Land Cover Classification Mapping & its uses for Planning

What is Land Cover Classification Mapping? Examples of an actual product Why use Land Cover Classification Mapping for planning? Possible uses for this technology Examples of how it has been used Q & A

What is Land Cover Classification Mapping?

Land Cover Classification Mapping is derived using an automated technique called Accelerated Feature Extraction (AFE) AFE is an iterative, or self-learning software program. It was originally designed for use by the U.S Department of Defense and NASA. It is a much faster and cost effective way to map features on the ground

Natural Color Red, Green & Blue Bands

Color Infrared (CIR) Imagery

Accelerated Feature Extraction

What is Accelerated Feature Extraction (AFE)? Digital Image Classification & Analysis to Detect Features Based on – Pattern Recognition Spectral Content Spatial Context Texture Forest Biomass Urban Forestry

The AFE Process For every project, it is important to use known ground samples to check accuracy When ground samples are compared to “first run” data, the software is adjusted accordingly, yielding greater accuracy Collect a ground sample with known characteristics. Extrapolate the sample to an entire area.

Automated feature extraction yields results that accurately reflect nuance that may otherwise be missed by manual digitization while shrinking project timeframes ManualAutomated

Landcover imagery

7-Class Land Cover Classification Composite RFP Mapping LLC, 2009

High-Visibility Slides Each Feature is Highlighted in Yellow Copyright NCDC Imaging, RFP Mapping LLC, 2009

Bare Soil Copyright RFP Mapping LLC, 2009

This illustrates impervious sure Impervious Surface Copyright RFP Mapping LLC, 2009

Tree Canopy Copyright RFP Mapping LLC, 2009

Water Copyright RFP Mapping LLC, 2009

Healthy Grass / Irrigated Area Copyright RFP Mapping LLC, 2009

Unhealthy Grass / Non-Irrigated Area Copyright RFP Mapping LLC, 2009

Grass Copyright RFP Mapping LLC, 2009

7-Class Land Cover Classification Composite Copyright RFP Mapping LLC, 2009

Why is LCCM Important for Planning? 1.It lets you know what land classes you have 2.It identifies where each class is 3.It lets you know how much of each land class you have

Cited by the APA In the best-practices manual titled “Planning the Urban Forest” the use of LCCM is mentioned as being a great planning tool for urban foresters.

When you have statistical data on the land resource, your planning decisions are better informed, you have a better understanding for the big picture, and can incorporate the needs of many instead of one.

Environmental – habitat, water/air quality, carbon storage & sequestration Economic – heating & cooling, infrastructure & design, increased property values Social – greening initiatives, sense of community, lower crime rates & public health Value of Land Cover Mapping

Land – LU/LC (land conversion), urban heat island, sustainable design, physical modeling Air – carbon market, non-attainment (ozone), quality of life, climate change modeling Water – supply, conservation, watershed protection, modeling tools Modeling, Research & Policy – future land use, program effectiveness, monitoring, outreach, education, economic development

Current Issues that LCCM Addresses Climate Change Green Infrastructure Planning Stormwater Run-off Air Quality

Smart Growth Issues SprawlSmart Growth Transportation More Traffic Congestion More Choices Pedestrians & Cyclists No or Few OptionsSafe Places Open Space ConsumesPreserves Farmland DestroysSupports Environment & Public Health Pollutes and HarmsProtects Cost Pay MoreCost Less Community Takes Resources Away Enhances Source: Smart Growth America

Mapping as a benchmark or baseline LCCM may be used as the benchmark for measurement when many planning projects begin. It is easily repeatable, and due to its scientific nature, results are easy to measure.

LCCM is cost effective and far less time consuming than manual methodology. It is created via accelerated feature extraction software, and offers a very high degree of accuracy. It integrates easily with existing GIS. And, in- house data such as street center lines or parcel data increase its value!

It may be used by virtually every department in a city or municipality. Also, the GIS information may be used with GoogleEarth © making it extremely easy for the public to view and offer input on specific projects.

Possible uses for Land Cover Classification Mapping It is a planning tool that helps to calculate the environmental, economic and social value of urban green space by scientifically demonstrating the impact it has on air quality, water quality, carbon sequestration, and stormwater run-off.

Possible uses for Land Cover Classification Mapping Stormwater modeling Water conservation Streets and sanitation Urban forestry Zoning Parks and recreation Transportation Land conservation and acquisition

Possible uses for Land Cover Classification Mapping Wildfire risk analysis Wildlife corridor planning Watershed management Utility vegetation management Green infrastructure planning

Local examples of Land Cover Classification Mapping Projects

Calculating Impervious Area by Parcel

Bull Valley, IL A community that is very environmentally focused Wanted to create a modeling program to promote “Smart Growth”

Use land cover data to prevent an influx of “un-smart” development Take a proactive stance in protecting precious water resources Use land cover mapping and other software as a modeling tool to help mitigate ground water loss Protect wetlands and sustain biodiversity Bull Valley, IL

Preventing Urban Sprawl

Barrington, IL Geographically, a community that is known for it’s beauty, hilly, many natural bodies of water Well established residentially and commercially, many older buildings Older stormwater infrastructure system in some areas Homeowners have filled in natural drainage ditches to beautify their properties

A northwest suburb of Chicago Challenged with flooding issues Wanted to create a stormwater utility Purchased 6-class landcover product to help mitigate stormwater run-off problems, create a stormwater utility, and create a benchmark for future studies Barrington, IL

Other users: The City of Chicago, Department of the Environment. They wanted to know the best places to plant trees of varying sizes throughout the city. Milwaukee, WI. Department of Forestry, had a need to identify the location of all of the ash trees within the city limits, on a parcel basis.

Thank-you for your time! Questions and answers. Bill Peel RFP Mapping, LLC 930 Pyott Road, Crystal Lake, IL suite 100,