Fusion of HJ1B and ALOS PALSAR data for land cover classification using machine learning methods

Image classification from remote sensing is becoming increasingly urgent for monitoring environmental changes. Exploring effective algorithms to increase classification accuracy is critical. This paper explores the use of multispectral HJ1B and ALOS (Advanced Land Observing Satellite) PALSAR L-band (Phased Array type L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar) for land cover classification using learning-based algorithms. Pixel-based and object-based image analysis approaches for classifying HJ1B data and the HJ1B and ALOS/PALSAR fused-images were compared using two machine learning algorithms, support vector machine (SVM) and random forest (RF), to test which algorithm can achieve the best classification accuracy in arid and semiarid regions. The overall accuracies of the pixel-based (Fused data: 79.0%; HJ1B data: 81.46%) and object-based classifications (Fused data: 80.0%; HJ1B data: 76.9%) were relatively close when using the SVM classifier. The pixel-based classification achieved a high overall accuracy (85.5%) using the RF algorithm for classifying the fused data, whereas the RF classifier using the object-based image analysis produced a lower overall accuracy (70.2%). The study demonstrates that the pixel-based classification utilized fewer variables and performed relatively better than the object-based classification using HJ1B imagery and the fused data. Generally, the integration of the HJ1B and ALOS/PALSAR imagery can improve the overall accuracy of 5.7% using the pixel-based image analysis and RF classifier.     

Forest aboveground biomass estimation in Zhejiang Province using the integration of Landsat TM and ALOS PALSAR data

In remote sensing–based forest aboveground biomass (AGB) estimation research, data saturation in Landsat and radar data is well known, but how to reduce this problem for improving AGB estimation has not been fully examined. Different vegetation types have their own species composition and stand structure, thus they have different data saturation values in Landsat or radar data. Optical and radar data also have different characteristics in representing forest stand structures, thus effective use of their features may improve AGB estimation. This research examines the effects of Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) and ALOS PALSAR L-band data and their integrations in forest AGB estimation of Zhejiang Province, China, and the roles of textural images from both datasets. The linear regression models of AGB were conducted by using (1) Landsat TM alone, (2) ALOS PALSAR data alone, (3) their combination as extra bands, and (4) their data fusion, based on non-stratification and stratification of vegetation types, respectively. The results show that (1) overall, Landsat TM data perform better than PALSAR data, but the latter can produce more accurate estimates for bamboo and shrub, and for forests with AGB values less than 60 Mg/ha; (2) the combination of TM and PALSAR data as extra bands can greatly improve AGB estimation performance, but their fusion using the modified high-pass filter resolution-merging technique cannot; (3) textures are indeed valuable in AGB estimation, especially for forests with complex stand structures such as mixed forests and pine forests with understories of broadleaf species; (4) stratification of vegetation types can improve AGB estimation performance; and (5) the results from the linear regression models are characterized by overestimation and underestimation for the smaller and larger AGB values, respectively, and thus, selecting non-linear models or non-parametric algorithms may be needed in future research.     

ALOS PALSAR全极化图像分类研究

极化干涉相干矩阵服从复Wishart分布,通过对相关系数的分析可以获得不同的地物类别。在总结极化干涉非监督Wishart ML分类流程的基础上,基于该方法对塔河地区全极化PALSAR数据进行了分类,研究结果表明:基于极化干涉的分类方法能够有效区分不同散射机制对应的地物,该分类方法具有较强的适应性,并且类间边界比较明显,这些分类信息为森林资源的开发和利用提供了参考。     

ALOS全色与多光谱影像融合的土地覆盖分类

利用Brovey、HighPass Filter和Gram-Schmidt 3种融合方法,对ALOS卫星全色与多光谱影像进行融合,并对融合后影像进行土地覆盖分类研究,从定性分析和比较融合后影像的分类精度2个方面综合评价了3种融合方法的效果。结果表明,3种融合方法都提高了影像的空间分辨率,Gram-Schmidt和HPF融合后影像光谱保持性好,同时3种融合方法不同程度上提高了影像的总体精度和Kappa系数,Gram-Schmidt最高,Brovey次之,HPF最弱,但对于不同地物分类精度又不尽相同,从整体分类结果来看,Gram-Schmidt最优。     

