Automatic individual tree based analysis of high spatial resolution aerial images on naturally regenerated boreal forests

1999 ◽  
Vol 29 (10) ◽  
pp. 1464-1478 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomas Brandtberg
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Resolution ◽  
Boreal Forests ◽  
High Spatial Resolution ◽  
Ground Truth ◽  
Aerial Images ◽  
Individual Tree ◽  
Ground Truth Data ◽  
European Aspen ◽  
Rms Error ◽  
Complementary Image

Individual tree based forest surveys are feasible using modern computer technology. The presented approach for analysing high spatial resolution (pixel size 10 cm) aerial images of naturally regenerated boreal forests is based on visible significant trees. Sunlight patches on the ground are suppressed, followed by optimal image smoothing. The problem with inclined illumination is handled by adapted thresholding. Each connected threshold segment (a collection of one or more trees) is further smoothed. A selection of the resulting convex edge segments is used for identifying significant tree crown circles. Six complementary image variables are estimated and used for regression analysis. An evaluation of the ground-truth data in central Sweden gives good results on the stem position estimate (a root mean square (RMS) error of 108 cm) and the stem number estimate (a relative RMS error of 11%). The complementary variables contribute significantly to the stem diameter prediction, resulting in the following experimental values: Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) (R2 = 59.5%, s = 4.9 cm, N = 157), Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) (R2 = 21.9%, s = 6.4 cm, N = 398), birch (Betula pubescens Ehrh.) (R2 = 35.4%, s = 5.3 cm, N = 133), and European aspen (Populus tremula L.) (R2 = 61.4%, s = 4.6 cm, N = 13). The results indicate strong species dependence.

scholarly journals Classification of Very-High-Spatial-Resolution Aerial Images Based on Multiscale Features with Limited Semantic Information

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 364
Author(s):  
Han Gao ◽  
Jinhui Guo ◽  
Peng Guo ◽  
Xiuwan Chen
Keyword(s):  
Deep Learning ◽  
Land Cover ◽  
Spatial Resolution ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
High Spatial Resolution ◽  
Training Data ◽  
Aerial Images ◽  
Rural Landscapes ◽  
Feature Representations ◽  
Object Based

Recently, deep learning has become the most innovative trend for a variety of high-spatial-resolution remote sensing imaging applications. However, large-scale land cover classification via traditional convolutional neural networks (CNNs) with sliding windows is computationally expensive and produces coarse results. Additionally, although such supervised learning approaches have performed well, collecting and annotating datasets for every task are extremely laborious, especially for those fully supervised cases where the pixel-level ground-truth labels are dense. In this work, we propose a new object-oriented deep learning framework that leverages residual networks with different depths to learn adjacent feature representations by embedding a multibranch architecture in the deep learning pipeline. The idea is to exploit limited training data at different neighboring scales to make a tradeoff between weak semantics and strong feature representations for operational land cover mapping tasks. We draw from established geographic object-based image analysis (GEOBIA) as an auxiliary module to reduce the computational burden of spatial reasoning and optimize the classification boundaries. We evaluated the proposed approach on two subdecimeter-resolution datasets involving both urban and rural landscapes. It presented better classification accuracy (88.9%) compared to traditional object-based deep learning methods and achieves an excellent inference time (11.3 s/ha).

scholarly journals A Comparison of Methods for Determining Forest Composition from High-Spatial-Resolution Remotely Sensed Imagery

Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 1290
Author(s):  
Benjamin T. Fraser ◽  
Russell G. Congalton
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Resolution ◽  
High Spatial Resolution ◽  
Remotely Sensed ◽  
Local Scale ◽  
Google Earth ◽  
Forest Composition ◽  
Visual Interpretation ◽  
Individual Tree ◽  
Remotely Sensed Imagery ◽  
Composition Classes

