A Multiscale Object-Specific Approach to Digital Change Detection

Landscape spatial pattern is dependent not only on interacting physiographic and physiological processes, but also on the temporal and spatial scales at which the resulting patterns are assessed. To detect significant spatial changes occurring through space and time three fundamental components are required. First, a multiscale dataset must be generated. Second, a change detection framework must be applied to the multiscale dataset. Third, a procedure must be developed to delineate individual image-objects and identify them as they change through scale. In this paper, we introduce an object-specific multiscale digital change detection approach. This approach incorporates multitemporal SPOT Panchromatic (Pan) data, object-specific analysis (OSA), object-specific up-scaling (OSU), marker-controlled watershed segmentation (MCS) and image differencing change detection. By applying this framework to SPOT Pan data, image-objects that have changed between registration dates can be identified and delineated at their characteristic scale of expression. Results illustrate that this approach has the ability to automatically detect changes at multiple scales as well as suppress sensor related noise. This study was conducted in the forest region of the Örebro Administrative Province, Sweden.     

A comparison of three image-object methods for the multiscale analysis of landscape structure

Within the conceptual framework of Complex Systems, we discuss the importance and challenges in extracting and linking multiscale objects from high-resolution remote sensing imagery to improve the monitoring, modeling and management of complex landscapes. In particular, we emphasize that remote sensing data are a particular case of the modifiable areal unit problem (MAUP) and describe how image-objects provide a way to reduce this problem. We then hypothesize that multiscale analysis should be guided by the intrinsic scale of the dominant landscape objects composing a scene and describe three different multiscale image-processing techniques with the potential to achieve this. Each of these techniques, i.e., Fractal Net Evolution Approach (FNEA), Linear Scale-Space and Blob-Feature Detection (SS), and Multiscale Object-Specific Analysis (MOSA), facilitates the multiscale pattern analysis, exploration and hierarchical linking of image-objects based on methods that derive spatially explicit multiscale contextual information from a single resolution of remote sensing imagery. We then outline the weaknesses and strengths of each technique and provide strategies for their improvement.     

Mediterranean forest species mapping using classification of Hyperion imagery

Regional operational forest species mapping is an active research topic that aims to provide the systematic and updatable information necessary for understanding and monitoring the rapidly changing forest environment. In this study, we investigated the potential of satellite hyperspectral imagery in regional forest species mapping by employing a pixel-based and an object-based nearest neighbour classifier in two different Mediterranean study areas. The overall thematic accuracy of the produced maps was assessed using reference data collected in the field and ranged between 0.72 and 0.83. No approach was found to be superior for the study areas. The McNemar test showed no statistically significant difference at the 95% confidence level in the classification accuracies achieved by the two approaches. Both pixel- and object-based approaches provide useful maps, suggesting that regional forest species mapping from space has much potential.     

The improvement of an object-oriented classification using multi-temporal MODIS EVI satellite data

Abstract

This paper investigates the contribution of multi-temporal enhanced vegetation index (EVI) data to the improvement of object-based classification accuracy using multi-spectral moderate resolution imaging spectral-radiometer (MODIS) imagery. In object-oriented classification, similar pixels are firstly grouped together and then classified; the produced result does not suffer the speckled appearance and closer to human vision. EVI data are from the MODIS sensor aboard Terra spacecraft. 69 EVI data (scenes) were collected during the period of three years (2001–2003) in a mountainous vegetated area. These data sets were used to study the phenology of the land cover types. Different land cover types show distinct fluctuations over time in EVI values and this information might be used to improve object-oriented land cover classification. Two experiments were carried out: one was only with single date MODIS multispectral data, and the other one including also the 69 EVI images. Eight classes were distinguished: temperate forest, tropical dry forest, grassland, irrigated agriculture, rain-fed agriculture, orchards, lava flows and human settlement. The two classifications were evaluated with independent verification data, and the results showed that with multi-temporal EVI data, the classification accuracy was improved 5.2%. Evaluated by McNemar's test, this improved was significant, with significance level p=0.01.     

