Orthophoto Images Research Articles

MONITORING OF HEAPS USING VARIOUS TECHNOLOGIES

Coal heaps are frequently self-burning by definite environmental conditions, therefore thermal activity monitoring of these localities is important. For this purpose, data from terrestrial measurement or thermal infrared images are used. Subsurface coal fires monitored by terrestrial measurement by contact thermometers are time-consuming and dangerous because of landslides. That is a reason why coal fires are mostly monitored by thermal infrared images through remote sensing, i.e. satellite-borne or airborne data, which is much more suitable for thermal activity monitoring.The satellite data do not have sufficient geometric resolution (60 - 120m per pixel), aerial thermal data are accurate, but expensive. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV or better RPAS - remotely piloted aircraft systems) can be solution – thermal images obtained by RPAS have good geometric resolution and can be used for small areas only and our case project areas are not so big. From economic point of view, low cost technology is preferred.The article describes opportunities of low-cost thermal infrared data, the use of RPAS (mapping by Microkopter system) in thermal monitoring and photogrammetric tasks (coal heaps) such as low cost aerial thermal mapping. The problems of planning and data acquisition are illustrated by creating an orthophoto. Theoretical preparation of data acquisition deals with RPAS Microkopter mission planning and operation. The obtained data are processed by several sets of software specially developed for close range aerial photogrammetry. The outputs are orthophoto images, digital elevation models and thermal map. As a bonus, low-cost aerial methods with small thermal camera are shown.

Geodetic surveying as part of archaeological research in Sudan

<p>Surveying is an important part of any archaeological research. In this paper we focus on the archaeological research in north Sudan (6<sup>th</sup> Nile cataract) and the surveying methods applicable under the local conditions. Surveying in the Third World countries is affected by the political situation (limited import of surveying tools), local conditions (lack of fixed points, GNSS correction signal), inaccessible basemaps and fixed point network. This article describes the methods and results obtained during the three archaeological seasons (2011-2014). The classical surveying methods were combined with KAP (Kite Aerial Photography) to obtain the desired results in form of archaeological maps, detailed orthophoto images and other analyses results.</p>

Accuracy of LiDAR-based tree height estimation and crown recognition in a subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest in Okinawa, Japan

Aim of study: To present an approach for estimating tree heights, stand density and crown patches using LiDAR data in a subtropical broad-leaved forest.Area of study: The study was conducted within the Yambaru subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest, Okinawa main island, Japan.Materials and methods: A digital canopy height model (CHM) was extracted from the LiDAR data for tree height estimation and a watershed segmentation method was applied for the individual crown delineation. Dominant tree canopy layers were estimated using multi-scale filtering and local maxima detection. The LiDAR estimation results were then compared to the ground inventory data and a high resolution orthophoto image for accuracy assessment. Main results: A Wilcoxon matched pair test suggests that LiDAR data is highly capable of estimating tree height in a subtropical forest (z = 4.0, p = 0.345), but has limitation to detect small understory trees and a single tree delineation. The results show that there is a statistically significant different type of crown detection from LiDAR data over forest inventory (z = 0, p = 0.043). We also found that LiDAR computation results underestimated the stand density and overestimated the crown size.Research highlights: Most studies involving crown detection and tree height estimation have focused on the analysis of plantations, boreal forests and temperate forests, and less was conducted on tropical and/or subtropical forests. Our study tested the capability of LiDAR as an effective application for analyzing a highly dense forest.Key words: Broad-leaved; inventory; LiDAR; subtropical; tree height.Abbreviations: DBH: Diameter at Breast Height, CHM: Canopy Height Model, DEM: Digital Elevation Model, DSM: Digital Surface Model, LiDAR: Light Detection and Ranging, YFA: Yambaru Forest Area.

