138
Conclusion
The Norfolk mapping project demonstrated that the Crick approach was transferable
to a lowland situation. It highlighted the importance of understanding the ecology
of the area, at a range of spatial scales. Using ecological knowledge, including
fieldwork to understand how the habitats are manifested in the imagery, and to
document the key ecological features identifiable in EO was an essential step in the
process. The constraints of being unable to map certain habitats can be overcome
by the NBIS, through the creation of a ‘Living Map’ programme where targeted
field- based assessment decreases the uncertainties in the map. At a site scale, the
combined use of satellite and UAV data illustrated that the Crick technique has
many potential uses for site managers.
Maps are key learning and engagement tools for local authorities, government
agencies, charities and environmental groups. The regional map of Norfolk has provided an overview of habitats in the county at a field/part-field level. The site mapping using UAVs highlighted how useful it is to be able to accurately identify small
features on sites such as bare ground, patches of nettles (Urtica dioica) and the
spread of invasive species. The future uses for EO data are expanding, with habitat
mapping a key element, but also with opportunities to inform habitat condition
monitoring, assessments of landscape change and to map habitat restoration and
green infrastructure.
References
Bell, G., Neal, S., Medcalf, K.: Use of remote sensing to produce a habitat map of Norfolk. Ecol.
Inform. 30, 293–299 (2015)
Blaschke, T., Lang, S., Hay, G.J.: Object Based Image Analysis for Remote Sensing. Springer,
Berlin/Heidelberg (2008)
Breyer, J., Pike, S., Medcalf, K., Parker J.: Making Earth Observa-tion Work (MEOW) for UK
Biodiversity Monitoring and Surveillance, Phase 4: Testing applications in habitat condition
assessment. A report to Defra, prepared by Environment Systems, Ltd (2016)
Burnett, C., Blaschke, T.: A multi-scale segmentation/object rela-tionship modelling methodology
for landscape analysis. Ecol. Model. 168, 233–249 (2003)
Cole, B., McMorrow, J., Evans, M.: Spectral monitoring of moorland plant phenology to identify a
temporal window for hyperspectral remote sensing of peatland. ISPRS J. Photogramm. Remote
Sens. 90, 48–58 (2014)
Convention for Biodiversity (CBD): Decision X/2. Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011–2020 and
the Aichi Biodiversity Targets, Nagoya, Japan, 18–29 October 2010. [online] https://www.cbd.
int/decision/cop/default.shtml?id=12268 C and https://www.cbd.int/sp/ (2010)
Defra: Biodiversity 2020: A Strategy for England’s Wildlife and Ecosys-tem Services (2011)
Environment Systems: Making Earth Observation Work for UK Biodi-versity Conservation –
Phase 2: Crick Framework User manual. JNCC: http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/page-6281 (2012)
Franke, J., Keuck, V., Siegert, F.: Assessment of grassland use intensity by remote sensing to support conservation schemes. J. Nat. Conserv. 20(3), 125–134 (2012)
K. Medcalf et al.
Conclusion
The Norfolk mapping project demonstrated that the Crick approach was transferable
to a lowland situation. It highlighted the importance of understanding the ecology
of the area, at a range of spatial scales. Using ecological knowledge, including
fieldwork to understand how the habitats are manifested in the imagery, and to
document the key ecological features identifiable in EO was an essential step in the
process. The constraints of being unable to map certain habitats can be overcome
by the NBIS, through the creation of a ‘Living Map’ programme where targeted
field- based assessment decreases the uncertainties in the map. At a site scale, the
combined use of satellite and UAV data illustrated that the Crick technique has
many potential uses for site managers.
Maps are key learning and engagement tools for local authorities, government
agencies, charities and environmental groups. The regional map of Norfolk has provided an overview of habitats in the county at a field/part-field level. The site mapping using UAVs highlighted how useful it is to be able to accurately identify small
features on sites such as bare ground, patches of nettles (Urtica dioica) and the
spread of invasive species. The future uses for EO data are expanding, with habitat
mapping a key element, but also with opportunities to inform habitat condition
monitoring, assessments of landscape change and to map habitat restoration and
green infrastructure.
References
Bell, G., Neal, S., Medcalf, K.: Use of remote sensing to produce a habitat map of Norfolk. Ecol.
Inform. 30, 293–299 (2015)
Blaschke, T., Lang, S., Hay, G.J.: Object Based Image Analysis for Remote Sensing. Springer,
Berlin/Heidelberg (2008)
Breyer, J., Pike, S., Medcalf, K., Parker J.: Making Earth Observa-tion Work (MEOW) for UK
Biodiversity Monitoring and Surveillance, Phase 4: Testing applications in habitat condition
assessment. A report to Defra, prepared by Environment Systems, Ltd (2016)
Burnett, C., Blaschke, T.: A multi-scale segmentation/object rela-tionship modelling methodology
for landscape analysis. Ecol. Model. 168, 233–249 (2003)
Cole, B., McMorrow, J., Evans, M.: Spectral monitoring of moorland plant phenology to identify a
temporal window for hyperspectral remote sensing of peatland. ISPRS J. Photogramm. Remote
Sens. 90, 48–58 (2014)
Convention for Biodiversity (CBD): Decision X/2. Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011–2020 and
the Aichi Biodiversity Targets, Nagoya, Japan, 18–29 October 2010. [online] https://www.cbd.
int/decision/cop/default.shtml?id=12268 C and https://www.cbd.int/sp/ (2010)
Defra: Biodiversity 2020: A Strategy for England’s Wildlife and Ecosys-tem Services (2011)
Environment Systems: Making Earth Observation Work for UK Biodi-versity Conservation –
Phase 2: Crick Framework User manual. JNCC: http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/page-6281 (2012)
Franke, J., Keuck, V., Siegert, F.: Assessment of grassland use intensity by remote sensing to support conservation schemes. J. Nat. Conserv. 20(3), 125–134 (2012)
K. Medcalf et al.