Author(s): JONATHAN, M.; SIMÕES, M.; COUTINHO, H. L. da C.; BERROIR, J.-P.; HERLIN, I.

Summary: This paper describes a methodology for the improvement of current capabilities for long-term monitoring of land use. A previously published methodology for the classification of land use and land cover using data from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) is presented, which takes advantage of that sensor’s high temporal frequency, extensive coverage, and extremely low costs for data acquisition. Then, a state-transition diagram is proposed in order to enhance that methodology by incorporating extra information in the form of a priori knowledge of land use dynamics, thus making it possible for the classification algorithm to take advantage of the temporal context of each point within the region of analysis. Finally, it is argued how such an approach can significantly improve the classification process not only in terms of overall accuracy but also in terms of better describing the land use and land cover classes found within the area of study.

Publication year: 2007

Types of publication: Paper in annals and proceedings

Unit: Embrapa Soils

Keywords: Land use change, Remote sensing, Sensoriamento Remoto, Uso da Terra