Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Construction of an Aeolian Sand Reactivation Index for the Thar Desert using eight-day MODIS data, with management implications

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Arabian Journal of Geosciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Maps of aeolian sand reactivation and wind erosion are needed for monitoring and amelioration of land degradation in Thar Desert. Conventionally, wind erosion is mapped here through visual observation of the patterns of sand colour on satellite image false colour composites (FCCs), which is highly subjective. We present here a satellite sensor–based digital mapping method for unbiased and reliable regional-scale monitoring. Called the ‘Aeolian Sand Reactivation Index with broadband emissivity’ (ASRI_bbe), the method exploits the surface reflectance and emissivity properties from MODIS sensors that are available as 8-day summaries. Reconstruction of the ASRI_bbe pattern in the desert from mid-March to mid-June during the years 2000 to 2011 revealed that the moderate to high reactivation areas mostly occur along some discreet WSW-ENE-oriented patches through the central part of the desert, that are driven by the dominant SW wind, which in turn appears to be related to the summer atmospheric turbulence over the region. A sharp rise in sand reactivation following a drought year, a gradual decline in the severity of sand reactivation over the mapping period, especially due to a fall in wind strength, and the growing signatures of a lull in activity during the first and/or the third week of May due to sporadic rains associated with the Western Disturbances, are the other major findings.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Anonymous (2007) Desertification and land degradation atlas of India. Space Applications Centre, Indian Space Research Organisation, Ahmedabad, 74p.

  • Anonymous (2010) Degraded and wastelands of India: status and spatial distribution. Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi, and National Academy Agricultural Sciences, New Delhi, 133p.

  • Anonymous (2016) Desertification and land degradation atlas of India (based on IRS AWiFS data of 2011–13 and 2003–05). Space Applications Centre, Indian Space Research Organisation, Ahmedabad, 219p.

  • Chen S, Ren H, Liu R, Tao Y, Zheng Y, Liu H (2021) Mapping sandy land using the new Sand Differential Emissivity Index from thermal infrared emissivity data. IEEE Trans Geosci Remote Sens 59(7):5464–5478

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cheng J, Liang S, Yao Y, Ren B, Shi L, Liu H (2014) A comparative study of three land surface broadband emissivity datasets from satellite data. Remote Sensing 6:111–134

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dong Z, Liu X, Wang H, Wang X (2003) Aeolian sand transport: a wind tunnel model. Sed Geol 161:71–83

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dong L, Hu J, Tang S, Min M (2013) Field validation of the GLASS land surface broadband emissivity database using pseudo-invariant sand dune sites in northern China. Int J Digit Earth 6:96–112

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Draper CS, Reichle RH, Koster RD (2018) Assessment of MERRA-2 land surface energy flux estimates. Journal of Climates 31:671–690

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gao M, Ding Y, Song S, Lu X, Chen X, McElroy MB (2018) Secular decrease of wind power potential in India associated with warming in the Indian Ocean. Science Advances 4: eaat5256.

  • Gillespie A (2014) Land surface emissivity. In: Njoku EG (ed) Encyclopedia of remote sensing. Springer, New York, pp 303–311

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Goudie AS (2014) Desert dust and human health disorders. Environ Int 63:101–113

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goudie AS, Middleton NJ (2000) Dust storms in South West Asia. Geographica 35(Supplement):73–83

    Google Scholar 

  • Hubbard BE, Hooper DM, Solano F, Mars JC (2018) Determining mineralogical variations of aeolian deposits using thermal infrared emissivity and linear deconvolution methods. Aeol Res 30:54–96

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huffman GJ, Behrangi A, Bolvin DT, Nelkin EJ (2022) GPCP version 3.2 satellite-gauge (SG) combined precipitation data set. Goddard Earth Sciences Data and Information Services Center (GES DISC), Greenbelt, Maryland, USA.

