Spatial modelling of wetness for the Antarctic Dry Valleys

This paper describes a method used to model relative wetness for part of the Antarctic Dry Valleys using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing. The model produces a relative index of liquid water availability using variables that influence the volume and distribution of water. Remo...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Polar Research
Main Authors: Glen Stichbury, Lars Brabyn, T.G. Allan Green, Craig Cary
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Norwegian Polar Institute 2011
Subjects:
GIS
water
Antarctica
remote sensing
Environmental sciences
GE1-350
Oceanography
GC1-1581
Antarctic
The Antarctic
Antarc*
Polar Research
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.3402/polar.v30i0.6330
https://doaj.org/article/c17a78cc816f4ef498086b07c592876a
Description
Summary:This paper describes a method used to model relative wetness for part of the Antarctic Dry Valleys using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing. The model produces a relative index of liquid water availability using variables that influence the volume and distribution of water. Remote sensing using Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) images collected over four years is used to calculate an average index of snow cover and this is combined with other water sources such as glaciers and lakes. This water source model is then used to weight a hydrological flow accumulation model that uses slope derived from Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) elevation data. The resulting wetness index is validated using three-dimensional visualization and a comparison with a high-resolution Advanced Land Observing Satellite image that shows drainage channels. This research demonstrates that it is possible to produce a wetness model of Antarctica using data that are becoming widely available.

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