Remotely sensed imagery has been used to support forest ecology and management for decades. In modern times, the propagation of high-spatial-resolution image analysis techniques and automated workflows have further strengthened this synergy, leading to the inquiry into more complex, local-scale, ecosystem characteristics. To appropriately inform decisions in forestry ecology and management, the most reliable and efficient methods should be adopted. For this reason, our research compares visual interpretation to digital (automated) processing for forest plot composition and individual tree identification. During this investigation, we qualitatively and quantitatively evaluated the process of classifying species groups within complex, mixed-species forests in New England. This analysis included a comparison of three high-resolution remotely sensed imagery sources: Google Earth, National Agriculture Imagery Program (NAIP) imagery, and unmanned aerial system (UAS) imagery. We discovered that, although the level of detail afforded by the UAS imagery spatial resolution (3.02 cm average pixel size) improved the visual interpretation results (7.87–9.59%), the highest thematic accuracy was still only 54.44% for the generalized composition groups. Our qualitative analysis of the uncertainty for visually interpreting different composition classes revealed the persistence of mislabeled hardwood compositions (including an early successional class) and an inability to consistently differentiate between ‘pure’ and ‘mixed’ stands. The results of digitally classifying the same forest compositions produced a higher level of accuracy for both detecting individual trees (93.9%) and labeling them (59.62–70.48%) using machine learning algorithms including classification and regression trees, random forest, and support vector machines. These results indicate that digital, automated, classification produced an increase in overall accuracy of 16.04% over visual interpretation for generalized forest composition classes. Other studies, which incorporate multitemporal, multispectral, or data fusion approaches provide evidence for further widening this gap. Further refinement of the methods for individual tree detection, delineation, and classification should be developed for structurally and compositionally complex forests to supplement the critical deficiency in local-scale forest information around the world.

scholarly journals Deep Learning Approaches for the Mapping of Tree Species Diversity in a Tropical Wetland Using Airborne LiDAR and High-Spatial-Resolution Remote Sensing Images

Forests ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 1047 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ying Sun ◽  
Jianfeng Huang ◽  
Zurui Ao ◽  
Dazhao Lao ◽  
Qinchuan Xin
Keyword(s):  
Remote Sensing ◽  
Deep Learning ◽  
Species Diversity ◽  
Spatial Resolution ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
High Spatial Resolution ◽  
Diversity Index ◽  
Tree Species Diversity ◽  
Individual Tree ◽  
Rgb Images

The monitoring of tree species diversity is important for forest or wetland ecosystem service maintenance or resource management. Remote sensing is an efficient alternative to traditional field work to map tree species diversity over large areas. Previous studies have used light detection and ranging (LiDAR) and imaging spectroscopy (hyperspectral or multispectral remote sensing) for species richness prediction. The recent development of very high spatial resolution (VHR) RGB images has enabled detailed characterization of canopies and forest structures. In this study, we developed a three-step workflow for mapping tree species diversity, the aim of which was to increase knowledge of tree species diversity assessment using deep learning in a tropical wetland (Haizhu Wetland) in South China based on VHR-RGB images and LiDAR points. Firstly, individual trees were detected based on a canopy height model (CHM, derived from LiDAR points) by the local-maxima-based method in the FUSION software (Version 3.70, Seattle, USA). Then, tree species at the individual tree level were identified via a patch-based image input method, which cropped the RGB images into small patches (the individually detected trees) based on the tree apexes detected. Three different deep learning methods (i.e., AlexNet, VGG16, and ResNet50) were modified to classify the tree species, as they can make good use of the spatial context information. Finally, four diversity indices, namely, the Margalef richness index, the Shannon–Wiener diversity index, the Simpson diversity index, and the Pielou evenness index, were calculated from the fixed subset with a size of 30 × 30 m for assessment. In the classification phase, VGG16 had the best performance, with an overall accuracy of 73.25% for 18 tree species. Based on the classification results, mapping of tree species diversity showed reasonable agreement with field survey data (R2Margalef = 0.4562, root-mean-square error RMSEMargalef = 0.5629; R2Shannon–Wiener = 0.7948, RMSEShannon–Wiener = 0.7202; R2Simpson = 0.7907, RMSESimpson = 0.1038; and R2Pielou = 0.5875, RMSEPielou = 0.3053). While challenges remain for individual tree detection and species classification, the deep-learning-based solution shows potential for mapping tree species diversity.