The Potential of UAV-based Remote Sensing for Supporting Precision Agriculture in Indonesia

This paper shows some practical experiences of using Unmanned Aerial Vehicle-(UAV) based platform for remote sensing in supporting precision agriculture mapping. Some of the information for land preparation, cadaster boundary, vegetation monitoring, plant healthy, and stock valuation are required periodically. So, the UAV-Based remote sensing system should have characteristics such as cost-effective, fast in producing, easy in operation by local staff, and good geometry accuracy (sub-meter). The system consists of aerial platforms from R/C plane, point and shoots digital cameras, data processing with digital photogrammetric: structure from motion algorithms, and free open source-GIS for visualizing. This system has the ability to produce imagery with spatial resolution <10cm, measuring parcel area, assess the individual trees or plants stock, and topography. The basic products of the system are Orthophoto Image and Digital Elevation Model (DEM). The Average geometric accuracy can be obtained up to 3 pixels or equivalent to sub-meter accuracy, while the production time can be reached more than 500Ha a day. The Orthophoto image could provide visual interpretation such as the individual trees structure, plant density, and parcel boundary area, while DEM could asses tree's height information and terrain topography with accuracy 3-6 pixel or 0.5-2.5 m.

The Weight of the Past

In order to understand the importance of past land use and current ecological factors relating to oak regeneration within pine plantations, we hypothesized that native forest regeneration within plantations depends largely on in situ biological legacies as a source of propagules. We analyzed native oak regeneration in 168 pine plantation plots within the Sierra Nevada (southern Spain) in relation to land use type in 1956, oak patch proximity, and pine tree density. Historical land use patterns were determined from 1956 aerial photographs, and these were compared to 2004–2005 inventory data and additional orthophoto images. Aerial photograph of an area of the Sierra Nevada mountains (southern Spain) in 1956 (top) and 2001 (bottom). During the period 1950–1980, many heavily overharvested agricultural lands were abandoned, and were then converted to pine plantations. Photo credit: A. J. Pérez-Luque, obtained from Ortophotos (Andalusian regional government). (a) Dense pine plantations in Sierra Nevada Mountains (southern Spain). These forest plantations are usually characterized by higher stand density and lower tree diversity. (b) Within these forests we find recruits of native oak Quercus ilex ssp. ballota (Desf.) Samp. (c) The number of Q. ilex recruits per sampled area (estimated from a forest inventory carried out in 2005) were used as the oak regeneration variable in the study. Photo credit: A. J. Pérez-Luque. The oak recruitment in the pine plantations also depends on the dispersion distance from native forest. In this photo we show a native forest patch acting as a source of oak propagules for an adjacent pine plantation. Photo credit: A. J. Pérez-Luque. These photographs illustrate the article “The weight of the past: land-use legacies and recolonization of pine plantations by oak trees” by Irene Navarro-González, Antonio J. Pérez-Luque, Francisco J. Bonet, and Regino Zamora, published in Ecological Applications 23(6):1267–1276, September 2013. http://dx.doi.org/10.1890/12-0459.1

An approach for detection of buildings and changes in buildings using orthophotos and point clouds: A case study of Van Erriş earthquake

This paper presents an image analysis of the Van Erciş earthquake, and demonstrates how efficiently the orthophoto images and point clouds from stereo matching data can be used for automatic detection of buildings and changes in buildings. The proposed method contains three basic steps. The first step is to classify the high-resolution pre and post event Red- Green-Blue (RGB) orthophoto images (orthoRGB) using Support Vector Machine (SVM) classification procedure to extract the building areas. In the second step, normalized Digital Surface Model (nDSM) band derived from point clouds and Digital Terrain Model (DTM) is integrated with the SVM classification (nDSM+orthoRGB). In the last step, building damage assessment is performed through a comparison between two independent classification results from pre-and post-event data. It was observed that using the nDSM band in the classification process as additional bands the accuracy of classification increases significantly.

