Land cover changed object detection in remote sensing data with medium spatial resolution

Land cover change information is crucial to analyse the process and the change patterns of environments and ecological systems. Recent studies have incorporated object-based image analysis for its ability to generate meaningful geographical objects into studies of change detection. In this research, we developed a systematic methodology to realise multi-type land cover changed object detection with medium spatial resolution remote sensing images in Beijing, China. Optimum index factor (OIF) was applied to determine the best change indicators and the chi-square transformation was carried out to determine the change threshold of the 4 classes of changed object. The clustering change vectors in the feature space were proposed to discriminate the change types. According to the accuracy assessment, the overall accuracy of changed/unchanged object detection was approximately 93.9% with an overall kappa of 0.824, and the change type discrimination also achieved an overall accuracy of 81.67%, indicating the effectiveness of the proposed method.     

Change detection of linear features in temporally spaced remotely sensed images using edge-based grid analysis

Automatic change detection of land cover features using high-resolution satellite images, is a challenging problem in the field of intelligent remote sensing data interpretation, and is becoming more and more effective for its applications viz. urban planning and monitoring, disaster assessment etc. In the present study, a change in detection approach based on the image morphology that analyses change in the local image grids is proposed. In this approach, edges from both the images are extracted and grid wise comparison is made by probabilistic thresholding and power spectral density analysis for identifying change area. One of the advantages of the proposed methodology is that the temporal images used in the change analysis need not be radiometrically corrected as analysis is based on edge extractions. The grid-based analysis further reduces the error, which might have been introduced by image mis-registration. The proposed methodology is validated by finding the temporal changes in the linear land cover features in parts of Kolkata city, India using three different image data-sets from LISS IV, Cartosat-1 and Google earth having varied spatial resolutions of 5.8 m, 2.5 m and about 1 m, respectively. The overall accuracy in identifying changes is found to be 64.82, 73.86 and 80.93% for LISS IV, Cartosat-1 and Google earth data-set, respectively.     

基于变化向量分析（CVA）的土地利用／覆盖变化动态监测（Ⅱ）—变化类型的确定方法

以光谱直接比较为基础的变化向量分析法是一种非常有效的土地利用／覆盖变化动态监测方法，在双窗口变步长阈值搜寻方法确定变化和非变化像元的基础上，提出了参考图像分类并结合变化向量方向余弦最小距离分类的变化类型确定方法，同时应用该方法在北京市海淀区进行了实验研究，得到了较为理想的结果。变化类型的判断精度达到70％以上，显示了新方法的优越性和技术可行性。     

基于变化向量分析（CVA）的土地利用／覆盖变化动态监测（Ⅱ）—变化类型的确定方法

以光谱直接比较为基础的变化向量分析法是一种非常有效的土地利用／覆盖变化动态监测方法，在双窗口变步长阈值搜寻方法确定变化和非变化像元的基础上，提出了参考图像分类并结合变化向量方向余弦最小距离分类的变化类型确定方法，同时应用该方法在北京市海淀区进行了实验研究，得到了较为理想的结果。变化类型的判断精度达到70％以上，显示了新方法的优越性和技术可行性。     

Evaluation of diverse classification approaches for land use/cover mapping in a Mediterranean region utilizing Hyperion data

Information on Earth's land surface cover is commonly obtained through digital image analysis of data acquired from remote sensing sensors. In this study, we evaluated the use of diverse classification techniques in discriminating land use/cover types in a typical Mediterranean setting using Hyperion imagery. For this purpose, the spectral angle mapper (SAM), the object-based and the non-linear spectral unmixing based on artificial neural networks (ANNs) techniques were applied. A further objective had been to investigate the effect of two approaches for training sites selection in the SAM classification, namely of the pixel purity index (PPI) and of the direct selection of training points from the Hyperion imagery assisted by a QuickBird imagery and field-based training sites. Object-based classification outperformed the other techniques with an overall accuracy of 83%. Sub-pixel classification based on the ANN showed an overall accuracy of 52%, very close to that of SAM (48%). SAM applied using the training sites selected directly from the Hyperion imagery supported by the QuickBird image and the field visits returned an increase accuracy by 16%. Yet, all techniques appeared to suffer from the relatively low spatial resolution of the Hyperion imagery, which affected the spectral separation among the land use/cover classes.     

