Quantifying environmental change from high resolution remotely sensed imagery using a composite ecosystem degradation index

摘要

The objecitve of this study was to evaluate environmental impacts surrounding a freshowater reservoir in South Carolina using landscape ecology pattern and structure metrics calculated from high-resolution optical/infrared imagery. in preparation for satellite-based studies using platofrms such as SPOT-5, IRS-P5, Orbview 3 & 4, and Ikonos satelites, digital high-altitude color infrared (NAPP) and Airborne Terrestral Applicatiosn Sesor (ATLAS) data were analyzed for a shoreline surrounding a freshwater reservoir in South Carlina subject to degradation from urban encroachment. An index was developed using a genetic learning neural network to mimic the impact rating given each section of the shoreline by experts in the field. It is hoped that this index can be extended on global scale by using high resolution satellites to allow for a standard index that would reduce the often subjective nature of shoreline degradation evaluations.