多尺度分割的高分辨率遥感影像变化检测

针对高空间分辨率的遥感影像,提出了一种基于多尺度分割的变化检测算法。采用Mean-Shift分割算法对影像进行多尺度分割,构建了不同尺度上的地理对象,以不同尺度上的地理对象灰度均值构建了变化检测的多尺度特征向量,采用变化矢量分析法获得最后的变化检测结果。以城镇区和农田区的Quick Bird影像对本文算法进行了检验,从精度评价的效果来看,无论城镇区还是农田区,采用面向对象的变化检测方法精度都高于基于单像素的检测方法,且当尺度层数固定时,多尺度组合的变化检测结果优于单一尺度的变化检测结果,对城镇、农田区域的变化检测的精度分别达到87.57%和81.55%。本文算法既可以顾及大面积同质区域变化,又可以反映小的地物目标及边缘部分的变化,能够很好地满足城镇、农田等不同环境背景下的变化检测需求,在国土资源监测中具有一定的应用价值。     

Generic rule-sets for automated detection of urban tree species from very high-resolution satellite data

The sustainable management and monitoring of urban forests is an important activity in the urbanized world, and operational approaches require information about the status of urban trees to determine the best strategy. One limitation in urban forest studies is the detection and discrimination of tree species using limited training data. Thus, this study focuses on developing generic rule sets from high-resolution WorldView-2 imagery in conjunction with spectral, spatial, colour and textural information for automated urban tree species detection. The object-based image analysis and its combination with statistical analysis of object features is utilized for this purpose. Results of attribute selection indicated that from 55 attributes, only 26 were useful to discriminate urban tree species, namely Messua ferrea L., Samanea saman and Casuarina sumatrana. Finally, the high overall accuracy, approximately 86.87% with kappa of 0.75 confirmed the transferability of the generic model.     

TLS-bridged co-prediction of tree-level multifarious stem structure variables from worldview-2 panchromatic imagery: a case study of the boreal forest

ABSTRACT

In forest ecosystem studies, tree stem structure variables (SSVs) proved to be an essential kind of parameters, and now simultaneously deriving SSVs of as many kinds as possible at large scales is preferred for enhancing the frontier studies on marcoecosystem ecology and global carbon cycle. For this newly emerging task, satellite imagery such as WorldView-2 panchromatic images (WPIs) is used as a potential solution for co-prediction of tree-level multifarious SSVs, with static terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) assumed as a ‘bridge’. The specific operation is to pursue the allometric relationships between TLS-derived SSVs and WPI-derived feature parameters, and regression analyses with one or multiple explanatory variables are applied to deduce the prediction models (termed as Model1s and Model2s). In the case of Picea abies, Pinus sylvestris, Populus tremul and Quercus robur in a boreal forest, tests showed that Model1s and Model2s for different tree species can be derived (e.g. the maximum R²?=?0.574 for Q. robur). Overall, this study basically validated the algorithm proposed for co-prediction of multifarious SSVs, and the contribution is equivalent to developing a viable solution for SSV-estimation upscaling, which is useful for large-scale investigations of forest understory, macroecosystem ecology, global vegetation dynamics and global carbon cycle.     

Object- and pixel-based classifications of macroalgae farming area with high spatial resolution imagery

Macroalgae plays an important role in coastal ecosystems. The accurate delineation of macroalgae areas is important for environmental management. This study compared the pixel- and object-based methods using Gaofen satellite no. 2 image to explore an efficient classification approach. Expert system rules and nearest neighbour classifier were adopted for object-based classification, whereas maximum likelihood classifier was implemented in the pixel-based approach. Normalized difference vegetation index, normalized difference water index, mean value of the blue band and geometric characteristics were selected as features to distinguish macroalgae farms by considering the spectral and spatial characteristics. Results show that the object-based method achieved a higher overall accuracy and kappa coefficient than the pixel-based method. Moreover, the object-based approach displayed superiority in identifying Porphyra class. These findings suggest that the object-based method can delineate macroalgae farming areas efficiently and be applied in the future to monitor the macroalgae farms with high spatial resolution imagery.     

Analysis of large-scale UAV images using a multi-scale hierarchical representation

Abstract

Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-based imaging systems have many superiorities compared with other platforms, such as high flexibility and low cost in collecting images, providing wide application prospects. However, the acquisition of the UAV-based image commonly results in very high resolution and very large-scale images, which poses great challenges for subsequent applications. Therefore, an efficient representation of large-scale UAV images is necessary for the extraction of the required information in a reasonable time. In this work, we proposed a multi-scale hierarchical representation, i.e. binary partition tree, for analyzing large-scale UAV images. More precisely, we first obtained an initial partition of images by an oversegmentation algorithm, i.e. the simple linear iterative clustering. Next, we merged the similar superpixels to build an object-based hierarchical structure by fully considering the spectral and spatial information of the superpixels and their topological relationships. Moreover, objects of interest and optimal segmentation were obtained using object-based analysis methods with the hierarchical structure. Experimental results on processing the post-seismic UAV images of the 2013 Ya’an earthquake and the mosaic of images in the South-west of Munich demonstrate the effectiveness and efficiency of our proposed method.     

