High Resolution Information for Natural Resource Management
Abstract
Multi spectral and high resolution satellite imagery is providing the opportunity to develop data sets and information at the level of detail required for natural resource management. A number of pilot and research and development projects have been undertaken using Digital Globe imagery for applications in forestry, conservation planning and catchment management. This paper outlines the approaches, incorporating both image analysis and spatial GIS analysis, for a number of these projectss which demonstrate the advantages that the new satellite imagery can provide. Although the relative cost of acquisition of this high resolution data is expensive compared to aerial photography, when considered as an information package including imagery, derived information and data sets, then thiss satellite imagery provides significant cost benefits. Furthermore, with the multi spectral capability there is considerable scope for the derived information products allowing for detailed spectral identification of land cover types, particularly vegetation. The application outlined in this paper are the:
- detection and delineation of individual tree crwons for forest inventories
- detailed vegetaion community mapping foir conservation planning, and
- detailed land cover mapping including tree cover nd farm dams for inputs into catchment modelling and management
Author
Georgina Race