  • Hulley G, Hook SJ, Baldridge AM (2009) Validation of the North American ASTER land surface emissivity database (NAALSED) version 2.0 using pseudo-invariant sand dune sites. Remote Sens Environ 113:2224–2233

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hulley G, Veraverbeke S, Hook S (2014) Thermal-based techniques for land cover change detection using a new dynamic MODIS multispectral emissivity product (MOD21). Remote Sens Environ 140:755–765

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jaswal AK, Koppar AL (2013) Climatology and trends in near-surface wind speed over India during 1961–2008. Mausam 64:417–436

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kar A (1990) A stream trap hypothesis for the evolution of some saline lakes in the Indian Desert. Zeitschrift Fur Geomorphologie 34:37–47

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kar A (1993) Aeolian processes and bedforms in the Thar Desert. J Arid Environ 25:83–96

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kar A (1994) Sand dunes and their mobility in Jaisalmer district. In: Dikshit KR, Kale VS, Kaul MN (eds) India: Geomorphological Diversity. Rawat Publications, New Delhi, pp 395–418

    Google Scholar 

  • Kar A (1996) Morphology and evolution of sand dunes in the Thar Desert as key to sand control measures. Indian J Geomorphol 1:177–206

    Google Scholar 

  • Kar A (2005) Digital remote sensing of wind erosion in the Thar Desert. Indian J Geography 16:1–6

    Google Scholar 

  • Kar A (2011) Geoinformatics in spatial and temporal analysis of wind erosion in Thar Desert. In: Anbazhagan S, Subramanian SK, Yang X (eds) Geoinformatics in applied geomorphology. CRC Press, Boca Raton, pp 39–62

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Kar A (2012) GCM-derived future climate of arid western India and implications for land degradation. Ann Arid Zone 51:147–169

    Google Scholar 

  • Kar A (2013) Quantification of aeolian bedform and process parameters in Thar Desert for earth surface dynamics. Ann Arid Zone 52:181–207

    Google Scholar 

  • Kar A (2014) Agricultural land use in arid western Rajasthan: resource exploitation and emerging issues. Agropedology 24:179–196

    Google Scholar 

  • Kar A (2018) Desertification: causes and effects. In: Bartlett D, Singh RP (eds) Exploring natural hazards – a case study Approach. CRC Press, Boca Raton, USA, pp 159–205

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Kar A (2020) Quaternary aeolian landscape development in Thar Desert and its drivers. Proc Indian Nat Sci Acad 86(1):405–417

    Google Scholar 

  • Kar A (2014a a) The Thar or the Great Indian Sand Desert. In: Kale VS (ed) Landscapes and landforms of India. World Geomorphological Landscapes Series, Springer, Dordrecht, pp.79–90.

  • Kar A (2019) Measuring land degradation: a quantitative approach for better understanding of the problem in Thar Desert. In: Proceedings, 13th International Conference on Development of Drylands, Jodhpur. International Dryland Development Commission, Alexandria, and Arid Zone Research Association of India, Jodhpur, pp. 149–158.

  • Kar A (2022) Adaptation of the agri-based society to environmental changes in Thar Desert. In: Siddiqui AR, Sahay A (eds) Climate change, disaster and adaptations. Springer Nature Switzerland AG 151–171.

  • Kar A, Takeuchi K (2003) Towards an early warning system for desertification. In: Early warning systems. UNCCD Ad Hoc Panel, Committee on Science and Technology. UN Convention to Combat Desertification, Bonn, Germany, 37–72.

  • Kar A, Moharana PC, Raina P, Kumar M, Soni ML, Santra P, Ajai, Arya AS, Dhinwa PS (2009) Desertification and its control measures. In: Kar A, Garg BK, Kathju S, Singh MP (eds) Trends in arid zone research in India. Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Jodhpur, 1–47.