An Assessment of the RAIM Performance of a Combined Galileo/GPS Navigation System Using the Marginally Detectable Errors (MDE) Algorithm

Integrity relates to the trust that can be placed in the correctness of information supplied by a navigation system. It includes the ability of the navigation system to provide timely warning to users when the system fails to meet its stated accuracy. Specifically, a navigation system is required to deliver a warning (alarm) when the error in the derived user position solution exceeds an allowable level (alarm limit). This warning must be issued to the user within a given period of time (time-to-alarm) and with a given probability (integrity risk). The two main approaches to monitoring the integrity of satellite navigation systems are Receiver Autonomous Integrity Monitoring (RAIM), and monitoring based on an independent network of integrity monitoring stations and a dedicated Ground Integrity Channel (GIC). More recently Satellite Autonomous Integrity Monitoring (SAIM) methods have also been investigated. This article presents the results of a study to assess the RAIM capability of the Galileo system when used alone and when combined with the Global Positioning System (GPS). The assessment was based on the Marginally Detectable Error (MDE) algorithm. The results show a significant improvement in the capability to perform RAIM using a combined Galileo/GPS system compared to the performance using the Galileo system alone. This study was supported by Alcatel Space and was a contribution to the Galileo definition studies carried out for the European Community under the GALA project. ? 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Updating Landsat-based forest cover maps with MODIS images using multiscale spectral-spatial-temporal superresolution mapping

With the high deforestation rates of global forest covers during the past decades, there is an ever-increasing need to monitor forest covers at both fine spatial and temporal resolutions. Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and Landsat series images have been used commonly for satellite-derived forest cover mapping. However, the spatial resolution of MODIS images and the temporal resolution of Landsat images are too coarse to observe forest cover at both fine spatial and temporal resolutions. In this paper, a novel multiscale spectral-spatial-temporal superresolution mapping (MSSTSRM) approach is proposed to update Landsat-based forest maps by integrating current MODIS images with the previous forest maps generated from Landsat image. Both the 240 m MODIS bands and 480 m MODIS bands were used as inputs of the spectral energy function of the MSSTSRM model. The principle of maximal spatial dependence was used as the spatial energy function to make the updated forest map spatially smooth. The temporal energy function was based on a multiscale spatial-temporal dependence model, and considers the land cover changes between the previous and current time. The novel MSSTSRM model was able to update Landsat-based forest maps more accurately, in terms of both visual and quantitative evaluation, than traditional pixel-based classification and the latest sub-pixel based super-resolution mapping methods The results demonstrate the great efficiency and potential of MSSTSRM for updating fine temporal resolution Landsat-based forest maps using MODIS images.     

Modelling forest canopy gaps using LiDAR-derived variables

Remote sensing has revolutionized forest management and has been widely employed to model canopy gaps. In this study, a canopy height model (CHM) and an intensity raster (IR) derived from light detection and ranging (LiDAR) data were used to model canopy gaps within a four-year-old Eucalyptus grandis forest using an object-based image analysis (OBIA) approach. Model thematic accuracies using the CHM, intensity raster and combined data set (CHM and IR) were all above 90%, with KHAT values ranging from 0.88 to 0.96. Independent test thematic accuracies were also above 90%, with KHAT values ranging from 0.82 to 0.91. A comparative area-based assessment yielded accuracies ranging from 70 to 90%, with the highest accuracies achieved using the combined data set. The results of this study show that using a CHM and intensity raster, and an OBIA approach, provides a viable framework to accurately detect and delineate canopy gaps within a commercial forest environment.     

Forest Cover Mapping in North-Central Mexico: A Comparison of Digital Image Processing Methods

Vegetation type is an environmental attribute that varies across the landscape and over time. Its continuous assessment is important for monitoring land use changes and forest degradation. There are advanced methods that can estimate the fractional cover of vegetation types within each pixel. This paper compares some methods for subpixel mapping of forest cover in the state of San Luis Potosí, Mexico, using Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS)-derived spectral data (MCD43A4). Three methods were tested: (1) Bayesian posterior probability, (2) the Fuzzy k nearest neighbor (FkNN), and (3) linear spectral mixture analysis (LSMA). While the Bayesian approach gave the poorest correlations, FkNN (r = 0.78) and LSMA (r = 0.81) estimations were successfully validated with information obtained from a Landsat image. This paper represents an interesting attempt to compare rarely reported FkNN with traditional approaches such as LSMA and the Bayesian one.     