Land use changes caused by bank erosion along the lower part of the Bosna river from 2001 to 2013

The river channel dynamics are result of the complex interaction between natural and human impact. In the presented study, we assessed spatial and temporal dynamics of Bosna river channel migration during 2001-2013 period using orthophoto images and GIS. We have identified that the total area of bank erosion during given period equaled 2.8695 km2, of which 1.2178 km2 were on the left bank and 1.6516 km2 on the right bank. The total area of bank accretion from 2001 to 2013 equaled 2.6841 km2, of which 1.2864 km2 was on the left bank and 1.3977 km2 on the right bank. The Bosna riverbed average movement in the period 2001-2013 was established in the amount of 60.7 m. During this period, the average lateral channel migration was 5.05 m per year. Lateral migration of the Bosna River has caused serious problems: disappearance of arable land, forests, pastures and meadows, economic loss due to the reduction of agricultural. Using statistical analysis of a land use structure changes along the lower part of Bosna River, we obtained the results which show significant lost in arable land. According to results, 42.3 ha of arable land, 171.9 ha forests and 31.8 ha pastures and meadows were lost during 2001-2013 period. The data presented here are significant for practical issues such as predicting channel migration rates for engineering and planning purposes, soil and water management.

Developing a registration entry and query system within the scope of harmonizing of the orthophoto metadata with the international standards

Abstract. Increase in the number of satellites and the utilization of digital cameras in the aerial photography has spread the use of satellite image and oriented aerial photograph as real or near-real time resolution, accessible, cost effective spatial data. Co-registered images or aerial photos corrected for the height variations and orthogonality (scale) have become an essential input for geographical information systems and spatial decision making due to their integration with the other spatial data. Beyond that, images and photographs compose infrastructure for the other information in usage of spatial data with the help of the access and query facility web providing. Although the issue of the aerial photo ortho-rectification has been solved long ago, the problems related with the storage of huge amount of photos and images, their management, processes, and user accesses have been raised. These subjects concern the multitudinous private and governmental institutes. Some governmental organizations and private companies have gained the technical ability to perform these works in recent times. This situation has lead to significant increase in the amount of aerial photograph taking and processing in one year for whole country. General Command of Mapping has been using digital aerial camera since 2008 for the photograph taking. The total area covered by the satellite images, purchased for different purposes, and the aerial photographs, taken for some revision purposes or demands of governmental and private institutes, has reached up to 200.000 km². It is considered that, colored and high resolution orthophotos of the whole country can be achieved within four years; provided that the annual production would continue similarly without any increase in amount. From the numbers given above, it is clear and inevitable that the orthophoto production procedure must be improved in order to produce orthophotos in the same year just after the photograph takings. Necessary studies about the storage, management and presentation of the huge amounts of orthophoto images to the users must be started immediately. In this study; metadata components of the produced orthophotos compatible with the international standards have been defined, a relational database has been created to keep complete and accurate metadata, and a user interface has been developed to insert the metadata into the database. Through the developed software, some extra time has been saved while creating and querying the metadata.

The weight of the past: land‐use legacies and recolonization of pine plantations by oak trees

Most of the world's plantations were established on previously disturbed sites with an intensive land-use history. Our general hypothesis was that native forest regeneration within forest plantations depends largely on in situ biological legacies as a source of propagules. To test this hypothesis, we analyzed native oak regeneration in 168 pine plantation plots in southern Spain in relation to land use in 1956, oak patch proximity, and pine tree density. Historical land-use patterns were determined from aerial photography from 1956, and these were compared with inventory data from 2004-2005 and additional orthophoto images. Our results indicate that oak forest regeneration in pine plantations depends largely on land-use legacies, although nearby, well-conserved areas can provide propagules for colonization from outside the plantation, and pine tree density also affected oak recruit density. More intense land uses in the past meant fewer biological legacies and, therefore, lower likelihood of regenerating native forest. That is, oak recruit density was lower when land use in 1956 was croplands (0.004 +/- 0.002 recruits/m2 [mean +/- SE]) or pasture (0.081 +/- 0.054 recruits/m2) instead of shrubland (0.098 +/- 0.031 recruits/m2) or oak formations (0.314 +/- 0.080 recruits/m2). Our study shows that land use in the past was more important than propagule source distance or pine tree density in explaining levels of native forest regeneration in plantations. Thus, strategies for restoring native oak forests in pine plantations may benefit from considering land-use legacies as well as distance to propagule sources and pine density.

