GEOG 498R and 617 (3 credits) Spring 2015
Land Cover Characterization Using Multi-Spectral
Remotely Sensed Data Sets
Instructors:
Matthew C. Hansen
E-mail: mhansen@umd.edu (best method of contact)
Tel: 301 405 9714
Office: LeFrak Hall 1135
Office hours: 11.00am -12pm Monday and Wednesday
Peter V. Potapov
E-mail: potapov@umd.edu
Alexandra Tyukavina
E-mail: atyukav@umd.edu
Classes:
2:00 – 4:00 Monday (LeFrak Hall 1124/1136)
3:00 – 5:00 Wednesday (LeFrak Hall 1124/1136)
First Class:
Spring Break:
Last class:
Final examination:
Wednesday, January 27, 2014
March 16-23 (Sunday-Sunday)
Wednesday, May 13, 2012
No final Exam. For assessment method, see below.
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Course objectives: The course will be a lab practical. Students will be introduced to
the image processing steps required for characterizing land cover extent and
change. Key components of land cover characterization, including image
interpretation, algorithm implementation, feature space selection, thematic output
definition, and scripting will be discussed and implemented.
Learning outcomes: Students will a) understand the concepts behind land cover
classification, b) gain experience in implementing land cover classification algorithms
and c) prepare reports and presentations explaining their work and results
Prerequisites: GEOG372, and GEOG472, and GEOG306, or permission by the
Department of Geographical Sciences.
Course Texts: There is no required text. Selected readings peer-reviewed journals will
be assigned.
Assessment: Grades will be determined by a series of projects and student led
discussions.
Project 1 – 10% - Handout summarizing multi-resolution land cover analysis.
Review papers discussion – 10% – Each student will lead a discussion on an assigned
paper. Each paper will focus on an aspect of land cover research, with topics ranging
from methodological advances to the implications of land change on natural systems.
Project 2 – 20% – Three to five page single-spaced paper with figures on forest cover
extent and change study, including the following elements: Introduction to study area
and background forest change dynamic, Data input description, Method of
characterization, Results, including accuracy assessment and analysis of input features,
Conclusion. Graduate students only will present their results to the class in the form of
a 10 minute PowerPoint presentation.
Project 3 – 60% – Independent study, including a presentation (30%) and letter-style
manuscript (30%) of a land cover change analysis of each student’s choice. For
undergraduate students, the same form of report as Project 2 is required. Graduate
studnets should use a peer-reviewed journal, such as Remote Sensing eetters, as the
model for the organization and structure of their manuscript. All students will present
their results to the class in the form of a 15 minute PowerPoint presentation.
Examination dates: There are no traditional examinations – see Assessment above.
Provisional calendar
January 27 – Lecture – Multi-spectral information domains
January 29 – Lecture – Land cover characterization
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February 3 – Lecture – Land cover characterization, continued
February 5 – Lab – Introduction to PCI – image formats, data types, commands, image driver
February 10 – Lab – Classification of RapidEye, Landsat and MODIS samples into soybean
cultivated area
February 12 – Lecture – Land cover validation
February 17 – Lab – Multi-scale mapping and product intercomparisons
February 19 – Lab – Multi-scale mapping and product intercomparisons
February 24 – Lab – Multi-scale mapping and product intercomparisons
February 26 – Lab – Multi-scale mapping and product intercomparisons
March 3 – Lecture – Land cover change – Lab one worksheet due
March 5 – Lab – Landsat forest cover change mapping
March 10 – Lab – Landsat forest cover change mapping
March 12 – Lab – Landsat forest cover change mapping
March 17 – Spring Break – no class
March 19 – Spring Break – no class
March 24 – Lecture – Land cover modification
March 26 – Lecture – Graduate student presentations forest change papers due - Large area
land cover mapping
March 31 – Lecture – Review papers discussion
April 2 – Lecture – Review papers discussion
April 7 – AAG meeting – no class, lab optional
April 9 – AAG meeting – no class, lab optional
April 14 – Lecture – Project feasibility/progress discussion
April 16 – Lab – Independent project
April 21 – Lab – Independent project
April 23 – Lab – Independent project
April 28 – Lab – Independent project
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April 30 – Lab – Independent project
May 5 – Lecture – Project presentations
May 7 – Lecture – Project presentations
May 12 – Lecture – Project presentations
Review papers – to be assigned one per student:
Tucker, C., Townshend, J., and Goff, T., 1985, African land-cover classification using
satellite data, Science, 227, 369-375.