A comparison of unsupervised segmentation parameter optimization approaches using moderate- and high-resolution imagery

Unsupervised segmentation optimization methods have been proposed to aid in selecting an “optimal” set of scale parameters quickly and objectively for object-based image analysis. The goal of this study was to qualitatively assess three unsupervised approaches using both moderate-resolution Landsat and high-resolution Ikonos imagery from two study sites with different landscape characteristics to demonstrate the continued need for analyst intervention during the segmentation process. The results demonstrate that these methods selected parameters that were optimal for the scene which varied with method, image type, and site complexity. Several takeaways from this exercise are as follows: (1) some methods do not work as intended, (2) single-scale unsupervised optimization procedures cannot be expected to properly segment all the features of interest in the image every time, and (3) many multi-scale approaches require subjectively chosen weights or thresholds or additional testing to determine those values that meet the objective. Visual inspection of segmentation results is still required in order to assess over and under-segmentation as no method can be expected to select the best parameters for land cover classifications every time. These approaches should instead be used to narrow down parameter values in order to save time.     

Comparing methods for mapping canopy chlorophyll content in a mixed mountain forest using Sentinel-2 data

The Sentinel-2 Multi-Spectral Imager (MSI) has three spectral bands centered at 705, 740, and 783 nm wavelengths that exploit the red-edge information useful for quantifying plant biochemical traits. This sensor configuration is expected to improve the prediction accuracy of vegetation chlorophyll content. In this work, we assessed the performance of several statistical and physical-based methods in retrieving canopy chlorophyll content (CCC) from Sentinel-2 in a heterogeneous mixed mountain forest. Amongst the algorithms presented in the literature, 13 different vegetation indices (VIs), a non-parametric statistical approach, and two radiative transfer models (RTM) were used to assess the CCC prediction accuracy. A field campaign was conducted in July 2017 to collect in situ measurements of CCC in Bavarian forest national park, and the cloud-free Sentinel-2 image was acquired on 13 July 2017. The leave-one-out cross-validation technique was used to compare the VIs and the non-parametric approach. Whereas physical-based methods were calibrated using simulated data and validated using the in situ reference dataset. The statistical-based approaches, such as the modified simple ratio (mSR) vegetation index and the partial least square regression (PLSR) outperformed all other techniques. As such the modified simple ratio (mSR3) (665, 865) gave the lowest cross-validated RMSE of 0.21 g/m² (R² = 0.75). The PLSR resulted in the highest R² of 0.78, and slightly higher RMSE =0.22 g/m² than mSR3. The physical-based approach-INFORM inversion using look-up table resulted in an RMSE =0.31 g/m², and R² = 0.67. Although mapping CCC using these methods revealed similar spatial distribution patterns, over and underestimation of low and high CCC values were observed mainly in the statistical approaches. Further validation using in situ data from different terrestrial ecosystems is imperative for both the statistical and physical-based approaches' effectiveness to quantify CCC before selecting the best operational algorithm to map CCC from Sentinel-2 for long-term terrestrial ecosystems monitoring across the globe.     

高光谱与高空间分辨率遥感数据的亚热带森林生物量反演

精确估算森林生物量对全球碳平衡以及气候变化的研究有重要意义。以亚热带天然次生林为研究对象,借助地面实测样地数据,通过对机载LiCHy(LiDAR,CCD and Hyperspectral)传感器同时获取的高光谱和高空间分辨率数据进行信息提取和数据融合,建模反演森林生物量。首先通过面向对象分割方法进行单木冠幅提取,然后融合从高光谱数据提取的光谱特征变量和从高空间分辨率数据提取的单木冠幅统计变量,构建多元回归模型估算地上、地下生物量,最后利用地面实测生物量经交叉验证评价模型精度。结果表明,综合模型的精度(R~2为0.54—0.62)高于高光谱模型(R~2为0.48—0.57);在高光谱模型中地上生物量模型精度(R~2为0.57)高于地下生物量模型(R~2为0.48);在综合模型中地上生物量模型精度(R~2为0.62)同样高于地下生物量模型(R~2为0.54)。交叉验证结果表明,与仅使用高光谱数据(单一数据源)相比,通过集成高光谱和高空间分辨率数据的生物量反演效果有所提升,可以更加有效地估算亚热带森林生物量。     