PRODUCTION IN GDLRC AND PRESENT REFLECTIONS

Abstract. Recently, Turkey's National Geographic Information System (TNGIS) carried out a more comprehensive studies. General Directorate of Land Registry and Cadastre (GDLRC) within the scope of these studies has projects in many areas within the jurisdiction. GDLRC have started Land Registry and Cadastre Modernization Project (LRCMP) in 2008 and still continues this project. The current project is very successful in the renewal and transfer of digital media, after the completion of the country's digital cadastre. The scope of this project was prepared comprehensive study. The scope of this project was prepared comprehensive study. This studies; human resources development, new cadastre offices renovation and its services improvement, examining and reporting of the valuation of real estate, renovation and updating of the cadastre. All works continues at the same speed and determination. With these developments, GDLRC works with institutions, organizations and citizens. These developments cause a further increase interoperability and trust relationships. GDLRC, across the country, produces, stores, manages and preservesof property information. GDLRC the use and development of real estate is an important way to the work. In this context, one of the layers of spatial information systems, an essential requirement of the images which obtained by means of remote sensing satellite photos and/or consist of aerial photographs, is quite an important role. In research, in order to meet the common needs of different institutions and organizations, aerial photographs and orthophoto imagery are needed. Aerial photographs more up to date, precise, clear and reliable. GDLRC, signing of important projects, is working to implement the Orthophoto Information System (OIS) project. GDLRC equipped with a new photogrammetric systems in 2009. In this way, the technological advances in the industry leading on this issue very closely monitored and carried out the task successfully. 200 000 km2 area in the country, 1/5000 scaled digital color orthophoto images were producedbetween 2009–2012. Orthophoto images of other areas is carried out by General Command of Mapping (GCM). Orthophotos , base images with the current covering the whole country, cloudless, 30–45 cm in the sampling interval (Ground Sample Distance – GSD), produced will be realized by both institutions in 2014. Ongoing projects in the fields covered by the renewal is important. Orthophoto production stage, stereo, color, and near-infrared aerial photographs of the terrain elevation models are also available. Municipalities places by 1/1000 scale orthophoto images prepared in this process. The production of orthophotos, digital cadastral works of engineering projects and other institutions, decision-support processes, quality controls and integrity of the legal dimension of the feature can be used to create litter. GDLRC for these purposes by the OGC Web Services standards TNGIS prepared and successfully created the image layer. Two projects planned by GDLRC. In both of projects, historical aerial photographs, are retrieved from GDLRC and GCM archives, will scan, produce orthophoto and service from web.

Integrating GIS and high resolution orthophoto images for the development of a geomorphic shoreline classification and risk assessment—a case study of cliff/bluff erosion along the Bulgarian coast

This paper demonstrates the effectiveness of integrating GIS and modern spatial data for the development of a detailed geomorphic classification of the Bulgarian Black Sea coast. This classification is important for the precise measurement of various natural and technogenous (engineered) coastline types and serves as a basis for identification of the areas with high exposure to different coastal hazards. To illustrate potential uses of this simple methodology, a map of the potential coastal erosion/cliff retreat hazard for the Bulgarian coast was produced from this GIS database. Several types of data were used: high resolution orthophoto, topographical maps in 1:5,000 scale and geological maps. Geomorphic classification utilized both geomorphological and engineering criteria. A total of 867 segments were delineated along the coast. Four hundred sixty five were classified as natural landforms (cliffs, beaches, river mouths) with a total length of 362,62 km and 402 were indicated as technogenous segments (port and coast-protection structures, artificial beaches) with a total length of 70 km. Based on the geologic materials present at each segment and cliff height, the cliffed portions of the Bulgarian coast were classified for expected erosion rates, and therefore, hazard vulnerability: low hazard (volcanic type cliff); moderate hazard (limestone type cliff) and high hazard (loess and clayey types cliff). This “predictive model” was then compared to a previously published field study of coastal erosion rates to validate the model. As a result, a new high quality, but qualitative data for Bulgarian coastal bluff/cliff erosion were obtained, incorporated and analyzed in GIS.

