Although geographical information systems (GIS) and remote sensing play an increasing role for monitoring of land degradation und soil erosion at regional and even global scale, the potential of large-scale aerial photography for the documentation and comprehension of geomorphological forms has as yet been little exploited. An important reason for this research deficiency is the lack of adequate image scales and resolutions. Highly dynamic processes of erosion and gully development cannot be mapped in detail from standard aerial photography or satellite imagery because neither spatial nor temporal resolution of this imagery corresponds to the process magnitudes and dynamics of gullies which require high resolution and flexible repeat rates. At the MoGul study sites, gully systems are monitored with aerial photography taken from unmanned platforms with remote controlled cameras. Both remote sensing systems were developed together with the staff of the technical workshop at the Faculty of Geosciences and Geography:

Aerial photographic survey with kite

Kite system
The kite system is used for photographic survey in windy conditions and flying heights up to approx. 200 m. The camera is suspended from a sledge-like gondola running on the kite line of a 6 m² rokkaku kite with a pulling capacity of up to 400 kg; it can be pulled up by a second line which runs through a pulley fixed about 10 m below the kite. The 35-mm single lens reflex camera is aligned and triggered by remote control. The cradle can be rotated horizontally and vertically by remote control to facilitate capture of both vertical and oblique photographs. Depending on focal lengths and flying height, image scales between 1:250 und 1:5 000 can be achieved.

Barranco Rojo near Botorrita, Province of Zaragoza (Spain); aerial photograph taken from blimp

Hot-air blimp of the Department of Physical Geography