An Inventory of Environmental Features in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica, and Their Recent Changes Using a Geographic Information System

摘要 该项目是新罕布什尔州大学、美国地质调查局、国际南极信息和研究中心以及地质和核科学研究所有限公司（新西兰）之间的合作努力。 该项目的目的是建立一个地理信息系统，描述1993- 1995年南极洲干旱河谷的情况。 为了确定该环境最近的自然变化，首席调查员将在地理信息系统中添加过去40年的十年环境信息。 研究区域由赖特谷、维多利亚谷和泰勒谷组成，将以1：50，000的比例绘制地图。 在研究区域内，将以1：10，000的比例对两个“超级站点”进行研究。 为了支持1993-95年的环境清单，该框架将得到显着加强。 将对整个研究区域的SPOT全色和Landsat专题制图仪进行校正和合并。 1：50，000的地形数据目前参照的是过时的天文数据，将更新为当前的WGS 84卫星数据。 将制作整个区域1：50 000和超级地点1：10 000的数字正射摄影地图。 这些地区的许多航空照片将被计算机化。 冰川和水文特征的数字底图将从卫星图像中提取，用于1：50 000的分析，从数字正射摄影图中提取，用于1：10 000的分析。 地质清查将采用遗传系统方法，汇编关于松散沉积物、基岩和地貌特征的地表和地下数据。 在冰川//水文融水摘要中，将汇编各种湖流和冰川属性，以量化冰川融水的产生和运输。 为了描述干旱河谷的变化，将把1983-85年、1972-74年和1957-59年的环境数据编入地理信息系统。 1973- 1974年和1983- 1985年的卫星图像将被校正并用于提供冰川和水文特征的底图。 在后一个时间间隔和1957-59年期间获得的相关航空摄影将被清点，并用于补充冰川和水文特征的表征。 在后一个时间间隔和1957-59年期间获得的相关航空摄影将被编目，并用于补充冰川和水文特征的表征。 四个时间段的比较将揭示过去四十年来研究区域的物理变化率。 这项研究将为干旱河谷的长期环境管理和短期环境影响评估奠定基础。 这项研究将导致增强的框架数据的数字可用性，包括地形，卫星图像和航空摄影。 它将建立一个南极科学数据储存库，增加科学家获得南极科学数据的机会，并改进科学管理。 最后，对干旱河谷近期变化的量化研究为南极气候变化研究做出了贡献。

Abstract This project is a collaborative effort among the University of New Hampshire, U.S. Geological Survey, International Center for Antarctic Information and Research (ICAIR), and the Institute for Geological and Nuclear Sciences Ltd. (New Zealand). The purpose of this project is to build a Geographic Information System (GIS) describing the of the Dry Valleys in Antarctica as it existed in 1993-95. To ascertain recent natural changes in this environment, the Principal Investigators will add to the GIS environmental information on a decadal over the preceding forty years. The study region, consisting of the Wright Valley, Victoria Valley, and Taylor Valley, will be mapped at a scale of 1:50,000. Inside the study area, two "supersites" will be studied at a scale of 1:10,000. To support the environmental inventory for 1993-95, the framework will be significantly enhanced. SPOT panchromatic and Landsat Thematic Mapper will be rectified and merged for the entire study region. Topographic data at the 1:50,000, currently referenced to an outdated astronomic datum, will be updated to the current WGS84 satellite datum. Digital orthophotographic maps at 1:50,000 for the entire region and 1:10,000 for the supersites, will be produced. Numerous aerial photographs of the regions will be computerized. Digital basemaps of glacier and hydrologic features will be derived from satellite imagery for the 1:50,000 analysis and from digital orthophotographic maps for the 1:10,000 analysis. The geological inventory will use a genetic systems approach to compile surface and subsurface data on unconsolidated sediments, bedrock, and geomorphic features. In the glacial//hydrological meltwater summary, various lake stream and glacier attributes will be compiled to quantify glacial meltwater production and transportation. To describe changes in the Dry Valleys, environmental data will be compiled into the GIS for 1983-85, 1972-74 and 1957-59. Satellite imagery for 1973-74 and 1983-85 will be rectified and used to provide basemaps of glacier and hydrologic features. Pertinent aerial photography acquired during the latter intervals and during 1957-59 will be inventoried and used to supplement the characterization of glacier and hydrologic features. Pertinent aerial photography acquired during the latter intervals and during 1957-59 will be inventoried and used to supplement the characterization of glacier and hyrdologic features. A comparison of four time periods will reveal physical rates of change in the study area over the past forty years. This research will provide a foundation for long-term environmental management of the Dry Valleys and short-term environmental impact assessments. This research will result in the digital availability of enhanced framework data including topography, satellite imagery, and aerial photography. It will establish an Antarctic scientific data repository that will increase the availability of Antarctic scientific data for scientists and for improved management of science. Finally, the quantification of recent change in the Dry Valleys constitutes a contribution the study of Antarctic climate change.