Global cultivated land mapping at 30 m spatial resolution

Cultivated land is one of the most important types of land cover in the global mapping of land cover, and its variation influences economic development, food security, and ecological environment protection. Existing products of global cultivated land mapping have a low resolution, and high spatial resolution products are in demand. This study uses global remote sensing image datasets in 2000/2010 with a spatial resolution of 30 m (Landsat TM/ETM+, HJ-1), MODIS 250 m NDVI time-serial data, and many types of reference data. An three-layer extraction method based on pixels, objects, and knowledge (POK) was adopted to ease cultivated land extraction in global-scale 30 m images, i.e., cultivated land classification based on pixel-scale multi-feature optimization, cultivated land automatic identification based on objects, and interactive object processing based on information service and priori knowledge. Global 30 m cultivated land mapping was accomplished for the two reference years (2000 and 2010), and statistical analysis was conducted on the data. Results showed that the total cultivated land area was 1.903 billion ha and 1.960 billion ha, respectively. Accuracy assessments showed that overall accuracy of global cultivated land mapping are higher than 92% for both the two reference years. The global cultivated land products in 2000/2010 developed in this research are superior to their international counterparts in terms of spatial resolution and classification accuracy. They also provide significant basic data on global food security, ecological environment supervision, and global change.     

Object-oriented land cover classification using HJ-1 remote sensing imagery

The object-oriented information extraction technique was used to improve classification accuracy, and addressed the problem that HJ-1 CCD remote sensing images have only four spectral bands with moderate spatial resolution. We used two key techniques: the selection of optimum image segmentation scale and the development of an appropriate object-oriented information extraction strategy. With the principle of minimizing merge cost of merging neighboring pixels/objects, we used spatial autocorrelation index Moran’s I and the variance index to select the optimum segmentation scale. The Nearest Neighborhood (NN) classifier based on sampling and a knowledge-based fuzzy classifier were used in the object-oriented information extraction strategy. In this classification step, feature optimization was used to improve information extraction accuracy using reduced data dimension. These two techniques were applied to land cover information extraction for Shanghai city using a HJ-1 CCD image. Results indicate that the information extraction accuracy of the object-oriented method was much higher than that of the pixel-based method.     

High-resolution remote sensing mapping of global land water

Land water, one of the important components of land cover, is the indispensable and important basic information for climate change studies, ecological environment assessment, macro-control analysis, etc. This article describes the overall study on land water in the program of global land cover remote sensing mapping. Through collection and processing of Landsat TM/ETM+, China’s HJ-1 satellite image, etc., the program achieves an effective overlay of global multi-spectral image of 30 m resolution for two base years, namely, 2000 and 2010, with the image rectification accuracy meeting the requirements of 1:200000 mapping and the error in registration of images for the two periods being controlled within 1 pixel. The indexes were designed and selected reasonably based on spectral features and geometric shapes of water on the scale of 30 m resolution, the water information was extracted in an elaborate way by combining a simple and easy operation through pixel-based classification method with a comprehensive utilization of various rules and knowledge through the object-oriented classification method, and finally the classification results were further optimized and improved by the human-computer interaction, thus realizing high-resolution remote sensing mapping of global water. The completed global land water data results, including Global Land 30-water 2000 and Global Land 30-water 2010, are the classification results featuring the highest resolution on a global scale, and the overall accuracy of self-assessment is 96%. These data are the important basic data for developing relevant studies, such as analyzing spatial distribution pattern of global land water, revealing regional difference, studying space-time fluctuation law, and diagnosing health of ecological environment.     

