Image Classification

Black Water National Wildlife Refuge Land Cover Analysis

Problem: Natural resource managers at Black Water National Wildlife Refuge need to determine different types of land coverage in order to adequately assess options for different land uses.  Understanding where different types of land are within their property will allow for better land management policies, and will allow for the development of a more accurate master plan.

Analysis: In order to determine the different types of land cover in Black Water National Wildlife Refuge, I had to take a .tif file that contained 4 bands and converted it to an easily read color coded map.

This was achieved by connecting the .tif file to ArcMap.  Once the file was in ArcMap, I changed the symbology so that only the red, green, and blue bands were used.  I then identified different types of land coverage using small polygons.  This was done by using the classification polygon tool.  Next, I used the training sample manager tool to merge and color code the different land types into 6 different attributes.  The last step in the initial process was to run the specified classification tool.  The output from this tool is a color coded map, where all different land cover types have been shaded with their predetermined colors.

The second process follows the same workflow as the first process, however, additional polygons are added to the land cover map before the specified classification tool is applied.  Adding additional polygons to the different land covers add more accuracy to the specified classification output.

Example of using polygons to assist with the image classification process

Results:
Results from running interactive supervised classification tool
 

Application and Reflection

Problem Description: Image classification is a powerful tool that I can use as I move into my career as a natural resource manager.  We will be completing master plans that will include land use changes.  These changes need to take place on lands that provide the appropriate specifications for the intended activity.  An example of using image classification in a recreation setting could be used in the development of a mountain bike trail.  The trails need to be created in the forest on public lands, and not go through any rivers, or through any wetlands.  Using the specified classification tool can provide a visual representation of different land types that would be ideal to create a new trail.

Data Needed: This analysis would require an aerial image with color bands of the land that is under evaluation.

Analysis Procedures: This analysis would require creating polygons to represent different types of land cover.  Next, the interactive supervised classification tool would been to be run to give a better idea of the different types of land that is on the property.  After the image results are provided, trail options can be laid out.  Finally, a team should visit the site to confirm where the final trail will be developed.