超像素在多极化SAR数据分类中的应用——以ALOS PALSAR为例

针对已提出的极化合成孔径雷达数据地物分类方法较难同时获得地物边界及相邻信息的问题，并为了减少图像处理的消耗时间，本文引入一种超像素生成算法——线性迭代聚类方法，对日本先进对地观测卫星多极化SAR数据进行地物分类研究。本文以四川省彭州市与什邡市交界地区为研究区，先采用Pauli分解生成RGB假彩色图像并进行滤波，再以此为基础使用线性迭代聚类方法生成超像素，最后用支持向量机分类方法，合理选取极化熵、各向异性度及平均散射角等极化特征组合在一起作为分类参数，对基于像素超像素的极化SAR图像的分类结果进行对比分析。使用超像素比其他基于像素的分类方法能够获得更好的结果，基于超像素分类的总体精度为95.23%，Kappa系数为92.58%。     

Retrieval of tropical forest biomass information from ALOS PALSAR data

Advanced Land Observing Satellite Phased Array L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (ALOS PALSAR) data from different observation modes were analysed to determine (1) which observation mode most accurately retrieves tropical forest biomass information and (2) whether different modes, when considered together, yield improved results in comparison to identical data-sets analysed independently. We performed regression analysis to estimate above-ground forest biomass using PALSAR backscatter data for natural and planted forests in south-eastern Bangladesh. The coefficient of determination (r ²) was lower or equal to 0.499 (n = 70) when PALSAR data from different observation modes were separately considered, but increased sharply when one class (rubber) is dropped and average backscatter of fine beam single (FBS) and polrimetric (PLR) modes are used in the analysis. The results presented in this article are useful for both regional and global forest biomass inventories and fixing acquisition modes for planned L-band SAR missions.     

ALOS数据像素级融合方法比较研究

遥感数据融合是多源遥感海量数据富集表示的有效途径。如何在提高融合影像空间分辨率的同时最大限度地保持光谱信息是长期以来遥感数据融合研究的焦点内容。本文以ALOS PRISM和ALOS AVNIR-2传感器的数据为数据源,比较研究了遥感领域中常用和代表性的BROVEY、IHS、MULTIPLICATIVE、PCA、WAVELET和HPF六种融合方法,并通过主观评价和定量分析对融合效果进行了综合评价。实验结果表明,HPF方法在显著提高融合影像空间分辨率的同时,有效保持了多光谱影像的光谱信息,是适合ALOS数据的最优融合方法。     

中国版大洋洲地表覆盖产品研制

针对全球变化研究对大洋洲地表覆盖产品的需求,该文以2000年和2010年的Landsat卫星影像为数据源,提出了对大洋洲影像按照月份分组并进行样本采集与规则训练的方法,采用GLC树分类器进行自动分类,经过分类后处理和数据集成,完成了2000年和2010年两期、30m分辨率的大洋洲地表覆盖产品研制工作。利用高分辨率影像、实地采集照片等进行室内精度评定,该大洋洲地表覆盖产品的精度达到90%以上。     

基于ALOS影像的内蒙古杭锦后旗土地盐渍化程度分级

土地盐渍化是影响区域生态环境质量和农业生产安全的重要因素,掌握其区域分布规律对盐渍化的预防和治理具有重要意义。基于ALOS影像和实地调查、土壤样品分析数据建立内蒙古杭锦后旗农用地盐渍化等级划分标准和遥感解译标志,分析了不同地物在不同波段的光谱特征,获得杭锦后旗土地盐渍化等级分类图。结果表明,杭锦后旗农用地盐渍化严重,中度以上盐渍化农用地占土地总面积的15.76%,占农用地总面积的25.68%;重度以上盐渍化农用地占土地总面积的3.28%,占农用地总面积的5.33%。研究区微度和轻度盐渍化农用地分布最广,中度盐渍化农用地分布比较分散,重度盐渍化农用地和盐土则主要沿灌渠和海子边缘分布,由西北向东南重度以上盐渍化土地比例有增加的趋势。     

Development of a modified neural network-based land cover classification system using automated data selector and multiresolution remotely sensed data

Integrating multiple images with artificial neural networks (ANN) improves classification accuracy. ANN performance is sensitive to training datasets. Complexity and errors compound when merging multiple data, pointing to needs for new techniques. Kohonen's self-organizing mapping (KSOM) neural network was adapted as an automated data selector (ADS) to replace manual training data processes. The multilayer perceptron (MLP) network was then trained using automatically extracted datasets and used for classification. Two hypotheses were tested: ADS adapted from the KSOM network provides adequate and reliable training datasets, improving MLP classification performance; and fusion of Landsat thematic mapper (TM) and SPOT images using the modified ANN approach increases accuracy. ADS adapted from the KSOM network improved training data quality and increased classification accuracy and efficiency. Fusion of compatible multiple data can improve performance if appropriate training datasets are collected. This proved to be a viable classification scheme particularly where acquiring sufficient and reliable training datasets is difficult.     

