Evaluation of a signature extension approach for monitoring ecological integrity in and around protected areas: A case study for Prince Albert National Park

摘要

In this study, a signature extension approach to land cover change detection is explored to develop an earth observation based approach for monitoring ecological integrity in Canada's National Parks. The approach utilizes a new radiometric normalization technique to stabilize signatures through time for multi-temporal land cover mapping via signature extension and post classification comparison. The advantage of the new approach is that it can be highly automated allowing for rapid land cover time series generation and change analysis. Using Landsat imagery from 1985-2001, it was found that this new technique can effectively identify changes relevant to the ecological integrity of the greater Prince Albert National Park ecosystem with two example applications: 1) water coverage and 2) coarse scale forest landscape pattern assessment. Limitations of the approach are discussed as well as the potential for improvement through incorporation of expert knowledge.