Mixed effects regression for snow distribution modelling in the central Yukon

dc.comment.hiddenThank you for reviewing this document. I would be happy for any comments or advice.en
dc.contributor.authorKasurak, Andrew
dc.date.accessioned2010-01-05T20:27:47Z
dc.date.available2010-01-05T20:27:47Z
dc.date.issued2010-01-05T20:27:47Z
dc.date.submitted2009
dc.description.abstractTo date, remote sensing estimates of snow water equivalent (SWE) in mountainous areas are very uncertain. To test passive microwave algorithm estimations of SWE, a validation data set must exist for a broad geographic area. This study aims to build a data set through field measurements and statistical techniques, as part of the Canadian IPY observations theme to help develop an improved algorithm. Field measurements are performed at, GIS based, pre-selected sites in the Central Yukon. At each location a transect was taken, with sites measuring snow depth (SD), density, and structure. A mixed effects multiple regression was chosen to analyze and then predict these field measurements over the study area. This modelling strategy is best capable of handling the hierarchical structure of the field campaign. A regression model was developed to predict SD from elevation derived variables, and transformed Landsat data. The final model is: SD = horizontal curvature + cos( aspect) + log10(elevation range, 270m) + tassel cap: greenness, brightness (from Landsat imagery) + interaction of elevation and landcover.This model is used to predict over the study area. A second, simpler regression links SD with density giving the desired SWE measurements. The Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) of this SD estimation is 25 cm over a domain of 200 x 200 km. This instantaneous end of season, peak accumulation, snow map will enable the vali- dation of satellite remote sensing observations, such as passive microwave (AMSR-E), in a generally inaccessible area.en
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10012/4896
dc.language.isoenen
dc.pendingfalseen
dc.publisherUniversity of Waterlooen
dc.subjectStatisticsen
dc.subjectSnowen
dc.subjectSnow water equivalenten
dc.subjectRemote sensingen
dc.subjectMixed effects modelen
dc.subjectyukonen
dc.subjectmountainen
dc.subjectborealen
dc.subjectregressionen
dc.subjectmodelen
dc.subjectsnow distributionen
dc.subjectnet accumulationen
dc.subject.programGeographyen
dc.titleMixed effects regression for snow distribution modelling in the central Yukonen
dc.typeMaster Thesisen
uws-etd.degreeMaster of Environmental Studiesen
uws-etd.degree.departmentGeographyen
uws.peerReviewStatusUnrevieweden
uws.scholarLevelGraduateen
uws.typeOfResourceTexten

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