Landsat 8 vs. Landsat 5: A comparison based on urban and peri-urban land cover mapping

An image dataset from the Landsat OLI spaceborne sensor is compared with the Landsat TM in order to evaluate the excellence of the new imagery in urban landcover classification. Widely known pixel-based and object-based image analysis methods have been implemented in this work like Maximum Likelihood, Support Vector Machine, k-Nearest Neighbor, Feature Analyst and Sub-pixel. Classification results from Landsat OLI provide more accurate results comparing to the Landsat TM. Object-based classifications produced a more uniform result, but suffer from the absorption of small rare classes into large homogenous areas, as a consequence of the segmentation, merging and the spatial parameters in the spatial resolution (30 m) of Landsat images. Based exclusively on the overall accuracy reports, the SVM pixel-based classification from Landsat 8 proved to be the most accurate for the purpose of mapping urban land cover, using medium spatial resolution imagery.     

遥感影像决策级融合方法实验研究

遥感影像融合是遥感图像处理中的研究热点和难点之一。对下列两种遥感影像决策级融合方法进行了实验研究:一种是基于支持向量机(SVM),另一种是基于自组织神经网络。融合实验分别采用这两种方法对Landsat TM多光谱数据(30 m/像素)与IRS-C全色数据(5.8 m/像素)间分别进行影像融合。融合结果表明:基于SVM的方法可有效地融合不同影像的信息,并且可获得较高的融合分类精度。在分类精度方面,基于SVM方法的融合影像明显优于基于自组织神经网络方法的融合影像。     

A Novel Remote Sensing Image Classification Scheme Based on Data Fusion, Multiple Features and Ensemble Learning

In this paper, we propose a novel scheme to improve the accuracy of remote sensing image classification by integrating data fusion, multiple feature combination and ensemble learning. Intensity-Hue-Saturation (IHS), Gram-Schmidt (GS), Brovey and wavelet fusion methods are first performed to obtain the optimal fusion images of high resolution and multispectral images. Support Vector Machine (SVM) classifier is then adopted to classify the fused image with different feature sets, and ensemble learning algorithm based on dynamic classifier selection (DCS) is finally used to integrate multiple classification maps. The proposed classification scheme is implemented with three remote sensing data sets, obtaining the highest overall accuracy and kappa coefficient in all cases (92.63% and 0.8917 for BJ-1 data set, 81.89% and 0.7513 for Landsat TM and SPOT4 data set, 92.21% and 0.8838 for ALOS data set respectively). The experimental results show that the integration of data fusion, feature combination and ensemble learning improves the classification performance obviously and has great potential in practical uses.     

High spatial resolution image object classification for terrestrial oil spill contamination mapping in West Siberia

This work is a part of the OSCaR pilot study (Oil Spill Contamination mapping in Russia). A synergetic concept for an object based and multi temporal mapping and classification system for terrestrial oil spill pollution using a test area in West Siberia is presented. An object oriented image classification system is created to map contaminated soils, vegetation and changes in the oil exploration well infrastructure in high resolution data. Due to the limited spectral resolution of Quickbird data context information and image object structure are used as additional features building a structural object knowledge base for the area. The distance of potentially polluted areas to industrial land use and infrastructure objects is utilized to classify crude oil contaminated surfaces. Additionally the potential of Landsat data for dating of oil spill events using change indicators is tested with multi temporal Landsat data from 1987, 1995 and 2001. OSCaR defined three sub-projects: (1) high resolution mapping of crude oil contaminated surfaces, (2) mapping of industrial infrastructure change, (3) dating of oil spill events using multi temporal Landsat data. Validation of the contamination mapping results has been done with field data from Russian experts provided by the Yugra State University in Khanty-Mansiyskiy. The developed image object structure classification system has shown good results for the severely polluted areas with good overall classification accuracy. However it has also revealed the need for direct mapping of hydrocarbon substances. Oil spill event dating with Landsat data was very much limited by the low spatial resolution of Landsat TM 5 data, small scale character of oil spilled surfaces and limited information about oil spill dates.     