Scale effects of leaf area index inversion based on environmental and disaster monitoring satellite data

The spatial distribution of sub-pixel components has an impact on retrieval accuracy, and should be accounted for when inverting a three-dimensional adiative transfer model to retrieve leaf area index (LAI). To investigate this effect, we constructed three realistic scenarios with the same LAI values and other properties, except that the simulated plants had different distributions. We implemented the radiosity method to subsequently produce synthetic bidirectional reflectance factor (BRF) datasets based upon these simulated scenes. The inversion was conducted using these data, which showed that spatial distribution affects retrieval accuracy. The inversion was also conducted for LAI based on charge-coupled device (CCD) data from the Environment and Disaster Monitor Satellite (HJ-1), which depicted both forest and drought-resistant crop land cover. This showed that heterogeneity in coarse-resolution remote sensing data is the main error source in LAI inversion. The spatial distribution of global fractal dimension index, which can be used to describe the area of sub-pixel components and their spatial distribution modes, shows good consistency with the coarse resolution LAI inversion error.     

基于太湖气溶胶类型分区的环境一号卫星CCD大气校正

由两颗卫星组成的环境卫星星座系统所提供的CCD数据具有较高的时间分辨率,使其在内陆湖泊水环境遥感监测中具有较大的应用潜力,对其有效的大气校正方法的研究则是其定量化参数反演的前提.基于准同步的MODIS数据辅助,根据气溶胶的差异性,将太湖划分为北部湖区、其他湖区两块区域,利用辐射传输模型,研究太湖环境一号CCD数据大气校正的方法,并对2009年4月17、21、25日数据进行大气校正.研究结果表明,该大气校正方法直接使用较为成熟的MODIS各类产品,克服了传统大气校正中依赖于现场同步测量大气参数的缺陷,能够快速、有效地完成环境一号CCD数据的大气校正.基于气溶胶类型对太湖进行分区后,所求算的遥感反射率精度高于6S模型和暗像元等大气校正方法得到的结果.     

Scale effects of leaf area index inversion based on environmental and disaster monitoring satellite data

The spatial distribution of sub-pixel components has an impact on retrieval accuracy, and should be accounted for when inverting a three-dimensional adiative transfer model to retrieve leaf area index (LAI). To investigate this effect, we constructed three realistic scenarios with the same LAI values and other properties, except that the simulated plants had different distributions. We implemented the radiosity method to subsequently produce synthetic bidirectional reflectance factor (BRF) datasets based upon these simulated scenes. The inversion was conducted using these data, which showed that spatial distribution affects retrieval accuracy. The inversion was also conducted for LAI based on charge-coupled device (CCD) data from the Environment and Disaster Monitor Satellite (HJ-1), which depicted both forest and drought-resistant crop land cover. This showed that heterogeneity in coarse-resolution remote sensing data is the main error source in LAI inversion. The spatial distribution of global fractal dimension index, which can be used to describe the area of sub-pixel components and their spatial distribution modes, shows good consistency with the coarse resolution LAI inversion error.

     

Aerosol optical depth retrieval by HJ-1/CCD supported by MODIS surface reflectance data

The high spatial resolution and temporal observation frequency of HJ-1/CCD make it suitable for aerosol monitoring. However, because of the lack of a shortwave infrared band, it is difficult to use HJ-1/CCD imagery to retrieve aerosol optical depth (AOD). We developed a new algorithm for HJ-1/CCD AOD retrieval by introducing MODIS surface reflectance outputs (MOD09) as support. In this algorithm HJ-1/CCD blue band surface reflectance was retrieved through MOD09 blue band surface reflectance by band matching of the two sensors. AOD at 550 nm was then generated through a pre-calculated look-up table for HJ-1/CCD. Eighteen HJ-1/CCD images covering the Jing-Jin-Tang (Beijing-Tianjin-Tangshan) region were used to retrieve AOD using the new algorithm, and the AODs were then validated using AERONET ground measurements in Beijing and Xianghe. The validation shows that compared with AERONET ground measurements, 27/29 AODs have error less than 0.1 in absolute value.     