ALOS全色与多光谱影像融合方法比较

多源遥感影像融合能够综合利用多源遥感数据的优势,获得比单一数据更客观、更丰富的信息。以ALOS高分辨率卫星影像为例,选取包含不同地物的子区,分别应用不同的影像融合方法进行了融合实验,结果表明对于同一数据源,影像融合方法不同,其影像融合质量存在差异;同时研究区域包含的地物类型不同,最适宜的影像融合方法也不同。     

多源遥感影像融合在哈大齐土地利用分类中的应用

随着遥感技术的发展,同一区域的多源遥感影像数据越来越丰富。以哈大齐为例,利用ETM+和SPOT-5数据探讨不同遥感信息融合在土地利用过程中的处理方法,比较不同融合算法在土地分类中的差异,并进行定性和定量比较。为有关部门进行土地规划、管理提供科学依据有着十分重要的意义。     

Characterization of forests and deforestation in Cambodia using ALOS/PALSAR observation

In this study, we have demonstrated the capability of full polarimetric ALOS/Phased Array L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar data for the characterization of the forests and deforestation in Cambodia, to support climate change mitigation policies of Reducing Emission from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD). We have observed mean backscattering coefficient (σ°), entropy (H), alpha angle (α), anisotropy (A), pedestal height (PH), Radar Vegetation Index (RVI) and Freeman–Durden three-component decomposition parameters. The observations show that the forest types and deforested area are showing variable polarimetric and backscattering properties because of the structural difference. Evergreen forest is characterized by a high value of σ° HV (?12.96 dB) as compared with the deforested area (σ° HV=?22.2 dB). The value of polarimetric parameters such as entropy (0.93), RVI (0.91), PH (0.41) and Freeman–Durden volume scattering (0.43) is high for evergreen forest, whereas deforested area is characterized by the low values of entropy (0.36) and RVI (0.17). Based on these parameters, it is found that σ° HV, entropy, RVI and PH provide best results among other parameters.     

Mapping impervious surfaces with the integrated use of Landsat Thematic Mapper and radar data: A case study in an urban–rural landscape in the Brazilian Amazon

This research explored the integrated use of Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) and radar (i.e., ALOS PALSAR L-band and RADARSAT-2 C-band) data for mapping impervious surface distribution to examine the roles of radar data with different spatial resolutions and wavelengths. The wavelet-merging technique was used to merge TM and radar data to generate a new dataset. A constrained least-squares solution was used to unmix TM multispectral data and multisensor fusion images to four fraction images (high-albedo, low-albedo, vegetation, and soil). The impervious surface image was then extracted from the high-albedo and low-albedo fraction images. QuickBird imagery was used to develop an impervious surface image for use as reference data to evaluate the results from TM and fusion images. This research indicated that increasing spatial resolution by multisensor fusion improved spatial patterns of impervious surface distribution, but cannot significantly improve the statistical area accuracy. This research also indicated that the fusion image with 10-m spatial resolution was suitable for mapping impervious surface spatial distribution, but TM multispectral image with 30 m was too coarse in a complex urban–rural landscape. On the other hand, this research showed that no significant difference in improving impervious surface mapping performance by using either PALSAR L-band or RADARSAT C-band data with the same spatial resolution when they were used for multi-sensor fusion with the wavelet-based method.     