Evaluating SAR polarization modes at L-band for forest classification purposes in Eastern Amazon,Brazil

Single, interferometric dual, and quad-polarization mode data were evaluated for the characterization and classification of seven land use classes in an area with shifting cultivation practices located in the Eastern Amazon (Brazil). The Advanced Land-Observing Satellite (ALOS) Phased Array L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (PALSAR) data were acquired during a six month interval. A clear-sky Landsat-5/TM image acquired at the same period was used as additional ground reference and as ancillary input data in the classification scheme. We evaluated backscattering intensity, polarimetric features, interferometric coherence and texture parameters for classification purposes using support vector machines (SVM) and feature selection. Results showed that the forest classes were characterized by low temporal backscattering intensity variability, low coherence and high entropy. Quad polarization mode performed better than dual and single polarizations but overall accuracies remain low and were affected by precipitation events on the date and prior SAR date acquisition. Misclassifications were reduced by integrating Landsat data and an overall accuracy of 85% was attained. The integration of Landsat to both quad and dual polarization modes showed similarity at the 5% significance level. SVM was not affected by SAR dimensionality and feature selection technique reveals that co-polarized channels as well as SAR derived parameters such as Alpha-Entropy decomposition were important ranked features after Landsat’ near-infrared and green bands. We show that in absence of Landsat data, polarimetric features extracted from quad-polarization L-band increase classification accuracies when compared to single and dual polarization alone. We argue that the joint analysis of SAR and their derived parameters with optical data performs even better and thus encourage the further development of joint techniques under the Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD) mechanism.     

Texture classification of Mediterranean land cover

Maximum likelihood (ML) and artificial neural network (ANN) classifiers were applied to three Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) image sub-scenes (termed urban, agricultural and semi-natural) of Cukurova, Turkey. Inputs to the classifications comprised (i) spectral data and (ii) spectral data in combination with texture measures derived on a per-pixel basis. The texture measures used were: the standard deviation and variance and statistics derived from the co-occurrence matrix and the variogram. The addition of texture measures increased classification accuracy for the urban sub-scene but decreased classification accuracy for agricultural and semi-natural sub-scenes. Classification accuracy was dependent on the nature of the spatial variation in the image sub-scene and, in particular, the relation between the frequency of spatial variation and the spatial resolution of the imagery. For Mediterranean land, texture classification applied to Landsat TM imagery may be appropriate for the classification of urban areas only.     

基于地统计学的图像纹理在岩性分类中的应用

纹理是遥感图像的重要特征,它揭示了图像中辐射亮度值空间变化的重要信息。本文运用地统计学中的对数变差函数计算图像纹理,并与图像的光谱信息结合,进行图像岩性分类,分析了不同大小窗口纹理信息对分类精度的影响。结果表明,运用地统计学原理进行图像分类,可大大提高图像的分类精度;采用较大窗口提取的纹理信息参与分类能使总体分类精度提高,但某些岩性类的分类精度有所下降,建议在实际应用中,根据具体情况选择窗口的大小。     

Burned area mapping and post-fire impact assessment in the Kassandra peninsula (Greece) using Landsat TM and Quickbird data

The purpose of this study was to assess the environmental impacts of forest fires on part of the Mediterranean basin. The study area is on the Kassandra peninsula, prefecture of Halkidiki, Greece. A maximum likelihood supervised classification was applied to a post-fire Landsat TM image for mapping the exact burned area. Land-cover types that had been affected by fire were identified with the aid of a CORINE land-cover type layer. Results showed an overall classification accuracy of 95%, and 83% of the total burned area was ‘forest areas’. A normalized difference vegetation index threshold technique was applied to a post-fire Quickbird image which had been recorded six years after the fire event to assess the vegetation recovery and to identify the vegetation species that were dominant in burned areas. Four classes were identified: ‘bare soil’, ‘sparse shrubs’, ‘dense shrubs’ and ‘tree and shrub communities’. Results showed that ‘shrublands’ is the main vegetation type which has prevailed (65%) and that vegetation recovery is homogeneous in burned areas.     

