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GIS-Based Spatial Analysis for Environmental Applications

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Civil Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 23 June 2025 | Viewed by 1493

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Engineering, University of Perugia, Via Duranti, 93, 06125 Perugia, PG, Italy
Interests: geomatics; remote sensing; GIS; photogrammetry; environmental monitoring
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Geospatial technologies are transforming the analysis and management of environmental challenges and this Special Issue aims to collect innovative research in geomatics that utilizes spatial data integration for environmental applications, with a particular focus on safety and emergency management.

Contributions will explore several applications, ranging from environmental monitoring to sustainable resource management, highlighting how advanced surveying methodologies contribute to enhancing decision-making in complex and dynamic scenarios. The integration of heterogeneous data sources—such as UAV imagery, LiDAR, satellite data, and in situ measurements—will be a central theme, emphasizing improvements in precision, accuracy, and real-time applicability.

Key objectives of this Special Issue include:

  • Advancing methodologies for spatial data collection, processing, and integration;
  • Presenting case studies that demonstrate the practical application of geospatial tools in addressing natural and anthropogenic hazards;
  • Developing innovative frameworks and solutions for improving disaster risk management and emergency response.

We invite researchers and practitioners in geomatics, remote sensing, UAV research, laser scanning, and related fields to contribute original research papers, theoretical analyses, and practical case studies. By encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration, this Special Issue aims to contribute to the development of more effective strategies for addressing pressing environmental and safety challenges.

Dr. Raffaella Brigante
Dr. Valerio Baiocchi
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Applied Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • GIS
  • geomatics
  • remote sensing
  • UAV
  • emergency management
  • spatial analysis
  • environmental monitoring
  • risk assessment

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

21 pages, 14494 KiB  
Article
GIS-Based Approach for Estimating Olive Tree Heights Using High-Resolution Satellite Imagery and Shadow Analysis
by Raffaella Brigante, Valerio Baiocchi, Roberto Calisti, Laura Marconi, Primo Proietti, Fabio Radicioni, Luca Regni and Alessandra Vinci
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(6), 3066; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15063066 - 12 Mar 2025
Viewed by 484
Abstract
Measuring tree heights is a critical step for assessing ecological and agricultural parameters, including biomass, carbon stock, and canopy volume. In extensive areas exceeding a few hectares, traditional terrestrial measurement methods are often prohibitively expensive in terms of time and cost. This study [...] Read more.
Measuring tree heights is a critical step for assessing ecological and agricultural parameters, including biomass, carbon stock, and canopy volume. In extensive areas exceeding a few hectares, traditional terrestrial measurement methods are often prohibitively expensive in terms of time and cost. This study introduces a GIS-based methodology for estimating olive tree (Olea europaea L.) heights using very-high-resolution (VHR) satellite imagery. The approach integrates a mathematical model that incorporates slope and aspect information derived in a GIS environment from a large-scale Digital Elevation Model. By leveraging sun position data embedded in satellite image metadata, a dedicated geometric model was developed to calculate tree heights. Comparative analyses with a drone-based 3D model demonstrated the statistical reliability of the proposed methodology. While this study focuses on olive trees due to their unique canopy structure, the method could also be applied to other tree species or even to buildings and other vertically developed structures on the ground. Future developments aim to enhance efficiency and usability through the creation of a specialized GIS tool, making it a valuable resource for environmental monitoring, sustainable agricultural management, and broader spatial analysis applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue GIS-Based Spatial Analysis for Environmental Applications)
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16 pages, 9275 KiB  
Article
Spatial Evolution Analysis of Tailings Flow from Tailings Dam Failure Based on MacCormack-TVD
by Lei Ma, Chao Zhang, Changkun Ma and Xueting Li
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(4), 1757; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15041757 - 9 Feb 2025
Viewed by 585
Abstract
Adopting an appropriate method to analyze the spatial evolution process of tailings flow after tailings dam failure can provide a rational assessment of the inundation range and evaluate the subsequent disaster. Simultaneously, it can offer a foundation for tailings pond construction and safety [...] Read more.
Adopting an appropriate method to analyze the spatial evolution process of tailings flow after tailings dam failure can provide a rational assessment of the inundation range and evaluate the subsequent disaster. Simultaneously, it can offer a foundation for tailings pond construction and safety management. This paper, focusing on a specific iron mine in Xiagao, Guangdong, establishes a three-dimensional simulation of the tailings pond based on the design drawings of the raised tailings pond. Utilizing the depth integral method as the theoretical basis, this research references parameter values obtained through model experiments for numerical simulation. Through the numerical simulation method, the study simulates the disaster range, flow, and spatial state of the tailings flow after a dam break. The tailings flow velocity and the depth of the flow in the affected areas are derived, demonstrating the disasters resulting from dam failure. Moreover, the feasibility of raising the tailings dam is evaluated. The assessment extends to the damage risk of tailings dam failure to critical downstream facilities and provides disaster prevention and control suggestions for high-risk situations. This study ultimately offers technical support for the prevention and control of tailings dam failure accidents and the advancement of mine safety production. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue GIS-Based Spatial Analysis for Environmental Applications)
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