Using ALOS/PALSAR and RADARSAT-2 to Map Land Cover and Seasonal Inundation in the Brazilian Pantanal Teresa Evans Maycira Costa University of Victoria, Department of Geography, SPECTRAL Laboratory
Study Area – The Brazilian Pantanal
Importance, threats…
Radar Backscatter Variability
HIERARCHICAL CLASSIFICATION STRATEGY Multiresolution Segmentation using ALOS Feb and July, RSAT HH/HV Multiple hierarchical classification rules determined based on objects values and backscattering variability Level 1 Level 2 Open Water Aquatic Vegetation Savanna Forest Multiresolution Segmentation - single date ALOS imagery > -5dB Flooded Forest < -5dB Non-Flooded Forest Grassland/Agriculture < -18dB Flooded Grassland/Agriculture > -18dB Non-Flooded Grassland/Agriculture Jan-07Feb-07May-07Jul-07Aug-08Nov m 50m100m HH HH/HVHH L-band C-bandL-band
Level 1 Overall Accuracy ~ 81% Highest degree of confusion between Savanna class and both Forest, and Grasslands/Agriculture due the high degree of cross-over between classes
Level 2 The first temporal flood distribution data of the entire Pantanal over one hydrological cycle
Current research...(new and improved!) Jan-07Feb-07 Feb/Mar- 08Apr-09May-07Jul-07 Aug/Sept -08Aug-08Aug-09Oct-07Nov m 50m100m 50m 100m HH HH/HVHH L-band C-bandL-band Fine spatial resolution 12.5m L and C-band dual- season for Nhecolândia sub- region; Additional dates and addition of dual- season 50m for coarse resolution Pantanal flood analysis for 100m
Will be used for: 1) ongoing local habitat studies in the region (marsh deer, jaguar) 2) Baseline data for monitoring 3) Important information to aid in defining conservation areas
Acknowledgements SAR Imagery Ancillary Data FUNDING! FOR MORE INFORMATION… Contact me (Teresa Evans) Or visit my website: Questions?