Automatic mapping of snow cover depletion curves using optical remote sensing data under conditions of frequent cloud cover and temporary snow

Snow cover depletion curves are required for several water management applications of snow hydrology and are often difficult to obtain automatically using optical remote sensing data owing to both frequent cloud cover and temporary snow cover. This study develops a methodology to produce accurate snow cover depletion curves automatically using high temporal resolution optical remote sensing data (e.g. Terra Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), Aqua MODIS or National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR)) by snow cover change trajectory analysis. The method consists of four major steps. The first is to reclassify both cloud‐obscured land and snow into more distinct subclasses and to determine their snow cover status (seasonal snow cover or not) based on the snow cover change trajectories over the whole snowmelt season. The second step is to derive rules based on the analysis of snow cover change trajectories. These rules are subsequently used to determine for a given date, the snow cover status of a pixel based on snow cover maps from the beginning of the snowmelt season to that given date. The third step is to apply a decision‐tree‐like processing flow based on these rules to determine the snow cover status of a pixel for a given date and to create daily seasonal snow cover maps. The final step is to produce snow cover depletion curves using these maps. A case study using this method based on Terra MODIS snow cover map products (MOD10A1) was conducted in the lower and middle reaches of the Kaidu River Watershed (19 000 km²) in the Chinese Tien Shan, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China. High resolution remote sensing data (charge coupled device (CCD) camera data with 19·5 m resolution of the China and Brazil Environmental and Resources Satellite (CBERS) data (19·5 m resolution), and the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) data with 15 m resolution of the Terra) were used to validate the results. The study shows that the seasonal snow cover classification was consistent with that determined using a high spatial resolution dataset, with an accuracy of 87–91%. The snow cover depletion curves clearly reflected the impact of the variation of temperature and the appearance of temporary snow cover on seasonal snow cover. The findings from this case study suggest that the approach is successful in generating accurate snow cover depletion curves automatically under conditions of frequent cloud cover and temporary snow cover using high temporal resolution optical remote sensing data. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Aerosol optical depth retrieval by HJ-1/CCD supported by MODIS surface reflectance data

The high spatial resolution and temporal observation frequency of HJ-1/CCD make it suitable for aerosol monitoring. However, because of the lack of a shortwave infrared band, it is difficult to use HJ-1/CCD imagery to retrieve aerosol optical depth (AOD). We developed a new algorithm for HJ-1/CCD AOD retrieval by introducing MODIS surface reflectance outputs (MOD09) as support. In this algorithm HJ-1/CCD blue band surface reflectance was retrieved through MOD09 blue band surface reflectance by band matching of the two sensors. AOD at 550 nm was then generated through a pre-calculated look-up table for HJ-1/CCD. Eighteen HJ-1/CCD images covering the Jing-Jin-Tang (Beijing-Tianjin-Tangshan) region were used to retrieve AOD using the new algorithm, and the AODs were then validated using AERONET ground measurements in Beijing and Xianghe. The validation shows that compared with AERONET ground measurements, 27/29 AODs have error less than 0.1 in absolute value.

     

Spatial and temporal dust source variability in northern China identified using advanced remote sensing analysis

The aim of this research is to provide a detailed characterization of spatial patterns and temporal trends in the regional and local dust source areas within the desert of the Alashan Prefecture (Inner Mongolia, China). This problem was approached through multi‐scale remote sensing analysis of vegetation changes. The primary requirements for this regional analysis are high spatial and spectral resolution data, accurate spectral calibration and good temporal resolution with a suitable temporal baseline. Landsat analysis and field validation along with the low spatial resolution classifications from MODIS and AVHRR are combined to provide a reliable characterization of the different potential dust‐producing sources. The representation of intra‐annual and inter‐annual Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) trend to assess land cover discrimination for mapping potential dust source using MODIS and AVHRR at larger scale is enhanced by Landsat Spectral Mixing Analysis (SMA). The combined methodology is to determine the extent to which Landsat can distinguish important soils types in order to better understand how soil reflectance behaves at seasonal and inter‐annual timescales. As a final result mapping soil surface properties using SMA is representative of responses of different land and soil cover previously identified by NDVI trend. The results could be used in dust emission models even if they are not reflecting aggregate formation, soil stability or particle coatings showing to be critical for accurately represent dust source over different regional and local emitting areas. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Modelling the water balance of a mesoscale catchment basin using remotely sensed land cover data

