higher water temperatures, increased runoff volume and rate, and elevated levels of
contaminants in surface waters [8, 9, 12, 13]—effects which extend well beyond
specific urban regions, vitiating downstream waterbodies [14].
Remote sensing techniques can be used to map and monitor changes in land use
and land cover locally and over large expanses and to evaluate impacts of these
changes. Remote sensing techniques involve collecting data from a distance, then
analyzing and interpreting collected data for specific purposes. In this chapter,
remote sensing refers to collection and analysis of information using aerial photography and/or satellite imagery for the purpose of monitoring the Earth’s surface.
With the capacity to remotely sense the Earth’s surface, the science of land use/land
cover mapping has gained the ability to evaluate large areas at economical costs.
In this chapter, we present methods for classifying land use and land cover and
sources of land use and land cover data; discuss remote sensing principles and use
of the electromagnetic spectrum in classification and analyses of land use and land
cover; provide a brief history of remote sensing and introduce two types of
imagery—aerial photos and satellite imagery; present how remotely sensed land
use and land cover is used in hydrological analyses; and finally introduce the newest
remote sensing technologies and their applications for land use and land cover
monitoring.
2 Land Use/Land Cover Classification
2.1 Definition of Land Use and Land Cover
Land use and land cover are terms frequently used interchangeably. However, these
terms have significantly different meanings and applications. Land cover refers to
physical features on the surface of the Earth—vegetation, water, the built-up land.
Whereas, land use specifically refers to the human (economic) utility of what is on
the Earth’s surface. In some instances, terms used to describe land cover can also
describe land use, for example, forest describes the type of vegetated cover but also
describes a use for industries such as forest products. Although remote sensing can
be used to identify both, often we can think of broad-scale imagery (e.g., satellite
imagery) as primarily portraying land cover, whereas the fine detail of aerial
photography or similar imagery might be required for identification of land use.
Land use mapping is accomplished by partitioning an image into units, usually
polygons, and then assigning each unit to a specific category. Land use/land cover
classifications are strictly naming systems such that each classification contains a
description defining uses falling within a system of mutually exclusive categories.
As an example—a definition for a water classification is Open Water—all areas of
open water, generally with less than 25 % cover of vegetation/land cover [15].
Land Use/Land Cover Monitoring and Geospatial Technologies: An Overview
3
contaminants in surface waters [8, 9, 12, 13]—effects which extend well beyond
specific urban regions, vitiating downstream waterbodies [14].
Remote sensing techniques can be used to map and monitor changes in land use
and land cover locally and over large expanses and to evaluate impacts of these
changes. Remote sensing techniques involve collecting data from a distance, then
analyzing and interpreting collected data for specific purposes. In this chapter,
remote sensing refers to collection and analysis of information using aerial photography and/or satellite imagery for the purpose of monitoring the Earth’s surface.
With the capacity to remotely sense the Earth’s surface, the science of land use/land
cover mapping has gained the ability to evaluate large areas at economical costs.
In this chapter, we present methods for classifying land use and land cover and
sources of land use and land cover data; discuss remote sensing principles and use
of the electromagnetic spectrum in classification and analyses of land use and land
cover; provide a brief history of remote sensing and introduce two types of
imagery—aerial photos and satellite imagery; present how remotely sensed land
use and land cover is used in hydrological analyses; and finally introduce the newest
remote sensing technologies and their applications for land use and land cover
monitoring.
2 Land Use/Land Cover Classification
2.1 Definition of Land Use and Land Cover
Land use and land cover are terms frequently used interchangeably. However, these
terms have significantly different meanings and applications. Land cover refers to
physical features on the surface of the Earth—vegetation, water, the built-up land.
Whereas, land use specifically refers to the human (economic) utility of what is on
the Earth’s surface. In some instances, terms used to describe land cover can also
describe land use, for example, forest describes the type of vegetated cover but also
describes a use for industries such as forest products. Although remote sensing can
be used to identify both, often we can think of broad-scale imagery (e.g., satellite
imagery) as primarily portraying land cover, whereas the fine detail of aerial
photography or similar imagery might be required for identification of land use.
Land use mapping is accomplished by partitioning an image into units, usually
polygons, and then assigning each unit to a specific category. Land use/land cover
classifications are strictly naming systems such that each classification contains a
description defining uses falling within a system of mutually exclusive categories.
As an example—a definition for a water classification is Open Water—all areas of
open water, generally with less than 25 % cover of vegetation/land cover [15].
Land Use/Land Cover Monitoring and Geospatial Technologies: An Overview
3