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Mapping trees outside forests using high-resolution aerial imagery: a comparison of pixel- and object-based
Dacia M Meneguzzo1, Greg C Liknes, Mark D Nelson
1Northern Research Station, USDA Forest Service, 1992 Folwell Avenue, St. Paul, MN, 55108, USA. dmeneguzzo@fs.fed.us
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment
|December 21, 2012
Summary
Mapping trees outside forests (ToF) is crucial for landscape management. Remote sensing using NAIP imagery offers a cost-effective solution to inventory ToF, supplementing traditional methods.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Remote Sensing
- Forestry and Ecology
Background:
- Trees outside forests (ToF) provide essential ecological and economic benefits but are often omitted from national inventories.
- Existing geospatial datasets lack comprehensive ToF data for the United States, and ground-based inventories are costly.
- Remote sensing offers a potential solution for large-scale ToF mapping.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate two remote sensing-based approaches for mapping ToF in an agricultural landscape.
- To compare the effectiveness of independent component analysis (ICA) and object-based image analysis (OBIA) using NAIP imagery.
- To assess the accuracy of these methods for estimating total tree cover, spatial location, and patch metrics.
Main Methods:
- Utilized free, high-resolution aerial imagery from the National Agriculture Imagery Program (NAIP).
- Applied an unsupervised per-pixel classifier (independent component analysis - ICA).
- Employed an object-based image analysis (OBIA) procedure.
- Conducted three accuracy assessments: county-level estimates, ground location accuracy, and comparison of patch metrics with photo interpretation.
Main Results:
- Both ICA and OBIA methods are viable for broad-scale ToF mapping and can supplement ground-based data.
- The ICA approach yielded a total tree cover estimate closer to the photo-interpreted result.
- The OBIA method provided a more realistic spatial pattern of tree cover compared to human interpretation.
Conclusions:
- Remote sensing, specifically using NAIP imagery with ICA or OBIA, presents a cost-effective alternative for ToF inventory.
- The choice between ICA and OBIA depends on whether accurate total area estimation or realistic spatial pattern depiction is prioritized.
- These methods can significantly enhance landscape resource management by including ToF data.
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