基于NDVI序列影像精化结果的植被覆盖变化研究

植被归一化指数(NDVI)是地表植被覆盖特征的重要指标之一。本文以三峡库区2001-2003年MODIS遥感数据反演的NDVI时间序列影像为例,研究NDVI影像序列的精化问题,包括降云及去噪处理的有效方法。在改进的BISE技术降云处理的基础上,采用小波软阈值降噪方法提取有效变化趋势。然后进行库区2001-2003年植被变化的变化矢量分析,采用阈值分割的方法将库区变化强度影像分为未变化、小变化、中等变化与剧烈变化四个类型。研究成果可为三峡库区宏观生态环境变化的掌握提供一定的依据。     

结合变化向量分析和直觉模糊聚类的遥感影像变化检测方法

针对多时相遥感影像变化检测存在数据不确定性、检测精度不高等问题,提出了一种结合变化向量分析（CVA）和直觉模糊C均值聚类算法（IFCM）的多时相遥感影像变化检测方法. 首先通过CVA构建两个时相遥感影像的差异影像;然后采用直觉模糊C均值聚类算法对差异影像进行聚类得出变化区域和未变化区域;最后对变化检测结果进行二值化处理并进行精度评价. 选取两个时相的高分一号遥感影像和Szada数据集影像作为实验数据. 实验结果表明,采用提出的方法可有效解决传统方法存在的数据不确定性问题,变化检测精度达到了95.92%和92.70%,是一种可行的遥感影像变化检测方法. 研究结果可用于森林动态变化监测、土地复垦利用规划变化分析以及灾损评估.      

Integrating conventional classifiers with a GIS expert system to increase the accuracy of invasive species mapping

Mapping the cover of invasive species using remotely sensed data alone is challenging, because many invaders occur as mid-level canopy species or as subtle understorey species and therefore contribute little to the spectral signatures captured by passive remote sensing devices. In this study, two common non-parametric classifiers namely, the neural network and support vector machine were used to map four cover classes of the invasive shrub Lantana camara in a protected game reserve and the adjacent area under communal land management in Zimbabwe. These classifiers were each combined with a geographic information system (GIS) expert system, in order to test whether the new hybrid classifiers yielded significantly more accurate invasive species cover maps than the single classifiers. The neural network, when used on its own, mapped the cover of L. camara with an overall accuracy of 71% and a Kappa index of agreement of 0.61. When the neural network was combined with an expert system, the overall accuracy and Kappa index of agreement significantly increased to 83% and 0.77, respectively. Similarly, the support vector machine achieved an overall accuracy of 64% with a Kappa index of agreement of 0.52, whereas the hybrid support vector machine and expert system classifier achieved a significantly higher overall accuracy of 76% and a Kappa index of agreement of 0.67. These results suggest that integrating conventional image classifiers with an expert system increases the accuracy of invasive species mapping.     

基于矢量数据的LUCC广义转移矩阵自动挖掘方法

为了充分利用日益增多的多时态土地利用/覆被矢量数据,依据不同属性全方位挖掘提取其中隐含的要素变化转移信息,进而为土地资源科学管理与统筹规划提供技术支持和决策依据,首先提出了广义转移矩阵的概念,并进行了形式化定义,然后设计了一种基于矢量数据的广义转移矩阵自动计算生成方法,详细阐述了数据预处理、匹配关系建立、要素变化检测、矩阵设置与生成4个实施步骤中涉及的主要问题及解决策略。试验结果表明:所提方法能够大幅提高转移矩阵矢量化计算生成的准确度和灵活性,有效克服人工手动处理计算效率低、周期长、易出错、难检查的不足,以及常用栅格化计算方法精度低、结果单一、不能准确全面反映土地利用/覆盖要素在不同属性上的变化转移情况的局限。     

Multi-source change detection with PALSAR data in the Southern of Pará state in the Brazilian Amazon

Optical data is broadly used for change detection studies, despite being hindered by atmospheric conditions. Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data can be useful for change detection in areas with frequent cloud coverage as SAR systems are capable of obtaining images almost independently from atmospheric conditions. This study aims to verify the difference in results of using SAR data instead of optical data for change detection purposes. Different levels of one hierarchical legend and both pixel and region-based classifiers were used. Change results were evaluated considering the use of rectangular matrices to incorporate the occurrence of impossible changes and relative comparison between change maps. Although the change maps obtained using only optical data were more accurate than those using either one or two land cover classifications based on L-band SAR data, the difference in the accuracy of change maps decreases with the use of less detailed legends. Additionally, results indicate that L-band SAR and multi-sensor approaches are adequate for deforestation identification even if post-classification results did not achieve global accuracy values superior to 0.86. The most accurate change detection results obtained in this work were not associated with the overall accuracy of land cover classifications, but with the distribution and accuracy of specific land cover classes.     

