This book describes recent progress in object-based image interpretation. It presents new results in its application to verification of nuclear non-proliferation. A comprehensive workflow and newly developed algorithms for object-based high resolution image (pre-) processing, feature extraction, change detection, classification and interpretation are developed, applied and evaluated. The analysis chain is demonstrated with satellite imagery acquired over Iranian nuclear facilities.
Several emerging phenomena and technologies, such as the increasing availability of open source software and the continuing evolution of distributed computing, are introducing a new dynamic into information system development. Emerging Spatial Information Systems and Applications presents innovative spatial information systems that have been developed for a specific problem or decision-making situation and discusses key concepts and theories underlying current spatial information systems, as well as technology trends and emerging concepts that may impact spatial information system development and applications.
Our planet is nowadays continuously monitored by powerful remote sensors operating in wide portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Our capability of acquiring detailed information on the environment has been revolutionized by revealing its inner structure, morphology and dynamical changes. The way we now observe and study the evolution of the Earths status has even radically influenced our perception and conception of the world we live in. The aim of this book is to bring together contributions from experts to present new research results and prospects of the future developments in the area of geosciences and remote sensing, emerging research directions are discussed. The volume consists of twenty-six chapters, encompassing both theoretical aspects and application-oriented studies. An unfolding perspective on various current trends in this extremely rich area is offered. The book chapters can be categorized along different perspectives, among others, use of active or passive sensors, employed technologies and configurations, considered scenario on the Earth, scientific research area involved in the studies.
This book introduces readers to the polarimetric synthetic aperture radar (PolSAR) system, its information processing, and imaging applications. The content is divided into three main parts: Part I, on the research scope of PolSAR, addresses the underlying theory and system design, polarimetric SAR interferometry (PolInSAR), compact PolSAR, and calibration of PolSAR. Part II, which focuses on information processing, highlights the new theories and methods used in PolSAR, such as statistical properties analysis for images, speckle reduction, image enhancement, polarimetric target decomposition, and classification of PolSAR target detection. In turn, Part III, on the applications of polarimetric SAR, discusses the geophysical parameter retrieval of PolSAR data, polarimetric interferometric SAR information processing, compact polarimetric interferometric SAR information processing, and the effects of terrain tilt in azimuth direction on PolSAR data. The book provides a comprehensive and systematic guide to the system, integrating theory and practice, and has a highly application-oriented focus. Presenting new theories, methods and achievements made in polarimetric microwave imaging in recent years, it offers a valuable asset for researchers, engineers and scientists in the area of remote sensing and radar imaging. It can also be used as a reference book for university educators and graduate students.
Big data has always been a major challenge in geoinformatics as geospatial data come in various types and formats, new geospatial data are acquired very fast, and geospatial databases are inherently very large. And while there have been advances in hardware and software for handling big data, they often fall short of handling geospatial big data efficiently and effectively. Big Data: Techniques and Technologies in Geoinformatics tackles these challenges head on, integrating coverage of techniques and technologies for storing, managing, and computing geospatial big data. Providing a perspective based on analysis of time, applications, and resources, this book familiarizes readers with geospatial applications that fall under the category of big data. It explores new trends in geospatial data collection, such as geo-crowdsourcing and advanced data collection technologies such as LiDAR point clouds. The book features a range of topics on big data techniques and technologies in geoinformatics including distributed computing, geospatial data analytics, social media, and volunteered geographic information. With chapters contributed by experts in geoinformatics and in domains such as computing and engineering, the book provides an understanding of the challenges and issues of big data in geoinformatics applications. The book is a single collection of current and emerging techniques, technologies, and tools that are needed to collect, analyze, manage, process, and visualize geospatial big data.
Land use and land cover (LULC) as well as its changes (LUCC) are an interplay between bio-geophysical characteristics of the landscape and climate as well as the complex human interaction including its different patterns of utilization superimposed on the natural vegetation. LULC is a core information layer for a variety of scientific and administrative tasks(e.g. hydrological modelling, climate models, land use planning).In particular in the context of climate change with its impacts on socio-economic, socio-ecologic systems as well as ecosystem services precise information on LULC and LUCC are mandatory baseline datasets required over large areas. Remote sensing can provide such information on different levels of detail and in a homogeneous and reliable way. Hence, LULC mapping can be regarded as a prototype for integrated approaches based on spaceborne and airborne remote sensing techniques combined with field observations. The book provides for the first time a comprehensive view of various LULC activities focusing on European initiatives, such as the LUCAS surveys, the CORINE land covers, the ESA/EU GMES program and its resulting Fast-Track- and Downstream Services, the EU JRC Global Land Cover, the ESA GlobCover project as well as the ESA initiative on Essential Climate Variables. All have and are producing highly appreciated land cover products. The book will cover the operational approaches, but also review current state-of-the-art scientific methodologies and recommendations for this field. It opens the view with best-practice examples that lead to a view that exceeds pure mapping, but to investigate into drivers and causes as well as future projections.