비오톱 지도와 항공라이다 자료를 이용한 바람통로 분석 및 기후평가

본 연구는 비오톱 지도와 항공 라이다 자료만을 이용해 GIS 분석기법을 적용하여 개개의 비오톱에 대한 기후분석 및 평가정보를 제공함을 목적으로 하고 있다. 1차 분석단계에서 비오톱 지도로부터 면적, 경사, 경사길이, 표면특성, 바람통로 기능, 바람통로 폭, 바람통로 장애물 요소를 각각 구하여 냉기/신선기 생성 및 바람통로 기능을 평가하였으며 2차 분석단계에서는 이들 요소를 종합하여 기후평가를 수행하여 비오톱 단위 별로 기후평가 자료를 생성하였다. 항공라이다 자료는 비오톱을 이용한 바람통로 분석에 유효하였다. 평가인자와 평가 등급 간의 상관성을 그래프 및 상관계수를 통해 확인한 결과 냉기/신선기 생성 등급과 Surface_GRD 평균값과의 상관계수가 (-)0.967로 높게 나타났으며 바람통로 기능에서는 등급별 Function_GRD 평균값과의 상관계수가 (-)0.884, Obstacle_GRD 평균값과의 상관계수는 (-)0.834로 나타났다. 기후평가 등급과 WindCorridor_GRD 상관계수는 0.928, 기후평가 등급과 ColdAir_GRD 상관계수는 0.855로 나타나 비오톱의 WindCorridor_GRD가 ColdAir_GRD에 비해 상관성이 높게 나타났으며 항공사진 정사영상을 이용한 육안 검수에서도 기후평가 및 등급화 결과가 잘 반영된 것으로 나타났다. 결과적으로, 비오톱 지도와 항공라이다 자료를 이용해 기후 분석 및 평가 방법을 적용한 결과 광명-시흥시 보금자리 주택개발 예정지의 기후평가등급에 따른 면적분포 비율은 1등급 18.5%, 2등급 18.2%, 3등급 30.7%, 4등급 25.2%, 5등급 7.4% 순으로 나타났으며 본 연구방법을 통해 기후평가 정보를 각각의 비오톱 단위별로 통계적 정보와 함께 제시할 수 있었다. The main purpose of this paper is to deliver a climate analysis and evaluation method based on GIS by using airborne LiDAR data and Biotop type map and to provide spatial information of climate analysis and evaluation based on Biotop type Map. At first stage, the area, slope, slope length, surface, wind corridor function and width, and obstacle factors were analyzed to obtain cold/fresh air production and wind corridor evaluation. In addition, climate evaluation was derived from those two results in the second stage. Airborne LiDAR data are useful in wind corridor analysis during the study. Correlation analysis results show that ColdAir_GRD grade was highly correlated with Surface_GRD (-0.967461139) and WindCorridor_ GRD was highly correlated with Function_GRD (-0.883883476) and Obstacle_GRD (-0.834057656). Climate Evaluation GRID was highly correlated with WindCorridor_GRD (0.927554516) than ColdAir_GRD (0.855051646). Visual validations of climate analysis and evaluation results were performed by using aerial ortho-photo image, which shows that the climate evaluation results were well related with in-situ condition. At the end, we applied climate analysis and evaluation by using Biotop map and airborne LiDAR data in Gwangmyung-Shiheung City, candidate for the Bogeumjari Housing District. The results show that the aerial percentile of the 1st Grade is 18.5%, 2nd Grade is 18.2%, 3rd Grade is 30.7%, 4th Grade is 25.2%, and 5th Grade is 7.4%. This study process provided both the spatial analysis and evaluation of climate information and statistics on behalf of each Biotop type.