基于多波段统计检验的土地利用变化检测

在将历史土地利用矢量图与新时期遥感影像结合研究的基础上,提出多波段统计检验差异法进行土地利用变化检测,有效避免了传统方法中阈值的不确定性.在黑龙江省佳木斯市开展的试验及精度分析表明,本方法可以在无人工干预的情况下较好地检测出土地利用变化,总体检测精度达到86.2%.     

Exploring image fusion of ALOS/PALSAR data and LANDSAT data to differentiate forest area

Remote sensing data utilize valuable information via various satellite sensors that have different specifications. Image fusion allows the user to combine different spatial and spectral resolutions to improve the information for purposes such as forest monitoring and land cover mapping. In this study, I assessed the contribution of dual-polarized Advanced Land Observing Satellite/Phased Array type L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar data to multispectral Landsat imagery. The research investigated the separability of forested areas using different image fusion techniques. Quality analysis of the fused images was conducted using qualitative and quantitative analyses. I applied the support vector machine image classification method for land cover mapping. Among all methods examined, the à trous wavelet transform method best differentiated the forested area with an overall accuracy (OA) of 94.316%, while Landsat had an OA of 92.626%. The findings of this study indicated that optical-SAR-fused images improve land cover classification, which results in higher quality forest inventory data and mapping.     

长时间序列Radarsat图像的神经网络模拟及土地覆盖变化的快速检测

土地覆盖的短期时空变化模式研究,对土地覆盖的快速、动态监测具有重要意义,也是遥感研究的新热点。本文利用2000—2001年的时间序列Radarsat图像,采用功率谱分析方法,对土地覆盖的短期时—空变化的周期特征进行了分析,由此建立了基于时间序列影像分析的神经网络预测模型,从植被主要生长季节的时间序列雷达卫星影像获取训练样本,对研究区域的典型土地覆盖的短期动态变化过程进行了学习。学习后的模型能够利用多个时间序列的Radarsat影像对下一时刻的影像进行模拟,并进一步检测变化。在模拟结果基础上,定义相对变化距离函数和检测门限,对模拟影像及实际影像中的变化区域进行了检测。检测精度范围在66.67%(农村居民点)—91.67%(水体)之间,平均检测精度为81.66%。由于时间序列信号的引入,神经网络模型能够较好地获取土地覆盖的短期动态变化信息。     

Impact of Topography on Accuracy of Land Cover Spectral Change Vector Analysis Using AWiFS in Western Himalaya

The present paper discusses the impact of topography on accuracy for land cover classification and “from-to class change using improved spectral change vector analysis suggested by Chen et al. (2003). Two AWiFS sensor images of different dates are used. Double Window Flexible Pace Search (DFPS) is used to estimate threshold of change magnitude for change/no change classes. The topographic corrections show accuracy of 90% (Kappa coefficient 0.7811) for change/no change area as compared to 82% (Kappa coefficient 0.6512) in uncorrected satellite data. Direction cosines of change vector for determining change direction in n-dimensional spectral space is used for image classification with a minimum distance categorizing technique. The results of change detection are compared (i) Improved CVA with conventional two bands CVA and (ii) Improved CVA before and after topographic corrections. The improved CVA with topographic correction consideration using slope match show maximum accuracy of 90% (Kappa coefficient 0.83) as compared to conventional CVA which show maximum accuracy of 82% (Kappa coefficient 0.6624). The overall accuracy of ”from- to class using improved CVA increases from 86% (Kappa coefficient 0.7817) to 90% (Kappa coefficient 0.83) after topographic corrections. The improved CVA with proper topographic corrections is found to be effective for change detection analysis in the rugged Western Himalayan terrain.     

An assessment of the impact of urbanization and land use changes in the fast-growing cities of Saudi Arabia

Understanding rates, patterns and types of land use and land cover (LULC) changes are essential for various decision-making processes. This study quantified LULC changes and the effect of urban expansion in three Saudi Arabian cities: Riyadh, Jeddah and Makkah using Landsat images of 1985, 2000 and 2014. Seasonal change of vegetation cover was conducted using normalised difference vegetation index, and object-based image analysis was used to classify the LULC changes. The overall accuracies of the classified maps ranged from 84 to 95%, which indicated sufficiently robust results. Urban area was the most changed land cover, and most of the converted land to urban was from bare soil. The seasonal analysis showed that the change of vegetation cover was not constant due to climatic conditions in these areas. The agricultural lands were significantly decreased between 1985 and 2014, and most of these lands were changed to bare soil due to dwindling groundwater resources.     

