A Scalable Synthesis of Multiple Models of Geo Big Data Interpretation

Abstract

The paper proposes a scalable fuzzy approach for mapping the status of the environment integrating several distinct models exploiting geo big data. The process is structured into two phases: the first one can exploit products yielded by distinct models of remote sensing image interpretation defined in the scientific literature, and knowledge of domain experts, possibly ill-defined, for computing partial evidence of a phenomenon. The second phase integrates the partial evidence maps through a learning mechanism exploiting ground truth to compute a synthetic Environmental Status Indicator (ESI) map. The proposal resembles an ensemble approach with the difference that the aggregation is not necessarily consensual but can model a distinct decision attitude in between pessimistic and optimistic. It is scalable and can be implemented in a distributed processing framework, so as to make feasible ESI mapping in near real time to support land monitoring. It is exemplified to map the presence of standing water areas, indicator of water resources, agro-practices or natural hazard from remote sensing by considering different models.