Development of Indicators Using Remote Sensing Technology – funded by NASA

• Classify land use change from 1992-Classify land use change from 1992-2002.2002.

• Produce land use and wetland Produce land use and wetland classification using new high-resolution classification using new high-resolution satellite data (QuickBird; 2.44m).satellite data (QuickBird; 2.44m).– Persistent, emergent, floating aquatic, Persistent, emergent, floating aquatic,

and submergent aquatic vegetation (SAV)and submergent aquatic vegetation (SAV)

• Develop a bathymetry map of near-Develop a bathymetry map of near-shore areas during low water periodshore areas during low water period– Model shoreline mobilityModel shoreline mobility– Assess susceptibility of wetland Assess susceptibility of wetland

vegetation to changing water levelsvegetation to changing water levels

G. Niemi, C. Johnston, T. Brown & P. Wolter; University of Minnesota, Duluth

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Sample of the multi-temporal Landsat Sample of the multi-temporal Landsat classification literature as of 1991classification literature as of 1991

• Kalensky 1974 “could improve results”Kalensky 1974 “could improve results”

• Kalensky and Scherk 1975 “multi-date is best”Kalensky and Scherk 1975 “multi-date is best”

• Kan and Weber 1978 Kan and Weber 1978 “no clear benefit”“no clear benefit”

• Beaubien 1979 “provides better contrast”Beaubien 1979 “provides better contrast”

• Walsh 1980 “September better than June”Walsh 1980 “September better than June”

• Nelson 1984 Nelson 1984 “avoid senescent imagery”“avoid senescent imagery”

• Toll 1985 Toll 1985 “not significantly better”“not significantly better”

• Schriever and Congalton 1991 “more efficient”Schriever and Congalton 1991 “more efficient”

Layered Classification Layered Classification ApproachApproach

Using Vegetation Using Vegetation Indicies (NDVI)Indicies (NDVI)

and Image and Image DifferencingDifferencing

jack pinejack pinejack pine - hardwoodjack pine - hardwoodjack pine - oakjack pine - oakred pinered pinered pine - hardwoodred pine - hardwoodspruce-firspruce-firspruce-fir - hardwoodspruce-fir - hardwoodcedarcedarcedar - hardwoodcedar - hardwoodtamaracktamarackblack spruceblack spruceacid bog conifer, stagnantacid bog conifer, stagnantconifer, regenerationconifer, regenerationblack ashblack ashblack ash - coniferblack ash - coniferblack ash - conifer under.black ash - conifer under.hardwoods, misc. (lowland)hardwoods, misc. (lowland)aspen-birchaspen-birchaspen-birch - coniferaspen-birch - coniferaspen-birch - conifer under.aspen-birch - conifer under.northern hardwoodsnorthern hardwoodsnorthern hardwoods - conifernorthern hardwoods - conifer

northern hwd, con. under.northern hwd, con. under.red oakred oakpin oakpin oakoak - pineoak - pinehardwood, regenerationhardwood, regenerationwaterwateremergent, aquaticemergent, aquaticemergentemergentSphagnum spp.Sphagnum spp.agricultureagriculturegrass, nativegrass, nativegrass, native (lowland)grass, native (lowland)grass, cool seasongrass, cool seasongrass, domesticgrass, domesticbrush, alderbrush, alderbrush, alder (lowland)brush, alder (lowland)brush, willowbrush, willowbrush, willow (lowland)brush, willow (lowland)brush, misc.brush, misc.brush, misc. (lowland)brush, misc. (lowland)brush, ericaciousbrush, ericaciousdevelopeddeveloped

National Land National Land CoverCover Dataset (NLCD) Dataset (NLCD)

The USGS, in cooperation with the EPA, has produced a land cover dataset for the conterminous United States on the basis of 1992 Landsat thematic mapper imagery and supplemental data. The NLCD is a component of the USGS Land Cover Characterization Program.

• Stratify Landsat-7 with NLCD• Classify using phenology• Age structure by species• Change analysis• Develop landscape indicators

Our Processing StepsOur Processing Steps

Landscape IndicatorsLandscape Indicators

Land use adjacent to coastal wetlands

Urban density Farmland as a percentage

of total land Number of wetlands per

unit area Area of forest cut

Wetland acreage losses or gains

Area of land paved or permanently covered

Wetland size, abundance Aerial extent of wetland

types Nature and extent of riparian

vegetation Exotic species

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QuickBird Sites in RedRed & Radar DEM Sites in YellowYellow

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2 October 2001Level = 577.5 ft.

Little Tail Point

Green Bay34

Nuphar advena Typha latifolia

Phragmites australis

Wet Meadow

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6 September 1999Level = 578.4 ft.

2 October 2001Level = 577.5 ft.

March 1964Level = 576.1 ft.

October 1986Level = 583.4 ft.

15 July 1997Level = 581.3 ft.

Some of the indicators we hope to Some of the indicators we hope to derive:derive:

• Area of land pavedArea of land paved• Area of forest permanently lost to developmentArea of forest permanently lost to development• Urban density and rate of changeUrban density and rate of change• Loss/gain of wetlandsLoss/gain of wetlands• Percent change in land use typePercent change in land use type• Area of redeveloped brown fieldsArea of redeveloped brown fields• Loss/gain of forested landLoss/gain of forested land• Percent cropland by area and change through timePercent cropland by area and change through time• Area of cropland within 1, 5, and 10 Km or a Area of cropland within 1, 5, and 10 Km or a

shorelineshoreline• Area of cropland near waterways on slopesArea of cropland near waterways on slopes• Proportion of various land use/cover types in the Proportion of various land use/cover types in the

basinbasin• Coastal wetland size, abundance and susceptibility Coastal wetland size, abundance and susceptibility

to high water threatsto high water threats• Nature and extent of riparian vegetationNature and extent of riparian vegetation

http://glei.nrri.umn.edu

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