The recent launches of three fully polarimetric synthetic aperture radar (PolSAR) satellites have shown that polarimetric radar imaging can provide abundant data on the Earth’s environment, such as biomass and forest height estimation, snow cover mapping, glacier monitoring, and damage assessment. Written by two of the most recognized leaders in this field, Polarimetric Radar Imaging: From Basics to Applications presents polarimetric radar imaging and processing techniques and shows how to develop remote sensing applications using PolSAR imaging radar. The book provides a substantial and balanced introduction to the basic theory and advanced concepts of polarimetric scattering mechanisms, speckle statistics and speckle filtering, polarimetric information analysis and extraction techniques, and applications typical to radar polarimetric remote sensing. It explains the importance of wave polarization theory and the speckle phenomenon in the information retrieval problem of microwave imaging and inverse scattering. The authors demonstrate how to devise intelligent information extraction algorithms for remote sensing applications. They also describe more advanced polarimetric analysis techniques for polarimetric target decompositions, polarization orientation effects, polarimetric scattering modeling, speckle filtering, terrain and forest classification, manmade target analysis, and PolSAR interferometry. With sample PolSAR data sets and software available for download, this self-contained, hands-on book encourages you to analyze space-borne and airborne PolSAR and polarimetric interferometric SAR (Pol-InSAR) data and then develop applications using this data.
Written by leading global experts, including pioneers in the field, the four-volume set on Hyperspectral Remote Sensing of Vegetation, Second Edition, reviews existing state-of-the-art knowledge, highlights advances made in different areas, and provides guidance for the appropriate use of hyperspectral data in the study and management of agricultural crops and natural vegetation. Volume IV, Advanced Applications in Remote Sensing of Agricultural Crops and Natural Vegetation discusses the use of hyperspectral or imaging spectroscopy data in numerous specific and advanced applications, such as forest management, precision farming, managing invasive species, and local to global land cover change detection. It emphasizes the importance of hyperspectral remote sensing tools for studying vegetation processes and functions as well as the appropriate use of hyperspectral data for vegetation management practices. The concluding chapter provides readers with useful guidance on the highlights and essence of Volume IV through the editors’ perspective. Key Features of Volume IV: Guides readers to harness the capabilities of the most recent advances in applying hyperspectral remote sensing technology to the study of terrestrial vegetation. Includes specific applications on agriculture, crop management practices, study of crop stress and diseases, crop characteristics based on inputs (e.g., nitrogen, irrigation), study of vegetation impacted by heavy metals, gross and net primary productivity studies, light use efficiency studies, crop water use and actual evapotranspiration studies, phenology monitoring, land use and land cover studies, global change studies, plant species detection, wetland and forest characterization and mapping, crop productivity and crop water productivity mapping, and modeling. Encompasses hyperspectral or imaging spectroscopy data in narrow wavebands used across visible, red-edge, near-infrared, far-infrared, shortwave infrared, and thermal portions of the spectrum. Explains the implementation of hyperspectral remote sensing data processing mechanisms in a standard, fast, and efficient manner for their applications. Discusses cloud computing to overcome hyperspectral remote sensing massive big data challenges. Provides hyperspectral analysis of rocky surfaces on the earth and other planetary systems.
The two-volume set LNCS 8935 and 8936 constitutes the thoroughly refereed proceedings of the 21st International Conference on Multimedia Modeling, MMM 2015, held in Sydney, Australia, in January 2015. The 49 revised regular papers, 24 poster presentations, were carefully reviewed and selected from 189 submissions. For the three special session, a total of 18 papers were accepted for MMM 2015. The three special sessions are Personal (Big) Data Modeling for Information Access and Retrieval, Social Geo-Media Analytics and Retrieval and Image or video processing, semantic analysis and understanding. In addition, 9 demonstrations and 9 video showcase papers were accepted for MMM 2015. The accepted contributions included in these two volumes represent the state-of-the-art in multimedia modeling research and cover a diverse range of topics including: Image and Video Processing, Multimedia encoding and streaming, applications of multimedia modelling and 3D and augmented reality.
