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Unmanned aerial vehicles as innovative remote sensing platforms for high‐resolution infrared imagery to support restoration monitoring in cut‐over bogs
Author(s) -
Knoth Christian,
Klein Birte,
Prinz Torsten,
Kleinebecker Till
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
applied vegetation science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.096
H-Index - 64
eISSN - 1654-109X
pISSN - 1402-2001
DOI - 10.1111/avsc.12024
Subject(s) - bog , remote sensing , panchromatic film , peat , computer science , environmental science , segmentation , artificial intelligence , frame (networking) , multispectral image , computer vision , geology , ecology , biology , telecommunications
Question Can UAV ‐based NIR remote sensing support restoration monitoring of cut‐over bogs by providing valid information on species distribution and surface structure? Location Restored polders of the U chter M oor, a bog complex in NW G ermany. Methods We used autonomously flying quadrocopters, supplied with either a panchromatic or colour infrared calibrated small frame digital camera to generate high resolution images of the restored bog surface. We performed a two‐step classification process of automatic image segmentation and object‐based classification to distinguish between four pre‐defined classes (waterlogged bare peat, S phagnum spp., E riophorum vaginatum and B etula pubescens . An independent validation procedure was performed to evaluate the accuracy of the classification. Results A set‐up composed of decision rules for reflectance, geometry and textural features was applied for identification of the four classes. The presented classification revealed an overall accuracy level of 91%. Most reliable attribution was obtained for waterlogged bare peat and S phagnum ‐covered surfaces, revealing producer accuracies of 95% and 91%, respectively. Lower but still feasible accuracy levels were obtained for E riophorum vaginatum and B etula pubescens individuals (89% and 84%, respectively). Conclusions UAV ‐based NIR remote sensing is a promising tool for monitoring the restoration of cut‐over bogs and has the potential to significantly reduce laborious field surveys. UAV s may increasingly play a significant role in future ecological monitoring studies, since they are small in size, highly flexible, easy to handle, non‐emissive and available at a comparatively low cost.