Estimation of Forest Carbon Storage Based on Airborne LiDAR Data

The objective of this study was to estimate the carbon storage of forest areas by using airborne light detection and ranging (LiDAR) data. Digital canopy height model (CHM) which generated from point cloud data was combined with accurate geo-referenced true color orthophoto image to produce parameter information of trees (height, canopy diameter, DBH data) in test area by marker controlled watershed segmentation algorithm. The total carbon storage of experimental site could be calculated by adopting binary tree volume table and semi-empirical inversion means. This study suggested that the carbon storage of forest areas can be effectively estimated by using LiDAR data, which will play an important role in forest data updating and process of forget sustainable development.

The Making of Digital Orthophoto Map Based on INPHO

INPHO is foreign professional digital photogrammetry software, including aerial triangulation encryption, digital terrain model matching, the digital orthophoto rectification and image mosaic series modules. This paper, taking DMC image as a case study, according to production practice, states the method of making Digital Orthophoto Map (DOM) using all relevant modules of INPHO, and further points out several notes in the process of making DOM. Practice shows that making DOM using INPHO series software and paying attention to the mentioned precautions can speed up production rate, improve production efficiency, while its mode of operation is also greatly simplified compared with the normal mode of operation. It is a good way of making DOM.

Structure and stand development of secondary forests in Eastern Prealps (Italy)

The composition and temporal variations in species recruitment were examined by means of annual dendrochronological data, to determine the historical development and successional history of ash and sycamore mixed stands in five secondary forests on the Eastern Prealps. The first step of the investigation was to describe species composition and age structure. In accordance with data derived from land register and time series of orthophoto images, differences in time of colonization among the five stands were detected. The second step was to describe spatial colonization patterns: only in one case a frontal pattern was found while in others the colonization started from some old alder or ash trees preserved by farmers in the meadows.

Three dimensional monitoring of urban development by means of ortho-rectified aerial photographs and high-resolution satellite images

Nowadays, cities are developing and changing rapidly due to the increases in the population and immigration. Rapid changing brings obligation to control the cities by planning. The satellite images and the aerial photographs enable us to track the urban development and provide the opportunity to get the current data about urban. With the help of these images, cities may have interrogated dynamic structures. This study is composed of three steps. In the first step, orthophoto images have been generated in order to track urban developments by using the aerial photographs and the satellite images. In this step, the panchromatic (PAN), the multi spectral (MS) and the pan-sharpened image of IKONOS satellite have been used as input satellite data and the accuracy of orthophoto images has been investigated in detail, in terms of digital elevation model (DEM), control points, input images and their properties. In the second step, a 3D city model with database has been generated with the help of orthophoto images and the vector layouts. And in the last step, up to date urban information obtained from 3D city model. This study shows that it is possible to detect the unlicensed buildings and the areas which are going to be nationalized and it also shows that it is easy to document the existing alterations in the cities with the help of current development plans and orthophoto images. And since accessing updated data is very essential to control development and monitor the temporal alterations in urban areas, in this study it is proven that the orthophoto images generated by using aerial photos and satellite images are very reliable to use in obtaining topographical information, in change detection and in city planning. When digital orthophoto images used with GIS, they provide quick decision control mechanisms and quick data collection. Besides, they help to find efficient solutions in a short time in the planning applications.