Hydrological modelling of mesoscale catchments is often adversely affected by a lack of adequate information about specific site conditions. In particular, digital land cover data are available from data sets which were acquired on a European or a national scale. These data sets do not only exhibit a restricted spatial resolution but also a differentiation of crops and impervious areas which is not appropriate to the needs of mesoscale hydrological models. In this paper, the impact of remote sensing data on the reliability of a water balance model is investigated and compared to model results determined on the basis of CORINE (Coordination of Information on the Environment) Land Cover as a reference. The aim is to quantify the improved model performance achieved by an enhanced land cover representation and corresponding model modifications. Making use of medium resolution satellite imagery from SPOT, LANDSAT ETM+ and ASTER, detailed information on land cover, especially agricultural crops and impervious surfaces, was extracted over a 5-year period (2000–2004). Crop-specific evapotranspiration coefficients were derived by using remote sensing data to replace grass reference evapotranspiration necessitated by the use of CORINE land cover for rural areas. For regions classified as settlement or industrial areas, degrees of imperviousness were derived. The data were incorporated into the hydrological model GROWA (large-scale water balance model), which uses an empirical approach combining distributed meteorological data with distributed site parameters to calculate the annual runoff components. Using satellite imagery in combination with runoff data from gauging stations for the years 2000–2004, the actual evapotranspiration calculation in GROWA was methodologically extended by including empirical crop coefficients for actual evapotranspiration calculations. While GROWA originally treated agricultural areas as homogeneous, now a consideration and differentiation of the main crops is possible. The accuracy was determined by runoff measurements from gauging stations. Differences in water balances resulting from the use of remote sensing data as opposed to CORINE were analysed in this study using a representative subcatchment. Resulting Nash–Sutcliff model efficiencies improved from 0.372 to 0.775 and indicate that the enhanced model can produce thematically more accurate and spatially more detailed local water balances. However, the proposed model enhancements by satellite imagery have not exhausted the full potential of water balance modelling, for which a higher temporal resolution is required.     

A multi-resolution global land cover dataset through multisource data aggregation

Recent developments of 30 m global land characterization datasets(e.g., land cover, vegetation continues field) represent the finest spatial resolution inputs for global scale studies. Here, we present results from further improvement to land cover mapping and impact analysis of spatial resolution on area estimation for different land cover types. We proposed a set of methods to aggregate two existing 30 m resolution circa 2010 global land cover maps, namely FROM-GLC(Finer Resolution Observation and Monitoring-Global Land Cover) and FROM-GLC-seg(Segmentation), with two coarser resolution global maps on development, i.e., Nighttime Light Impervious Surface Area(NL-ISA) and MODIS urban extent(MODIS-urban), to produce an improved 30 m global land cover map—FROM-GLC-agg(Aggregation). It was post-processed using additional coarse resolution datasets(i.e., MCD12Q1, GlobCover2009, MOD44 W etc.) to reduce land cover type confusion. Around 98.9% pixels remain 30 m resolution after some post-processing to this dataset. Based on this map, majority aggregation and proportion aggregation approaches were employed to create a multi-resolution hierarchy(i.e., 250 m, 500 m, 1 km, 5 km, 10 km, 25 km, 50 km, 100 km) of land cover maps to meet requirements for different resolutions from different applications. Through accuracy assessment, we found that the best overall accuracies for the post-processed base map(at 30 m) and the three maps subsequently aggregated at 250 m, 500 m, 1 km resolutions are 69.50%, 76.65%, 74.65%, and 73.47%, respectively. Our analysis of area-estimation biases for different land cover types at different resolutions suggests that maps at coarser than 5 km resolution contain at least 5% area estimation error for most land cover types. Proportion layers, which contain precise information on land cover percentage, are suggested for use when coarser resolution land cover data are required.     

