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Questions and Answers
What does RADAR stand for?
What is the slope when the height is constant and the distance is variable?
On what basis is a district typically divided?
What is defined as an area that drains through a common point or outlet?
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What should be the unit for planning natural resources?
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What is the primary focus of land use land cover (LULC) analysis?
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What characterizes a watershed?
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Why is it important to analyze LULC?
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What is a catchment area?
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How does the slope impact the watershed?
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What was the primary goal of the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM)?
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What is an example of natural land cover?
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What is the key difference between rural and urban land use?
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Study Notes
Land Use Land Cover
- Land Use (LU) refers to how people utilize the land and its resources.
- Land Cover (LC) refers to the physical material on the surface of the earth.
- It is important to understand how LC is being converted to LU because it can cause imbalances in the natural environment.
- Converting LC to LU can also contribute to natural hazards.
Why Understand Land Use Land Cover
- Understanding LULC is crucial because it helps us understand the status of land and how resources are being used.
- Land use can be planned effectively to ensure sustainable development.
History of Land Use Studies
- Discussions about land use and land cover started in developed countries in the mid-17th century.
- In the 90s, there was a revolution in planning, with a focus on creating master plans for sustainable development (such as smart cities).
- Models that prioritize greed over sustainability are not effective in the long-term.
Rural vs. Urban Areas
- There are significant differences in activities and lifestyles between rural and urban areas.
- People in rural areas have a more direct relationship with nature.
River Harvesting
- River harvesting is a technique used to increase groundwater levels.
- The goal is to slow down the flow of rivers and allow water to seep into the ground.
Water Resource Regions
- A water resource region is a geographical area used for managing and studying water resources.
- These regions are usually based on the drainage areas of major rivers or groups of rivers.
- Examples of water resource regions: Ganga and Brahmaputra.
Catchments
- A catchment is an area where water drains into a common point.
- Different catchments have distinct characteristics.
- Catchments can be nested within larger catchments.
Watersheds
- Watershed is a key term in resource management.
- A watershed is an area that drains through a common point or outlet.
- The division of water from high points is the basis for watershed planning.
- Watersheds are defined by:
- Mountain
- Hills
- Ridges (water gets parted here)
- The most important factor in defining watersheds is the slope.
- Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) are used to determine slopes.
DEMs (Digital Elevation Models)
- DEMs represent the elevation of the Earth's surface.
- Data is stored in raster format because elevation is not a discrete feature, and raster format allows us to see one feature at a time.
- Two major missions that have provided DEM data are:
- Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM)
- Aster Global Digital Elevation Model (GDEM)
Key Facts about DEMs
- SRTM was conducted aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour.
- SRTM's primary goal was to create high-resolution DEMs of the Earth's surface.
- Aster GDEM covers most of the world's population, extending from 56°S to 60°N.
RADAR
- RADAR stands for Radio Detection and Ranging.
- RADAR systems use radio waves to detect and locate objects.
- By analyzing echoes, RADAR determines distances, speeds, and directions of objects.
SRTM Data
- SRTM data is stored in raster format.
- The grid cells used in SRTM are 90m x 90m.
- DN (digital number) values in SRTM data represent elevation, not reflection.
Understanding Slope
- Slope is the rate of change of height with respect to distance.
- A 90-degree slope is a vertical fall (distance is 0).
- A 0-degree slope is a plain (height is 0).
Planning with Watersheds
- The size of a pixel and its elevation height are important factors in DEM data.
- Water flowing on a surface will follow the path of maximum slope.
- Watersheds are useful planning units for natural resources like land, water, and soil.
- Watershed units provide natural boundaries for resource management.
- Watersheds are a useful way to divide natural resources.
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Description
This quiz covers the concepts of Land Use (LU) and Land Cover (LC), highlighting their significance in understanding environmental imbalances and planning for sustainable development. It also touches on the historical evolution of land use studies and the differences between rural and urban areas. Test your knowledge on how these elements interact and affect our natural resources.