A support vector machine classifier based on a new kernel function model for hyperspectral data

The kernel function is a key factor to determine the performance of a support vector machine (SVM) classifier. Choosing and constructing appropriate kernel function models has been a hot topic in SVM studies. But so far, its implementation can only rely on the experience and the specific sample characteristics without a unified pattern. Thus, this article explored the related theories and research findings of kernel functions, analyzed the classification characteristics of EO-1 Hyperion hyperspectral imagery, and combined a polynomial kernel function with a radial basis kernel function to form a new kernel function model (PRBF). Then, a hyperspectral remote sensing imagery classifier was constructed based on the PRBF model, and a genetic algorithm (GA) was used to optimize the SVM parameters. On the basis of theoretical analysis, this article completed object classification experiments on the Hyperion hyperspectral imagery of experimental areas and verified the high classification accuracy of the model. The experimental results show that the effect of hyperspectral image classification based on this PRBF model is apparently better than the model established by a single global or local kernel function and thus can greatly improve the accuracy of object identification and classification. The highest overall classification accuracy and kappa coefficient reached 93.246% and 0.907, respectively, in all experiments.     

Landsat TM遥感影像中厚云和阴影去除

提出了一种新的利用多时相Landsat TM影像数据进行的厚云及其阴影去除的方法。该方法通过分析厚云及其阴影的光谱特征, 设计了厚云和云阴影识别模型。该算法的实现是采用图像配准技术、非监督分类、像元替换等运算, 计算出厚云和云阴影区域的TM影像替换数据, 进而得到消除或者减少云影响的TM遥感影像。试验结果表明本文提出的厚云及其阴影去除方法效果很好, 能消除或者弱化云对TM影像数据的影响。     

Lightning flash mensuration using video from the space shuttle Columbia (STS‐32)

Abstract

Environmental data are often utilized to guide interpretation of spectral information based on context, however, these are also important in deriving vegetation maps themselves, especially where ecological information can be mapped spatially. A vegetation classification procedure is presented which combines a classification of spectral data from Landsat‐5 Thematic Mapper (TM) and environmental data based on topography and fire history. These data were combined utilizing fuzzy logic where assignment of each pixel to a single vegetation category was derived comparing the partial membership of each vegetation category within spectral and environmental classes. Partial membership was assigned from canopy cover for forest types measured from field sampling. Initial classification of spectral and ecological data produced map accuracies of less than 50% due to overlap between spectrally similar vegetation and limited spatial precision for predicting local vegetation types solely from the ecological information. Combination of environmental data through fuzzy logic increased overall mapping accuracy (70%) in coniferous forest communities of northwestern Montana, USA.     

Evaluation of Landsat TM data for forest cover type and landuse classification in subtropical forests of Kumaon Himalaya (U.P.)

LANDSAT-TM has been evaluated for forest cover type and landuse classification in subtropical forests of Kumaon Himalaya (U.P.) Comparative evaluation of false colour composite generated by using various band combinations has been made. Digital image processing of Landsat-TM data on VIPS-32 RRSSC computer system has been carried out to stratify vegetation types. Conventional band combination in false colour composite is Bands 2, 3 and 4 in Red/Green/Blue sequence of Landsat TM for landuse classification. The present study however suggests that false colour combination using Landsat TM bands viz., 4, 5 and 3 in Red/Green/Blue sequence is the most suitable for visual interpretation of various forest cover types and landuse classes. It is felt that to extract full information from increased spatial and spectral resolution of Landsat TM, it is necessary to process the data digitally to classify land cover features like vegetation. Supervised classification using maximum likelihood algorithm has been attemped to stratify the forest vegetation. Only four bands are sufficient enough to classify vegetaton types. These bands are 2,3,4 and 5. The classification results were smoothed digitaly to increase the readiability of the map. Finally, the classification carred out using digital technique were evaluated using systematic sampling design. It is observed that forest cover type mapping can be achieved upto 80% overall mapping accuracy. Monospecies stand Chirpine can be mapped in two density classes viz., dense pine (<40%) with more than 90% accuracy. Poor accuracy (66%) was observed while mapping pine medium dense areas. The digital smoothening reduced the overall mapping accuracy. Conclusively, Landsat-TM can be used as operatonal sensor for forest cover type mapping even in complex landuse-terrain of Kumaon Himalaya (U.P.)     