  • Lettau HH, Lettau K (1969) Bulk transport of sand by the barchans of the Pampa de La Joya in southern Peru. Zeitschrift Fur Geomorphologie 13:182–195

    Google Scholar 

  • Lillesand TM, Kiefer RW (1987) Remote sensing and image interpretation. John Wiley & Sons, New York, p 721

    Google Scholar 

  • Mathieu R, Pouget M, Cervellem B, Escadafal R (1998) Relationships between satellite-based radiometric indices simulated using laboratory reflectance data and typic soil color of an arid environment. Remote Sens Environ 66:17–28

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pandey SK, Vinoj V, Landu K, Babu S (2017) Declining pre-monsoon dust loading over South Asia: signature of a changing regional climate. Nat Sci Rep 7:16062. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-16338-w

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ramakrishna YS, Kar A, Rao AS, Singh RS (1994) Micro-climate and mobility of a barchan dune in the Thar Desert. Ann Arid Zone 33:203–214

    Google Scholar 

  • Rathore VS, Tanwar SPS, Kumar P, Yadav OP (2019) Integrated farming system: key to sustainability in arid and semi-arid regions. Indian J Agric Sci 89:181–192

    Google Scholar 

  • Ren H, Liang S, Yan G, Cheng J (2013) Empirical method to map global broadband emissivities over vegetated surfaces. IEEE Trans Geosci Remote Sens 51:2619–2631

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schmugge T, French A, Ritchie J, Rango A (2001) Estimation of surface emissivity for arid lands. Remote Sensing and Hydrology 2000. IAHS Publ 267:168–174

    Google Scholar 

  • Singh S, Kar A, Joshi DC, Ram B, Kumar S, Vats PC, Singh N, Raina P, Kolarkar AS, Dhir RP (1992) Desertification mapping in western Rajasthan. Ann Arid Zone 31:237–246

    Google Scholar 

  • Sur K, Singh RB, Arya AS, Chauhan P, Ajai, (2015) Remote sensing and GIS based modelling for wind erosion assessment in parts of Indian Thar Desert. J Geomatics 9:39–47

    Google Scholar 

  • Vautard R, Cattiaux J, Yiou P, Thepaut J-N, Ciais P (2010) Northern hemispheric stilling partly attributed to an increase in surface roughness. Nat Geosci 3:756–761

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Venkateswarlu J, Kar A (1996) Wind erosion and its control in arid north-west India. Ann Arid Zone 35:85–99

    Google Scholar 

  • Weksler S, Rozenstein O, Ben-Dor E (2018) Mapping surface quartz content in sand dunes covered by biological soil crusts using airborne hyperspectral images in the longwave infrared region. Minerals 8(8):318. https://doi.org/10.3390/min8080318

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wasson RJ, Nanninga PM (1986) Estimating wind transport of sand on vegetated surfaces. Earth Surf Proc Land 11:505–514

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xiao J, Shen Y, Tateishi R, Bayaer W (2006) Development of topsoil grain size index for monitoring desertification in arid land using remote sensing. Int J Remote Sens 27:2411–2422

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang Y, Li Z, Li J (2014) Comparison of emissivity observations from satellites and ground at the CRCS Dunhuang Gobi site. Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres 119. https://doi.org/10.1002/2014JD022216.

  • Zhou L, Dickinson RE, Ogawa K, Tian Y, Jin M, Schmugge T, Tsvetsinskaya E (2003) Relations between albedos and emissivities from MODIS and ASTER data over North African Desert. Geophys Res Lett 30(20):2026. https://doi.org/10.1029/2003GL018069

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

I am grateful to Professor Robert J Wasson of Australia for his kindly going through an earlier draft of this manuscript and for making several constructive suggestions.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Retired Principal Scientist & Head, Division of Natural Resources and Environment, Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Jodhpur, India

    Amal Kar

  2. Kolkata, India

    Amal Kar

Authors
  1. Amal Kar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Amal Kar.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

I hereby inform that the work reported here was carried out by me after retirement, with appropriate reference to the use of previous data and results, as generated by me and by other researchers. I also declare that there is no external funding and no financial or non-financial interests involved in this study. There are also no competing interests in the work.

Additional information

Responsible Editor: Stefan Grab

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Kar, A. Construction of an Aeolian Sand Reactivation Index for the Thar Desert using eight-day MODIS data, with management implications. Arab J Geosci 16, 530 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-023-11640-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-023-11640-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation