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Aerial imagery processing and classification training for the Upper Mississippi River System 2010 Land Cover/Land Use Project

Robinson, Larry. 2011. Aerial imagery processing and classification training for the Upper Mississippi River System 2010 Land Cover/Land Use Project. U.S. Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, La Crosse, Wisconsin, Long Term Resource Monitoring Program Completion Report 2009LCU1 submitted to the US Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island, Illinois. 10 pp. (Please request reprints of the document from the author, Larry Robinson).

Abstract

With the acquisition of the digital aerial camera, traditional, analog film-based methodologies no longer apply to the photointerpretation and data automation process. Instead of manual interpretation of 9"X9" aerial transparencies using a stereoscope and technical pen, the photointerpreter will classify a stereo image on-screen with a mouse. Since the aerial imagery is already referenced to the earth, land cover classes will likewise be georeferenced as they are delineated and labeled. There are numerous computer applications available to implement this new workflow and each has cost and technical expertise consideration. How well does this application integrate into existing workflows? Is this application fairly intuitive to use or overly complicated? Is it continually being upgraded and improved? How well is it supported?

Considerations also exist regarding the digital imagery and must be addressed prior to the systemic acquisition of the UMRS floodplain. Addressing many of these considerations is the purpose of this report and they are discussed below.

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