International Archives of Photograminetry and Remote Sensing. Vol. XXXII Part 7C2, UNISPACE III, Vienna. 1999 
112 
I5PR5 
UNISPACE 111 - ISPRS/EARSeL Workshop on 
“Remote Sensing for the Detection, Monitoring 
and Mitigation of Natural Disasters” 
2:30-5:30 pm, 22 July 1999, VIC Room B 
Vienna, Austria 
Warsaw, the European Space Agency delivered, free of charge, 
the ERS scenes covering the total extent of the Polish part of the 
Oder River. These images, after digital processing, were used 
for assessing the extent of flooding along the Oder River, by 
combining them with the digital land use data base created within 
the Corine project, winch is based on Landsat TM images. On 
the ERS images, the extent of water was interpreted and 
determined in digital form. Later, these results were overlaid on 
the Corine data base. This procedure allowed a detennination of 
the particular classes of land cover which were under water. In 
addition to maps indicating the extent of flooding, it was possible 
to determine the areas covered by the water within the 
administrative boundaries at different levels, that is, from the 
local lev el (so called gmina) through the regional level (so called 
voivodship) to the national level. These results and data 
constitute the only homogeneous information created during the 
flooding disaster in Poland. 
The most important role of remote methods is their application in 
the spatial information systems created for flood prediction, 
prevention and management. Currently, there is a lack of spatial 
information systems both in the particular countries and at an 
international level. To solve this problem the Institute of 
Geodesy and Cartography in Warsaw organized a workshop 
focused on this issue. Representatives of research institutes from 
the Czech Republic, Germany and the Netherlands were invited. 
This workshop was organized on 1st and 2nd September 1997 in 
Warsaw'. The invited experts represented both the institutions 
dealing with photograminetry and remote sensing and institutions 
responsible for water management. 
The main aim of this workshop was to exchange information 
regarding the actions performed during the flooding in the 
respective countries; and to discuss the necessary steps that 
should be undertaken to establish a homogeneous information 
system for the Oder River catclunent, which can be used for 
flood prevention and forecasting. As a result of this workshop, it 
was stated that the proposed system should be based on a 
homogeneous geodetic reference system in wdiich all terrain 
information collected by terrestrial, photogrammetric and remote 
sensing methods should be included. In addition to information 
on terrain topography and surface coverage, meteorological and 
hydrological data should be included. All these data can be used 
in the development of simulation models for forecasting flooding 
scenarios. 
During the workshop it was decided to create a joint research 
project focused on investigations and studies which should result 
in: 
(a) the most suitable and convenient methodology 
for integrating, updating and analysing 
information from different sources 
(b) creating a powerful data base as a core for the 
water management system. 
At the beginning of investigations, the required parameters and 
technical needs should be determined in cooperation with 
institutions responsible for water management, hydrotechnical 
construction, as well as the forest and agriculture specialists. 
The project will be carried out in several steps, commencing with 
the evaluation of existing data types and sources. Special 
attention will be paid to data processing and data integration 
w'ithin the information system. The proposed system will be 
checked and evaluated on two test areas along the Oder River. 
One area will be selected between the Czech Repub he and 
Poland, while the second area wall be on tire part of the Oder 
River on the boundary-’ between Germany and Poland. The results 
of this evaluation will be used for correction and further 
improvement of the proposed methods, techniques and strategies. 
The proposed project will also include training and transfer of 
knowledge to potential users. In the proposed project, the 
experience and results of similar projects undertaken in the 
Netherlands will be taken into consideration. Prof.Dr. Gottfried 
Konecnv from the University of Hannover in Germany w ; as 
selected as a coordinator of this project. 
THE ROLE OF REMOTE SENSING IN THE FORESTS’ 
FIRE DISASTERS 
Forest fires are to the most common disasters which occur on all 
continents, and the result in huge damage to the natural 
environment. For example, in Australia there are annually large 
foiest fires which affect hundred of thousands of hectares of 
forest, and are also very dangerous for tow'ns and settlements. In 
Europe there are large forest fires in southern France and in Italy. 
In Poland there are many forest fires each year. In 1992, more 
than 9,300 forest fires affecting 37,000 ha were registered. The 
main reason for the forest fires are the w'eather conditions and the 
influence of industries which cause environmentally detrimental 
conditions for forest stands. 
Remote sensing techniques and GIS systems can be used for: 
- prediction of the forest fire risk, 
- monitoring forest fires and their spatial 
extent, 
- inventory of the areas affected by fire and 
assessment of losses, 
- monitoring of recultivation and reforestation 
efforts. 
Surface temperature is very important in the prediction of the 
forest fires. Surface temperature information can be extracted 
from both remote sensing and meteorological satellite data. For 
example, the data collected in the medium- and far-infrared part 
of the electromagnetic spectrum can be used for determining tire 
surface temperature and soil moisture. Data collected by NOAA 
satellites can be used for determining surface temperature and its 
changes in consecutive days, as well as evaluation of soil 
moisture. This information is a valuable indicator of tire forest