Parameter evaluation and optimization for multi-resolution segmentation in object-based shadow detection using very high resolution imagery

Object-based shadow detection in urban areas is an important topic in very high resolution remote sensing image processing. Multi-resolution segmentation (MRS) is an effective segmentation method, and is used for object-based shadow detection. However, several input parameters within MRS may result in unstable performance for final shadow detection; thus, the evaluation and optimization for the parameters upon the final shadow detection accuracy cannot be overlooked. In this paper, the three parameters in MRS (scale s, weight of colour w_color and weight of compactness w_compact) upon the final result of a recently proposed method, object-based shadow detection with Dempster–Shafer theory, were evaluated and optimized by sensitivity analysis and Taguchi’s method with three experimental data. Experiments show that scale s is the most sensitive parameter among the three parameters within MRS. More importantly, according to the Taguchi’s method theory, there is a very significant interaction effect between s and w_color, which cannot be overlooked. The shadow detection accuracy yielded by the optimum parameter combination in consideration of the interaction effect is higher than that only optimized by covering the main effect of single parameter in most cases.     

决策树结合混合像元分解的中国竹林遥感信息提取

竹林是中国亚热带地区特殊而重要的森林资源,现有方法难以实现全国范围竹林时空分布信息快速准确提取。针对此问题,本研究利用2003年、2008年、2014年MODIS NDVI、反射率产品数据和省域Landsat分类数据,提出了基于决策树结合混合像元分解的全国竹林信息提取方法。首先,通过最大似然法获取中国林地分布信息;然后,在林地信息的基础上,构建决策树模型提取中国竹林分布信息;最后,采用线性最小二乘法混合像元分解得到中国竹林丰度图,并计算竹林面积。研究结果表明:(1)最大似然法提取的3个时期中国林地信息的生产者与用户精度均在90%以上,Kappa系数均值为0.93,为竹林信息提取奠定了基础。(2)C5.0算法构建的决策树模型能够很好的提取中国竹林时空分布信息,3个时期竹林分类精度均在80%左右。(3)在混合像元分解的基础上,统计得到的全国各省竹林估算面积与清查面积具有较高的相关性,R~2分别为0.98、0.97和0.95,RMSE范围为3.92万—9.58万ha,说明估算得到全国竹林面积与实际情况较为吻合。本研究所提出基于MODIS遥感数据运用C5.0算法决策树结合混合像元分解的方法,实现了全国竹林时空分布信息的准确提取,为全国竹林资源信息动态监测及管理提供了技术手段和数据支撑。     

An integrated remote sensing and GIS approach for monitoring areas affected by selective logging: A case study in northern Mato Grosso,Brazilian Amazon

Forest cover disturbances due to processes such as logging and forest fires are a widespread issue especially in the tropics, and have heavily affected forest biomass and functioning in the Brazilian Amazon in the past decades. Satellite remote sensing has played a key role for assessing logging activities in this region; however, there are still remaining challenges regarding the quantification and monitoring of these processes affecting forested lands. In this study, we propose a new method for monitoring areas affected by selective logging in one of the hotspots of Mato Grosso state in the Brazilian Amazon, based on a combination of object-based and pixel-based classification approaches applied on remote sensing data. Logging intensity and changes over time are assessed within grid cells of 300 m × 300 m spatial resolution. Our method encompassed three main steps: (1) mapping forest/non-forest areas through an object-based classification approach applied to a temporal series of Landsat images during the period 2000–2015, (2) mapping yearly logging activities from soil fraction images on the same Landsat data series, and (3) integrating information from previous steps within a regular grid-cell of 300 m × 300 m in order to monitor disturbance intensities over this 15-years period. The overall accuracy of the baseline forest/non-forest mask (year 2000) and of the undisturbed vs disturbed forest (for selected years) were 93% and 84% respectively. Our results indicate that annual forest disturbance rates, mainly due to logging activities, were higher than annual deforestation rates during the whole period of study. The deforested areas correspond to circa 25% of the areas affected by forest disturbances. Deforestation rates were highest from 2001 to 2005 and then decreased considerably after 2006. In contrast, the annual forest disturbance rates show high temporal variability with a slow decrease over the 15-year period, resulting in a significant increase of the ratio between disturbed and deforested areas. Although the majority of the areas, which have been affected by selective logging during the period 2000–2014, were not deforested by 2015, more than 70% of the deforested areas in 2015 had been at least once identified as disturbed forest during that period.