Importance of digital close-range photogrammetry in documentation of cultural heritage

Abstract It is an indisputable reality that the most important thing for transmitting cultural heritage to posterity is a sensitive documentation. Up to the present there have been many developments in documentation of cultural heritage by developing technology, and contemporary documentation techniques have progressed speedily. In time, modern methods have become preferable to conventional methods in architecture generally in the existent state and in determination of deformations and preparation of measured drawing projects of historical edifices. Digital and 3D data, rich visual images obtained by digital close-range photogrammetry, and orthophoto images of edifices, are governed and shepherded in documentation and future conservation projects. Also, these methods supply much ease, precision and time-saving in measured drawing projects when compared with conventional methods. In this study, contributions of digital close-range photogrammetry to measured drawing projects were evaluated. A historical building, which had been exposed to fire two times in Konya (Turkey), was photographed and its situation before and after the fire was demonstrated. In addition, the building's measured drawings of facade and its 3D model were completed using digital close-range photogrammetry. The building's present status and its reconstruction project is indicated and how digital close-range photogrammetry contributes to measured drawing, reconstruction and restoration projects is presented. Furthermore, the significance of present-day use of digital close-range photogrammetry in the acquisition of data and preparation of measured drawing projects for historical buildings is emphasized. This study has been completed by photogrammetrists, architects, urban planners and restorers.

High-resolution Image Fusion

The main topic of this paper is high-resolution image fusion. The techniques used to merge high spatial resolution panchromatic images with high spectral resolution multispectral images are described. The most commonly used image fusion methods that work on the principle of component substitution (intensity-hue-saturation method (IHS), Brovey transform (BT), and multiplicative method (MULTI)) have been applied to Ikonos, QuickBird, Landsat, and aerial orthophoto images. Visual comparison, histogram analyses, correlation coefficients, and difference images were used in order to analyze the spectral and spatial qualities of the fused images. It was discovered that for preserving spectral characteristics, one needs a high level of similarity between the panchromatic image and the respective multispectral intensity. In order to achieve this, spectral sensitivity of multispectral and panchromatic data was performed, and digital values in individual bands have been modified before fusion. It has also been determined that spatial resolution is best preserved in the event of an unchanged input panchromatic image.

多重オルソフォト画像からの樹冠円抽出について

多重オルソフォト画像からの樹冠円抽出について

Use of digital aerial photography for sub-alpine vegetation mapping: A case study from the Krkono?e Mts., Czech Republic

Multispectral aerial photographs from 1986, 1989 and 1997 were used for mapping and assessment of changes in sub-alpine vegetation of the Krkonose Mts Plateau (1300 to 1400 m a. s. l.), Czech Republic. Scanned aerial photographs were digitally processed by various remote sensing methods, such as histogram equalization, principal component transformation, Normalised Difference Vegetation Index, and classification (both unsupervised, i.e., Iterative Self-Organizing Data Analysis Technique, and supervised, i.e., Parallelepiped and Maximum Likelihood algorithm). The results were geometrically corrected by registration into orthophoto images. Field data from 1991 assisted in class labelling and vegetation description. A detailed vegetation analysis was conducted using 1989 multispectral photographs since the field-verification and comparison to ground-based vegetation map could be done with only two-year difference. The unsupervised classification resulted in six classes (three of them mixed) with a 60.6% overall accuracy of unmixed classes. Some important vegetation types could not be separated. The supervised classification resulted in nine classes with the overall accuracy of 81.1%. The most common vegetation types were: mat-grass communities (40.4% of the total area) and tall grass and herb communities (23.1%). Pine stands, the best separated of vegetation types, were evaluated on the multispectral photographs from 1986 and 1997 and the P. mugo stands doubled in area over 10 years. The aerial-photograph based maps were compared with an available vegetation map obtained by a field survey. The correspondence between both ranged from 24 – 75%, with the highest values obtained for pine stands and mat-grass communities. In comparison to the field survey, aerial photography provided less detail and vegetation was characterized mostly by dominant species. The approach failed to map small patches of heterogeneous or atypical vegetation and to differentiate vegetation types with dominants of similar appearance. Nevertheless since this method is comparably less time- and labour-consuming, it seems suitable for mapping distinct vegetation types, surveying larger areas and identifying changes over time.