Remote sensing application system for water environments developed for Environment Satellite 1

Remote sensing data collected by the Environment Satellite I are characterized by high temporal resolution, high spectral resolution and mid-high spatial resolution. We designed the Remote Sensing Application System for Water Environments (RSASWE) to create an integrated platform for remote sensing data processing, parameter information extraction and thematic mapping using both remote sensing and GIS technologies. This system provides support for regional water environmental monitoring, and prediction and warning of water pollution. Developed to process and apply data collected by Environment Satellite I, this system has automated procedures including clipping, observation geometry computation, radiometric calibration, 6S atmospheric correction and water quality parameter inversion. RSASWE consists of six subsystems: remote sensing image processing, basic parameter inversion, water environment remote sensing thematic outputs, application outputs, automated water environment outputs and a non-point source pollution monitoring subsystem. At present RSASWE plays an important role in operations at the Satellite Environment Center.     

Climate effects of the GlobeLand30 land cover dataset on the Beijing Climate Center climate model simulations

Land cover is one of the most basic input elements of land surface and climate models. Currently, the direct and indirect effects of land cover data on climate and climate change are receiving increasing attentions. In this study, a high resolution (30 m) global land cover dataset (GlobeLand30) produced by Chinese scientists was, for the first time, used in the Beijing Climate Center Climate System Model (BCC_CSM) to assess the influences of land cover dataset on land surface and climate simulations. A two-step strategy was designed to use the GlobeLand30 data in the model. First, the GlobeLand30 data were merged with other satellite remote sensing and climate datasets to regenerate plant functional type (PFT) data fitted for the BCC_CSM. Second, the up-scaling based on an area-weighted approach was used to aggregate the fine-resolution GlobeLand30 land cover type and area percentage with the coarser model grid resolutions globally. The GlobeLand30-based and the BCC_CSM-based land cover data had generally consistent spatial distribution features, but there were some differences between them. The simulation results of the different land cover type dataset change experiments showed that effects of the new PFT data were larger than those of the new glaciers and water bodies (lakes and wetlands). The maximum value was attained when dataset of all land cover types were changed. The positive bias of precipitation in the mid-high latitude of the northern hemisphere and the negative bias in the Amazon, as well as the negative bias of air temperature in part of the southern hemisphere, were reduced when the GlobeLand30-based data were used in the BCC_CSM atmosphere model. The results suggest that the GlobeLand30 data are suitable for use in the BCC_CSM component models and can improve the performance of the land and atmosphere simulations.     

基于多源卫星数据的小型水体蓝藻水华联合监测——以天津于桥水库为例

近年来水体富营养化呈扩张趋势,蓝藻水华不仅在太湖等大型湖泊频发,水面面积较小的天津于桥水库等也形势严峻,亟需加强卫星遥感监测.但是,以往在太湖等业务化使用非常成功的MODIS等卫星数据(约500 m),由于空间分辨率较低,难以满足小型水体的监测要求;而Landsat-8等空间分辨率较高的卫星数据(30 m),通常重返周期较长,无法满足水华高频监测需求.本文以天津市于桥水库(面积约80 km2)为研究区,针对常用的卫星数据,从空间、时间、光谱范围和数据可获取性共4个方面,评价不同卫星数据蓝藻水华监测能力和算法,同时对不同卫星监测结果一致性进行评估.结果表明:(1)筛选出国产HJ-1A\B CCD、GF-1 WFV和美国Landsat-8 OLI这3种卫星波段合适,空间分辨率较高,适用于桥水库蓝藻水华监测,但考虑到其重返周期较长,建议多星联合观测;(2)各个卫星监测结果与卫星影像目视解译结果基本一致,均方根误差和相对误差均分别控制在0.78 km2和4.9%以内;(3)不同卫星监测结果一致性良好,一致性精度达到99.5%;(4)根据历史影像结果,发现于桥水库2016年水质开始呈富营养化,藻华现象在夏、秋两季最为严重.研究表明,针对小型水面水体蓝藻水华监测,利用较高分辨率数据联合监测,是一种有效的替代策略,今后可在更多小型水域推广.     

When does spatial resolution become spurious in probabilistic flood inundation predictions?