Integration of full-waveform LiDAR and hyperspectral data to enhance tea and areca classification

Hyperspectral image and full-waveform light detection and ranging (LiDAR) data provide useful spectral and geometric information for classifying land cover. Hyperspectral images contain a large number of bands, thus providing land-cover discrimination. Waveform LiDAR systems record the entire time-varying intensity of a return signal and supply detailed information on geometric distribution of land cover. This study developed an efficient multi-sensor data fusion approach that integrates hyperspectral data and full-waveform LiDAR information on the basis of minimum noise fraction and principal component analysis. Then, support vector machine was used to classify land cover in mountainous areas. Results showed that using multi-sensor fused data achieved better accuracy than using a hyperspectral image alone, with overall accuracy increasing from 83% to 91% using population error matrices, for the test site. The classification accuracies of forest and tea farms exhibited significant improvement when fused data were used. For example, classification results were more complete and compact in tea farms based on fused data. Fused data considered spectral and geometric land-cover information, and increased the discriminability of vegetation classes that provided similar spectral signatures.     

1983—1992年中国陆地植被NDVI演变特征的变化矢量分析

以NDVI时序资料为基本数据源，综合应用变化矢量分析和主成分分析方法对1983年至1992年中国陆地植被NDVI的变化强度、变化类型及空间结构变化特征进行了分析。研究结果表明在此期间中国陆地植被NDVI变化有以下特点：（1）十年间NDVI变化东西分异明显，东部变化幅度远大于西部。NDVI变化整体表现为稳中略增，增加区主要分布在台湾、福建、四川、河南等地；减少区主要分布在云南省和新疆北部等地。（2）空间结构信息表现了景观异质性，其变化主要发生在南方，反映了植被的生长和衰老过程及地形（山脉走向）变化。     

用基于知识的决策树方法分层提取矿区土地类型——以湖北大冶为例

以湖北大冶为研究区,采用多时相陆地卫星遥感图像,通过不同波段组合,以及ironoxide指数和归一化差异植被指数(NDVI)等,详细分析了各地表地物光谱特征和空间特征,建立了研究区分类知识库表,采用决策二叉树法进行分类,得到了高精度分类结果图。基于不同时相分类结果的变化检测,通过对研究区水体污染、矿区复垦、耕地变化等分析,认为从1986～2002年,研究区水质虽有一定改善,但矿区植被退化严重,耕地大量减少,停产矿区复垦仅为20%,为合理保护矿区生态环境和科学管理采矿企业提供了有用资料。     

An Evaluation of Four Different Wavelet Decomposition Procedures for Spatial Feature Discrimination in Urban Areas

Texture or spatial arrangement of neighborhood objects and features plays an important role in the human visual system for pattern recognition and image classification. The traditional spectral–based image processing techniques have proven inadequate for urban land use and land cover mapping from images acquired by the current generation of fine–resolution satellites. This is because of the high frequency spatial arrangements or complex nature of urban features. There is a need for an effective algorithm to digitally classify urban land use and land cover categories using high–resolution image data. Recent studies using wavelet transforms for texture analysis have generally reported better accuracy. Based on a high–resolution ATLAS image, this study illustrates four different wavelet decomposition procedures – the standard, horizontal, vertical, and diagonal decompositions – for urban land use and land cover feature extraction with the use of 33×33 pixel samples. The standard decomposition approach was found to be the most efficient approach in urban texture analysis and classification. For comparison purposes and to better evaluate the accuracy of wavelet approaches in image classification, spatial autocorrelation techniques (Moran's I and Geary's C ) and the spatial co–occurrence matrix method were also examined. The results suggest that the wavelet transform approach is superior to all other approaches.     

Development of National Database on Long-term Deforestation in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is one of the biodiversity hotspots of the world. This study has utilized satellite remote sensing and GIS techniques to generate a nation-wide database on forests, forest types and land use/land cover of Sri Lanka. Spatial assessment of forest cover changes was carried out for the periods 1976–1985, 1985–1994, 1994–2005 and 2005–2014. The landscape fragmentation analysis has carried out to calculate the spatial and temporal patterns of forest. Land use/land cover map was prepared representing seven classes in 2014. The plantations occupy a large area (34.2%) followed by forests (33.4%) and agriculture (26.1%) in 2014. During the period of 1976–2014, the forest has been decreased by 5.5%. From 1976 to 1985 forest recorded a loss at an annual rate of 0.49%. This annual rate decreased to 0.01% during 2005–2014 indicates declining trend of deforestation and effective conservation measures. The study found deforestation hotspots in south east and northern most parts of the Sri Lanka. Total number of patches estimated has increased from 15193 in 1976 to 16136 in 2014. The study has found that main causes of deforestation in Sri Lanka were due to expansion of agriculture and plantations. The extent of change detected in the study through geospatial techniques has significance to the forest ecology and management of natural landscapes in Sri Lanka.