Abstract

This paper discusses research methodology to develop Land Use Land Cover (LULC) maps for the Lower Mekong Basin (LMB) for basin planning, using both MODIS and Landsat satellite data. The 2010 MODIS MOD09 and MYD09 8-day reflectance data was processed into monthly NDVI maps with the Time Series Product Tool software package and then used to classify regionally common forest and agricultural LULC types. Dry season circa 2010 Landsat top of atmosphere reflectance mosaics were classified to map locally common LULC types. Unsupervised ISODATA clustering was used to derive most LULC classifications. MODIS and Landsat classifications were combined with GIS methods to derive final 250-m LULC maps for Sub-basins (SBs) 1–8 of the LMB. The SB 7 LULC map with 14 classes was assessed for accuracy. This assessment compared random locations for sampled types on the SB 7 LULC map to geospatial reference data such as Landsat RGBs, MODIS NDVI phenologic profiles, high resolution satellite data, and Mekong River Commission data (e.g., crop calendars). The SB 7 LULC map showed an overall agreement to reference data of ~81%. By grouping three deciduous forest classes into one, the overall agreement improved to ~87%. The project enabled updated regional LULC maps that included more detailed agriculture LULC types. LULC maps were supplied to project partners to improve use of Soil and Water Assessment Tool for modeling hydrology and water use, plus enhance LMB water and disaster management in a region vulnerable to flooding, droughts, and anthropogenic change as part of basin planning and assessment.

Highlights

  • This paper discusses results of a study that was conducted to update and validate Land Use Land Cover (LULC) maps for the Lower Mekong Basin (LMB) as part of a larger, collaborative project between National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), United States Geological Survey (USGS), Texas A&M University, University of South Carolina, and the Mekong River Commission (MRC)

  • The project included computation and updates of LULC maps that were in turn used as a primary input to MRC Soil Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) hydrologic models developed for multiple sub-basins of the LMB

  • The error matrix for LULC classification at full classification scheme specificity is shown in Table 3, whereas Table 4 reports the error matrix for a more simplified LULC classification in which deciduous forest classes were grouped into one singular class

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Summary

Introduction

This paper discusses results of a study that was conducted to update and validate Land Use Land Cover (LULC) maps for the Lower Mekong Basin (LMB) as part of a larger, collaborative project between National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), United States Geological Survey (USGS), Texas A&M University, University of South Carolina, and the Mekong River Commission (MRC). Nasa.gov/) and aimed to provide updated and improved hydrological monitoring and modeling tools for the Lower Mekong River Basin. This effort used NASA remote sensing systems and data to help improve Mekong River Commission (MRC) Soil Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) models for sub-basins (SBs) 1–8. The project included computation and updates of LULC maps that were in turn used as a primary input to MRC SWAT hydrologic models developed for multiple sub-basins of the LMB. The LULC component of the project is discussed in this paper in terms of introductory background information, methods, results, and conclusions

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