Virtual 3d Mapping and Analysis Using Remote Sensing Data and Photographs
With the rapid growth of urbanization, visualization in the three-dimensional aspect is getting more importance nowadays. 3D modeling and visualization techniques help in decision making process to understand the third dimensional features in cities. Planners, urban designers, landscape architects and other planning professionals use computerized vi-sualization techniques to encourage the participation of public in urban planning. Aerial and Satellite images can be used to generate 3D models, but they cannot give a realistic feel due to the absence of texture information. The objective of this study is to build a 3D model along with texture information using currently available software tools and to make it freely viewable for the public. High resolution satellite data are useful for 3D mapping and analysis. In the current study, field photographs and satellite images are used to create 3D database of few iconic buildings in Bangalore city. Satellite images are used to identify the georeferenced footprint of the buildings or features. The designing and creation of 3D database is carried out using Sketchup software tools. Texture information is added from the photographs to get a realistic feel of the 3D building. The 3D features are visualized in Arcscene using Digital Elevation Model (DEM) and orthorectified high resolution Satellite data. Further, techniques have been employed to generate a 3D cadastre prototype for visualization of vertical growth of buildings. Line of sight and shadow analysis was carried out using the 3D model analyst toolbar in Arcscene for understanding the potential of this technology for locating security cameras.
The usage of DEM to create the 3D cadastre
The article presents the analysis of possibilities of using the Digital Elevation (Surface) Models for creation of the 3D cadastre. The authors present the characteristics and meaning of the three-dimensional modelling of objects in the context of solving problems occurring with the traditional two-dimensional cadastre. The paper presents imperfections of the 2D cadastre and indicates possibilities of their removal based on altitude data acquired from the laser scanning. It determines the accuracy of data obtained with lidar techniques and indicates their limitations in specifying the exceeding. As a result of the carried out analysis and theoretical considerations, the authors have indicated the potential possibilities of the usage of Digital Surface (Elevation) Models for the construction of the three-dimensional cadastre system.
Indian Fig Cactus (Opuntia Ficus-Indica (L.) Miller) in the Americas: an Uncertain History
Abstract: 
 Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Miller is a globally important cactus species with a long history of human use. In addition to the importance of O. ficus-indica as a food for humans and livestock, it also has long served a role in the production of cochineal, a once important textile dye. This cactus also is intimately interwoven into the story of Cactoblastis cactorum (Berg) (South American cactus moth), one of the best-known examples of biological weed control. In this regard, O. ficus-indica has been a target weed as well as an unintended host in C. cactorum invasion. Although the distribution and human-assisted movement of this cactus throughout much of the world is well documented, surprisingly little has been written about its history and movement within the Americas. Literature associated with Opuntia and their phytophagous pests in North and South America was examined in an attempt to determine the history of O. ficus-indica in the Americas. Available information suggests with some certainty that O. ficus-indica originated in present-day Mexico, but the timing of its introduction to South America is much less clear. Taxonomic difficulties associated with distinguishing among Opuntia species and the long pre-Columbian history of exchange between South American and Mesoamerican cultures are two primary complicating factors associated with dating the dispersal of this species to South America. Additionally, previous evidence in support of a pre-Columbian introduction to South America relied on questionable identification of insect-based textile dyes. These uncertainties are significant because clearer knowledge of the history of O. ficus-indica introduction to South America could provide a more complete biological and ecological context to efforts at managing this species in its native and introduced ranges, particularly with respect to the threat posed by C. cactorum in North American and Argentinean plantations.