Assessment of different topographic correction methods in ALOS AVNIR-2 data over a forest area

Abstract

Because the removal of topographic effects is one the most important pre-processing steps when extracting information from satellite images in digital Earth applications, the problem of differential terrain illumination on satellite imagery has been investigated for at least 20 years. As there is no superior topographic correction method applicable to all areas and all images, a comparison of topographic normalization methods in different regions and images is necessary. In this study, common topographic correction methods were applied on an ALOS AVNIR-2 image of a rugged forest area, and the results were evaluated through different criteria. The results show that the simple correction methods [Cosine, Sun-Canopy-sensor (SCS), and Minnaert correction] are inefficient in exceptionally rough forests. Among the improved correction methods (SCS+C, modified Minnaert, and pixel-based Minnaert), the best result was achieved using a pixel-based Minnaert approach in which a separate correction factor in various slope angles is used. Thus, this method should be considered for topographic correction, especially in forests with severe topography.     

土地覆盖/土地利用样本影像数据库的建立与应用展望

本文通过概述多种数据源、多分辨率、多时相的所有类别、所有表现形式、多波段融合的土地覆盖/土地利用(LC/LU)的样本影像数据的采集、分类、整理等一系列工作,从而建立LC/LU样本影像数据库,并且对其应用前景进行了展望。     

Assessing integration of intensity,polarimetric scattering,interferometric coherence and spatial texture metrics in PALSAR-derived land cover classification

Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) is an important alternative to optical remote sensing due to its ability to acquire data regardless of weather conditions and day/night cycle. The Phased Array type L-band SAR (PALSAR) onboard the Advanced Land Observing Satellite (ALOS) provided new opportunities for vegetation and land cover mapping. Most previous studies employing PALSAR investigated the use of one or two feature types (e.g. intensity, coherence); however, little effort has been devoted to assessing the simultaneous integration of multiple types of features. In this study, we bridged this gap by evaluating the potential of using numerous metrics expressing four feature types: intensity, polarimetric scattering, interferometric coherence and spatial texture. Our case study was conducted in Central New York State, USA using multitemporal PALSAR imagery from 2010. The land cover classification implemented an ensemble learning algorithm, namely random forest. Accuracies of each classified map produced from different combinations of features were assessed on a pixel-by-pixel basis using validation data obtained from a stratified random sample. Among the different combinations of feature types evaluated, intensity was the most indispensable because intensity was included in all of the highest accuracy scenarios. However, relative to using only intensity metrics, combining all four feature types increased overall accuracy by 7%. Producer’s and user’s accuracies of the four vegetation classes improved considerably for the best performing combination of features when compared to classifications using only a single feature type.     

Assessment of Nigeriasat-1 satellite data for urban land use/land cover analysis using object-based image analysis in Abuja,Nigeria

This study assesses the usefulness of Nigeriasat-1 satellite data for urban land cover analysis by comparing it with Landsat and SPOT data. The data-sets for Abuja were classified with pixel- and object-based methods. While the pixel-based method was classified with the spectral properties of the images, the object-based approach included an extra layer of land use cadastre data. The classification accuracy results for OBIA show that Landsat 7 ETM, Nigeriasat-1 SLIM and SPOT 5 HRG had overall accuracies of 92, 89 and 96%, respectively, while the classification accuracy for pixel-based classification were 88% for Landsat 7 ETM, 63% for Nigeriasat-1 SLIM and 89% for SPOT 5 HRG. The results indicate that given the right classification tools, the analysis of Nigeriasat-1 data can be compared with Landsat and SPOT data which are widely used for urban land use and land cover analysis.     

高光谱-LiDAR多级融合城区地表覆盖分类

城市地区地表覆盖分类在城市研究中是一个十分重要的方向。遥感作为获取地物物理属性的一种重要技术手段,已初步应用于分类研究中。然而,随着城镇化的不断推进,城市内部地物类型越来越复杂,单一的遥感影像已无法满足城区地表覆盖分类中高精度的要求。高光谱影像和LiDAR数据能够分别表征地物的光谱信息及高程而被广泛应用。因此,根据两者之间互补的优势,本文提出了基于高光谱影像和LiDAR数据多级融合的城区地表覆盖分类方法。首先对两幅影像分别进行特征提取,将提取到的光谱、空间及高程信息进行层叠实现特征级融合。对得到的特征影像的所有像素点进行分类,然后利用LiDAR点云数据提取的建筑物掩膜,对非建筑物部分进行分类,再次实现特征级融合,以此改善建筑物区域与非建筑物区域的混淆。然后将未使用掩膜得到的分类结果与利用掩膜得到的分类结果进行投票实现决策级融合。最后利用条件随机场模型对分类结果进行后处理操作,达到平滑图像去除噪声点的目的。