Advances in remote sensing have enabled hydraulic models to run at fine scale resolutions, producing precise flood inundation predictions. However, running models at finer resolutions increase their computational expense, reducing the feasibility of running the multiple model realizations required to undertake uncertainty analysis. Furthermore, it is possible that precision gained by running fine scale models is smoothed out when treating models probabilistically. The aim of this paper is to determine the level of spatial complexity that is required when making probabilistic flood inundation predictions. The Imera basin, Sicily is used as a case study to assess how changing the spatial resolution of the hydraulic model LISFLOOD‐FP impacts on the skill of conditional probabilistic flood inundation maps given model parameter and boundary condition uncertainties. We find that model performance deteriorates at resolutions coarser than 50 m. This is predominantly caused by changes in flow pathways at coarser resolutions which lead to non‐stationarity in the optimum model parameters at different spatial resolutions. However, although it is still possible to produce probabilistic flood maps that contain a coherent outline of the flood extent at coarser resolutions, the reliability of these maps deteriorates at resolutions coarser than 100 m. Additionally, although the rejection of non‐behavioural models reduces the uncertainty in probabilistic flood maps the reliability of these maps is also reduced. Models with resolutions finer than 50 m offer little gain in performance yet are more than an order of magnitude computationally expensive which can become infeasible when undertaking probabilistic analysis. Furthermore, we show that using deterministic, high‐resolution flood maps can lead to a spurious precision that would be misleading and not representative of the overall uncertainties that are inherent in making inundation predictions. Copyright © 2015 The Authors Hydrological Processes Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.     

Regional‐scale mapping of groundwater discharge zones using thermal satellite imagery

Mapping groundwater discharge zones at broad spatial scales remains a challenge, particularly in data sparse regions. We applied a regional scale mapping approach based on thermal remote sensing to map discharge zones in a complex watershed with a broad diversity of geological materials, land cover and topographic variation situated within the Prairie Parkland of northern Alberta, Canada. We acquired winter thermal imagery from the USGS Landsat archive to demonstrate the utility of this data source for applications that can complement both scientific and management programs. We showed that the thermally determined potential discharge areas were corroborated with hydrological (spring locations) and chemical (conservative tracers of groundwater) data. This study demonstrates how thermal remote sensing can form part of a comprehensive mapping framework to investigate groundwater resources over broad spatial scales. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

环境一号卫星高光谱遥感数据的内陆水质监测适宜性——以巢湖为例

环境一号星座的A星(HJ-1A)上搭载了超光谱成像仪(HSI),它是具有高光谱分辨率的全新国产遥感数据源,为水质遥感特别是内陆水质遥感提供了新的高光谱数据.但HSI影像的处理方法尚不完善,在广泛应用于水质遥感前对其进行质量研究和评价非常必要.本文针对HSI数据在巢湖水质监测应用方面的适宜性,对信噪比和数据真实性、倾斜条...     

基于夜间多时相遥感数据的热异常与地震的相关性

本文使用第二代欧洲气象卫星MSG搭载的SEVIRI传感器数据,基于卫星数据稳健分析技术提取了意大利地区2015—2017年间的三次热异常,并在此基础上增加热异常的判定条件,利用静止气象卫星的高时间分辨率特性,基于夜间多时相遥感数据探究热异常与地震的相关性.结果显示:通过夜间多时相遥感数据均值可更清晰地展示出研究区热异常...     

基于尺度分析的断层热信息遥感图像增强方法——以江山—绍兴断裂金衢段为例

根据热红外遥感影像上断层热信息具有特征几何尺寸的特点,以断层系统热信息分析为目标,提出了一种基于尺度分析的断层热信息遥感图像增强方法.在江山—绍兴断裂金衢段的实际工作中,通过断层两侧地表高温区域尺度分析、特征尺度网格抽样和样本插值成图等步骤,有效地降低了背景干扰,客观地描述了研究区与断层相关的热信息的空间分布形态及特征.多种尺度分析结果表明,在9 km2特征尺度上,断层热信息特征规律明显：地表高温区域沿北东走向的江山—绍兴断裂带和常山—漓渚断裂带两侧分布,呈线性特征;在淳安—温州断裂带与衢州—天台断裂带交叉位置地表温度较高.研究结果经实测资料验证,基本特征与实测资料相符.