Woodcock, C., and Strahler, A., 1987, The factor of scale in remote sensing, Remote
Sensing of Environment, 21, 311-332.
Skole, D., and Tucker, C., 1993, Tropical deforestation and habitat fragmentation in the
Amazon: Satellite data from 1978 to 1988, Science, 260, 1905-1910.
Cihlar, J., 2000, Land cover mapping of large areas from satellites: Status and research
priorities, International Journal of Remote Sensing, 21, 1093-1114.
Hansen, M., and Loveland, T., 2012, A review of large area monitoring of land cover
change using Landsat data, Remote Sensing of Environment, 122, 66-74.
Lambin, E., et al., 2001, The causes of land-use and land-cover change: Moving
beyond the myths, Global Environmental Change, 11, 261-269.
Foley, J., et al., 2005, Global consequences of land use, Science, 309, 570-574.
Dale, V., 1997, The relationship between land-use change and climate change,
Ecological Applications, 7, 753-769.
Pielke, R., et al., 2007, An overview of regional land-use and land-cover impacts on
rainfall, Tellus, 59, 587-601.
Official Notices:
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Attendance and participation: You are strongly advised to attend and participate
in all lectures since this will provide a basic understanding of the subject matter
of the course particularly as no text book is assigned. The course grade is
dependent upon successful completion of written papers. Active participation in
discussions is an important part of this class. The campus policy on excused
absences is stated on page 37 of the University of Maryland Undergraduate
Catalog (http://www.umd.edu/catalog/0405/chapter4.pdf)
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Disabilities: If you have a documented disability and wish to discuss academic
accommodations, please contact the Instructor as early as possible. I will make
every effort to accommodate students who are registered with the Disability
Support Services (DSS) Office and who provide me with a University of Maryland
DSS Accommodation form which has been updated for the 2012 Spring
semester. This form must be presented to me no later than February 1, 2012. I
am not able to accommodate students who are not registered with DSS or who
do not provide me with documentation which has been reviewed by DSS.
Academic Integrity Expectations: The University of Maryland, College Park has a
nationally recognized Code of Academic Integrity, administered by the Student
Honor Council. This Code sets standards for academic integrity at Maryland for
all undergraduate and graduate students. As a student you are responsible for
upholding these standards for this course. It is very important for you to be aware
of the consequences of cheating, fabrication, facilitation, and plagiarism. For
more information on the Code of Academic Integrity or the Student Honor
Council, please visit: http://www.studenthonorcouncil.umd.edu/whatis.html
By registering for this course you indicate your acceptance of these provisions for
academic integrity.
Students are expected to treat each other with respect. Disruptive behavior of
any kind will not be tolerated. Students who are unable to show civility with one
another, or myself will be subject to being referred to the Office of Student
Conduct or to Campus Police. You are expected to adhere to the Code of
Student Conduct.
Campus Senate policy requires students who are absent due to illness/injury to
furnish documentary support to the instructor. I require students to contact me by
email or by phone, where possible, prior to class time in which you indicate that
you have an illness or an injury. You must provide written documentation
verifying your illness/injury immediately upon your return to class. You will not be
allowed to turn in missed assignments or make up quizzes, tests, papers, etc. if
you have not provided this documentation. Documentation not presented to me
in a timely manner will not be accepted. In addition, if it is found that you have
falsified the documentation provided, I will refer you to the University’s Student
Conduct Office.
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