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

该项目是新汉普郡大学、美国地质调查局、国际南极信息与研究中心(ICAIR)和新西兰地质与核科学研究所共同努力的成果。该项目的目的是建立一个地理信息系统(地理信息系统)，描述1993-1995年南极洲干旱山谷的状况。为了确定这种环境最近的自然变化，首席调查员将向地理信息系统添加过去40年来十年来的环境信息。研究区域由莱特山谷、维多利亚山谷和泰勒山谷组成，将以1：50,000的比例绘制地图。在研究区域内，将按1：1万的比例研究两个“超级站点”。为配合一九九三至九五年度的环境清单，该架构将会大大改善。将对整个研究区的SPOT全色和陆地卫星专题地图进行校正和合并。目前参照过时天文基准面的1：50,000的地形数据将更新为当前的WGS84卫星基准面。将制作全区1：50 000和超级站点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。将从用于1：50 000分析的卫星图像和用于1：10 000分析的数字正射摄影地图得出冰川和水文特征的数字底图。地质调查将使用遗传系统方法来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，将汇编各种湖泊河流和冰川属性，以量化冰川融水的生产和运输。为了描述干旱河谷的变化，将把1983-85年、1972-74年和1957-59年的环境数据汇编到地理信息系统中。将对1973-74年和1983-85年的卫星图像进行校正，以提供冰川和水文特征的底图。在后一时期和1957-59年期间获得的相关航空摄影将被编入清单，用于补充冰川和水文特征的特征。在后一时期和1957-59年期间获得的相关航空摄影将被编入清单，并用于补充冰川和水文特征的特征。四个时间段的比较将揭示研究区域在过去40年中的物理变化速度。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提供基础。这项研究将导致增强框架数据的数字化，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，为科学家提供更多的南极科学数据，并改进科学管理。最后，对干旱河谷近期变化的量化是对南极气候变化研究的贡献。

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 Topographic data at the 1:50,000, currently referenced to an outdated astronomic datum, will be updated to the current WGS84 satellite datum.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.