Object-based image analysis of remote sensing data

Abstract

Remote sensing has developed various methods and technologies for contactless and cost-effective mapping of large area land cover/land use maps and other thematic maps. The key factor for the availability and reliability of these maps for use in Earth sciences is the development of effective procedures for satellite data analysis and classification. The most appropriate approach for classifying low and medium resolution satellite images (pixel size is coarser than, or at best similar to, the size of geographical objects) is pixelbased classification in which an individual pixel is classified into the closest class based on its spectral similarity. With increasing spatial resolution, pixel-based classification methods became less effective, since the relationship between the pixel size and the dimension of the observed objects on the Earth's surface has changed significantly. Therefore object-oriented classification has become increasingly popular over the past decade. This combines segmentation (which is a fundamental phase of the approach) and contextual classification. Segmentation divides the image into homogeneous pixel groups (segments), which are – during the semantic classification process arranged into classes based on their spectral, geometric, textural and other features during. The intent of this paper is to present the theoretical argumentation and methodology of object-based image analysis of remote sensing data, provide an overview of the field and point out certain restrictions as regards the current operational solutions.