Evaluation of the runoff potential in high relief semi-arid regions using remote sensing data: application to Bolivia

• Published in: International journal of remote sensing Vol. 25; no. 2; pp. 423 - 435
• Main Authors: Ouattara, T., Gwyn, Q. H. J., Dubois, J.-M. M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Abingdon Taylor & Francis Group 01.01.2004; Taylor and Francis
• Subjects: Applied geophysics; Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Exact sciences and technology; Hydrology; Hydrology. Hydrogeology; Internal geophysics; Bolivia; South America; mountains; Thematic Mapper; atmospheric precipitation; Spot; Space remote sensing; Landsat; data processing; runoff; cartography; classification; drainage basins; synthetic aperture radar; interpretation; imagery; semi-arid environment; methodology; land cover
• ISSN: 0143-1161; 1366-5901
• DOI: 10.1080/0143116031000102421

The objective of this study is to develop a methodology based on the combined use of optical and radar images for evaluating the runoff potential in high relief, semi-arid environments. We present a method based on the use of multisource satellite images (RADARSAT-1 SAR, Landsat-7 ETM + and SPOT-4 HRV) for determining land use and the vegetation cover ratio in order to evaluate the runoff potential in Bolivia. Various band combinations provide classification rates greater than 80% for the mapping of land use. Basically, in over 83% of the watershed, the runoff potential is greater than 0.5 on a scale from 0 to 1. Résumé.La contribution fondamentale de l'étude est le développement d'une méthodologie permettant l'utilisation conjointe d'images optique et radar dans l'évaluation du potentiel de ruissellement en milieu semi-aride de forte énergie de relief. Nous avons conçu une méthode d'exploitation d'images satellitaires multisources (RSO de RADARSAT-1, ETM + de Landsat-7 et HRV de SPOT-4) afin d'évaluer le potentiel de ruissellement en Bolivie. Plusieurs combinaisons de bandes donnent des taux de classification supérieurs à 80% pour la cartographie de l'occupation du sol. Sur 83% du bassin, le potentiel de ruissellement est supérieur à 0.5 sur un maximum de 1.