Heat Islands Using GIS
This article discusses how micro-urban heat maps are used and interpreted in Dallas, Texas. Heat islands are urban areas that produce a high level of temperature relative to it’s surroundings. The hypothesis expected before the map was created, was that the formation of the heat islands were caused mainly from the natural formation of trees. The more trees that cover a specific spot, a less amount of thermal energy should be detected. The article discusses how there are several ways that heat islands have been analyzed in the past, however satellite data is the most constructive for mapping urban versus rural destinations. In the analysis and mapping the researchers studied many areas including wooded areas, neighborhoods, and highways.
After this information was gathered, the image data were extracted and developed as an urban ground cover multispectral analysis. In conclusion of their experimentation and GIS mapping, hot spots in the White Rock Lake area were found to be in heat island patterns with warm temperatures remaining in the center and the cooler areas around the outside (excluding the lake). It was also noticed that these findings corresponded with the amount of asphalt and roads in the center of the area. Another conclusion was that tree-covered neighborhoods, roads, and buildings were cooler than newer areas that contained less shade provided by trees.
Aniello, C., Morgan, K., Busbey, A., & Newland, L. (1995). Mapping micro-urban heat islands using Landsat TM and a GIS. Computers & Geosciences, 21(8), 965969-967.
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After reading this article, I'm interested in what these heat maps are specifically used for. Would they possibly be used to measure amounts of pollution?
ReplyDeleteI agree with Ryan, I wonder why these maps are made and what they're used for. I would like to see a comparison of a heat islands map from the early 1900s to now, could see some interesting patterns.
ReplyDeleteThis seems like it could be a very interesting study. I wish that the map they chose was a little bit bigger or had labeled landmarks on it to better interpret the map.
ReplyDeleteI agree with P.J. the map is very hard to comprehend. A better, more clear map would be very beneficial, and would a lot to the article.
ReplyDelete