The application of GIS has become fundamental in environmental studies since it allows the integration of heterogeneous data. Several applications of the GRASS GIS where the use of different data types leads to the realization of environmental models are presented. The GRASS GIS has been used to develop and test forest fire risk models combining several morphologic, vegetational and anthropic f...

This paper assesses the feasibility of forest cover mapping and the delineation of deforestation using Japanese Earth Resource Satellite (JERS-1) Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data. The assessment is carried out at five test sites in Germany (Thuringia), the UK (Kielder), Sweden (Remningstorp and Brattåker) and Russia (Chunsky). These temperate and boreal sites all have high forest cover, but ...

In this article, the setup and the application of an empirical model, based on Newton's law of cooling, capable to predict daily mean soil temperature (Tsoil) under vegetated surfaces, is described. The only input variable, necessary to run the model, is a time series of daily mean air temperature. The simulator employs 9 empirical parameters, which were estimated by inverse modeling. The model...

Wyoming big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata wyomingensis) treatments are often implemented to improve breeding habitat for greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus), a species of considerable conservation concern. In 2008 and 2009, we measured vegetation structure available to sage-grouse for breeding at 19 sites that were prescribed burned during 1990–1999 and 2000–2006, 6 sites that wer...

Defining "forest land" is a complex issue and has been discussed for decades. Today, a confusing multitude of definitions of forest land are in use making comparison of forest area figures difficult. But currently, comparability is receiving much attention when it comes to install market mechanisms for ecosystem services. Minimum crown cover is among the most frequently employed criteria of for...

An ex situ germplasm collection of the endangered Cycas micronesica was established in a transition zone between biodiverse native forest and mature stands of the invasive species Leucaena leucocephala. Soil chemical properties were determined for the 2 tree cover types to inform management decisions. Total carbon, total nitrogen, calcium, and net ammonification were greater in native forest co...

Dramatic political and economic changes in Eastern European countries following the dissolution of the “Eastern Bloc” and the collapse of the Soviet Union greatly affected land-cover and land-use trends. In particular, changes in forest cover dynamics may be attributed to the collapse of the planned economy, agricultural land abandonment, economy liberalization, and market conditions. However, ...

The Mau Forest Complex is Kenya's largest fragment of Afromontane forest, providing critical ecosystem services, and has been subject to intense land use changes since colonial times. It forms the upper catchment rivers that drain into major drainage networks, thus supporting livelihoods millions Kenyans important wildlife areas. We present results a sedimentological palynological analysis Late...