An edge-oriented approach to thematic map error assessment

摘要

The objective of this analysis is to develop a method of classification error assessment that can contribute to techniques designed to evaluate change products with an emphasis on edge locations in landscapes. Reference land-cover data were developed within 10 randomly sampled regions across the study site, approximately 9 km ~2 each. Sample pixels were partitioned and allocated among two domain categories, interior and edge. The assignment of pixels to domain categories was based on neighbourhood heterogeneity. Classification error was assessed within domain categories on a pixel-by-pixel basis, evaluating agreement between map values and majority land cover. To demonstrate the methodology, we present summary results for this technique applied to a land-cover classification of south-central Indiana. Omission error was less than 8.3% within interior domains and from 25.8% to 36.4% in the edge. Commission error was below 26.7% within the interior domains and ranged from 13.9 to 74.6% in the edge domains.