基于Radarsat和TM图像融合与分类的土壤盐渍化信息遥感监测研究

单一雷达影像数据通常不能提供足够的用以监测干旱地区盐渍化的信息。雷达图像与TM图像的融合可以提高遥感数据的利用率,增强数据的可靠性和信息的互补性,有助于提高分类精度。本文采用了GramSchmidt变换融合法将Radarsat和TM图像进行融合,并将该融合方法与一些常用融合方法(HIS融合、PCA融合、Brovey融合)进行了比较,结果表明该融合方法优于其他方法。最后采用支持向量机分类法(SVM)对Radarsat、TM融合后的图像进行了分类。结果表明:同单独Radarsat影像和TM影像分类结果相比,该融合分类法将分类精度分别提高了近30%和2%。因此该融合分类法更适合于遥感图像盐渍化信息监测。     

Comparison and Integration of Radar and Optical Data for Land Use/Cover Mapping

Abstract

This study examined the complementarity of spaceborne radar and optical data for surface feature identification. RADARSAT data sets were assessed independently and in combination with Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) multispectral data. The primary methodology was spectral signature extraction and the application of a statistical decision rule to classify the surface features for a site near Kericho, Kenya. Relative accuracy of the resultant classifications was established by digital integration and comparison to reference information derived from field visitation. Speckle filtering was a great improvement over the poor results achieved with the unfiltered, original radar data but still not adequate for accurate land cover classification. The extraction and use of Variance texture measures was found to be very advantageous. The overall results were not significant improvements over speckle removal (6% increase) but several individual classes, forest and urban, had excellent results with texture. Combinations of radar with Landsat TM greatly improved results, achieving near perfect classification of all individual classes. The highest overall accuracy was achieved with a merger that included the best individual texture image and six reflectance bands of the TM data. The systematic strategy of this study, determination of the best individual method before introducing the next procedure, was effective in managing a very complex, almost infinite set of analysis possibilities.     

A comparative analysis of a fixed thresholding vs. a classification tree approach for operational burn scar detection and mapping

The scope of this paper is to demonstrate, evaluate and compare two burn scar mapping (BSM) approaches developed and applied operationally in the framework of the RISK-EOS service element project within the Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) program funded by ESA (http://www.risk-eos.com). The first method is the BSM_NOA, a fixed thresholding method using a set of specifically designed and combined image enhancements, whilst the second one is the BSM_ITF, a decision tree classification approach based on a wide range of biophysical parameters. The two methods were deployed and compared in the framework of operational mapping conditions set by RISK-EOS standards, based either on sets of uni- or multi-temporal satellite images acquired by Landsat 5 TM and SPOT 4 HRV. The evaluation of the performance of the two methods showed that either in uni- or multi-temporal acquisition mode, the two methods reach high detection capability rates ranging from 80% to 91%. At the same time, the minimum burnt area detected was of 0.9–1.0 ha, despite the coarser spatial resolution of Landsat 5 TM sensor. Among the advantages of the satellite-based approaches compared to conventional burn scar mapping, are cost-efficiency, repeatability, flexibility, and high spatial and thematic accuracy from local to country level. Following the catastrophic fire season of 2007, burn scar maps were generated using BSM_NOA for the entirety of Greece and BSM_ITF for south France in the framework of the RISK-EOS/GMES Services Element project.     

变端元混合像元分解冬小麦种植面积测量方法

针对线性混合像元分解(Linear Spectral Unmixing,LSU)在端元(Endmember)个数不变情况下常会出现端元分解过剩现象导致分解结果精度不高的问题,以地物分布的聚集性特征为基础,提出了基于格网的变端元线性混合像元分解(Dynamic Endmember LSU,DELSU)方法.以冬小麦为研究...     