scholarly journals Applying the Tropical Peatland Combustion Algorithm to Landsat-8 Operational Land Imager (OLI) and Sentinel-2 Multi Spectral Instrument (MSI) Imagery

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (23) ◽  
pp. 3958
Author(s):  
Parwati Sofan ◽  
David Bruce ◽  
Eriita Jones ◽  
M. Rokhis Khomarudin ◽  
Orbita Roswintiarti
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Resolution ◽  
Fire Detection ◽  
Ground Truth ◽  
Thermal Infrared ◽  
Landsat 8 ◽  
Ground Truth Data ◽  
Spectral Instrument ◽  
Tropical Peatland ◽  
Tropical Environments ◽  
Sentinel 2

This study establishes a new technique for peatland fire detection in tropical environments using Landsat-8 and Sentinel-2. The Tropical Peatland Combustion Algorithm (ToPeCAl) without longwave thermal infrared (TIR) (henceforth known as ToPeCAl-2) was tested on Landsat-8 Operational Land Imager (OLI) data and then applied to Sentinel-2 Multi Spectral Instrument (MSI) data. The research is aimed at establishing peatland fire information at higher spatial resolution and more frequent observation than from Landsat-8 data over Indonesia’s peatlands. ToPeCAl-2 applied to Sentinel-2 was assessed by comparing fires detected from the original ToPeCAl applied to Landsat-8 OLI/Thermal Infrared Sensor (TIRS) verified through comparison with ground truth data. An adjustment of ToPeCAl-2 was applied to minimise false positive errors by implementing pre-process masking for water and permanent bright objects and filtering ToPeCAl-2’s resultant detected fires by implementing contextual testing and cloud masking. Both ToPeCAl-2 with contextual test and ToPeCAl with cloud mask applied to Sentinel-2 provided high detection of unambiguous fire pixels (>95%) at 20 m spatial resolution. Smouldering pixels were less likely to be detected by ToPeCAl-2. The detected smouldering pixels from ToPeCAl-2 applied to Sentinel-2 with contextual testing and with cloud masking were only 35% and 56% correct, respectively; this needs further investigation and validation. These results demonstrate that even in the absence of TIR data, an adjusted ToPeCAl algorithm (ToPeCAl-2) can be applied to detect peatland fires at 20 m resolution with high accuracy especially for flaming. Overall, the implementation of ToPeCAl applied to cost-free and available Landsat-8 and Sentinel-2 data enables regular peatland fire monitoring in tropical environments at higher spatial resolution than other satellite-derived fire products.

scholarly journals Mapping local density of young Eucalyptus plantations by individual tree detection in high spatial resolution satellite images

2013 ◽  
Vol 301 ◽  
pp. 129-141 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jia Zhou ◽  
Christophe Proisy ◽  
Xavier Descombes ◽  
Guerric le Maire ◽  
Yann Nouvellon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Resolution ◽  
Satellite Images ◽  
High Spatial Resolution ◽  
Local Density ◽  
Individual Tree ◽  
Tree Detection ◽  
Eucalyptus Plantations

scholarly journals Automated Individual Tree Detection and Crown Delineation Using High Spatial Resolution RGB Aerial Imagery

2011 ◽  
Vol 27 (6) ◽  
pp. 703-715 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tae-Jin Park ◽  
Jong-Yeol Lee ◽  
Woo-Kyun Lee ◽  
Doo-Ahn Kwak ◽  
Han-Bin Kwak ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Resolution ◽  
High Spatial Resolution ◽  
Aerial Imagery ◽  
Individual Tree ◽  
Tree Detection ◽  
Crown Delineation
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