Vegetation type discrimination on Landsat TM data in heterogeneous forested landscape of Western Ghats—Accuracy evaluation from large scale aerial photo maps

In the present study, forest type classification using Landsat TM False Colour Composite (FCC) bands 2, 3, 4 has been evaluated for mapping highly heterogeneous forest environment of Western Ghats (Kerala). Visual interpretation of Landsat TM FCC has been carried out to identify bioclimatic vegetation types. For accuracy estimation maps prepared from 1∶15,000 scale black-and-white aerial photographs have been used as ground check data. For comparison aerial photomap classes have been aggregated to match with Landsat-TM-derived map. The classification accuracy of ten major bioclimatic and landcover types was estimated using systematic sampling procedure. The overall classification accuracy of the forest types for the study area was 88.33%.     

光谱特征扩展的时间序列Landsat数据地表覆盖分类

时间序列遥感影像常用于地表覆盖监测及其变化监测。然而,利用时序遥感数据—尤其是中分辨率遥感数据监测地表覆盖变化,其方法基本是先对多期影像分别进行监督分类然后对比分类结果。由于这种方法需要对每期遥感影像单独选择分类训练样本,而对于历史影像,常常难以获得可靠的样本数据。本文基于遥感数据定量化处理,尝试利用光谱特征扩展方法对时间序列Landsat数据进行分类:首先,结合一种新的大气校正方法和相对辐射归一化方法,对时间序列Landsat数据进行定量化处理,以消除各期影像之间的辐射差异,获得地表反射率数据。然后,论文选择一期易于获得分类训练样本的反射率数据作为"参考影像",并结合样本数据提取不同地表覆盖类型的光谱特征。最后,将"参考影像"中提取的地物光谱特征,扩展到所有时间序列反射率数据进行分类。论文利用青藏高原玛多地区的5景Landsat数据对本文的方法进行了验证,结果显示:基于光谱特征扩展的分类方法,可有效对定量化处理后的Landsat数据进行分类,分类总体精度为88.35%—94.25%,分类结果和传统的单景监督分类结果具有较好的一致性。此外,研究也发现,"参考影像"和待分类图像获取时间的季相差异会影响其分类的精度。     

Fusion of Radar and Optical Data for Land Cover Mapping

Abstract

This study examined the complementarity of radar and optical data for feature identification. Spaceborne radar and Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM ) multispectral data sets were assessed independently and in combination to classify a site near Wad Medani, Sudan. Radar processing procedures included speckle reduction, texture extraction and post‐processing smoothing. Relative accuracy of the resultant classifications was established by comparison to ground truth information derived from field visitation. Neither speckle filtering nor post‐classification smoothing were improvements over the poor results obtained with the unfiltered, original radar data. Texture measures were significant improvements over the original data (20 percent overall accuracy increase) and several, but not all, individual classes had excellent results. Landsat TM had good overall results (80 percent correct) but considerable spectral confusion between urban and bare soil. Combination of radar with Landsat TM greatly improved results, achieving near perfect classification of all individual classes. The systematic strategy of this study, determination of the best individual method before introducing the next procedure, was effective in managing a complex set of analysis possibilities.     

Mapping burns and natural reforestation using thematic Mapper data

Remote sensing techniques are specially suitable to detect and to map areas affected by forest fires. In this work, Landsat 5 Thematic Mapper (TM) data has been used to study a number of forest fires that occurred in the province of Valencia (Spain) and to monitor the vegetation regeneration over burnt areas.

A reference area (non‐burnt forest) was established to assess the change produced by fire. The radiance in the thermal band (10.4–12.5 μm) and the normalized difference in reflectance between near 1R (0.76–0.90 μm) and middle IR (2.08–2.35 μm) were the most suitable parameters to map burnt areas. This index can also be used for monitoring vegetation regeneration in burnt areas. About a month after the fire, the burns show temperatures of 5–6 °C higher than those found in the reference area, and the vegetation index shows negative values whereas the reference area values remain positive. The differences between the burns and the reference area for the vegetation index decrease with time as vegetation regenerates.