A simple remote sensing based information system for monitoring sites of conservation importance

Abstract

Monitoring is essential for conservation of sites, but capacity to undertake it in the field is often limited. Data collected by remote sensing has been identified as a partial solution to this problem, and is becoming a feasible option, since increasing quantities of satellite data in particular are becoming available to conservationists. When suitably classified, satellite imagery can be used to delineate land cover types such as forest, and to identify any changes over time. However, the conservation community lacks (a) a simple tool appropriate to the needs for monitoring change in all types of land cover (e.g. not just forest), and (b) an easily accessible information system which allows for simple land cover change analysis and data sharing to reduce duplication of effort. To meet these needs, we developed a web-based information system which allows users to assess land cover dynamics in and around protected areas (or other sites of conservation importance) from multi-temporal medium resolution satellite imagery. The system is based around an open access toolbox that pre-processes and classifies Landsat-type imagery, and then allows users to interactively verify the classification. These data are then open for others to utilize through the online information system. We first explain imagery processing and data accessibility features, and then demonstrate the toolbox and the value of user verification using a case study on Nakuru National Park, Kenya. Monitoring and detection of disturbances can support implementation of effective protection, assist the work of park managers and conservation scientists, and thus contribute to conservation planning, priority assessment and potentially to meeting monitoring needs for Aichi target 11.

Publication DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/rse2.14
Divisions: ?? 50811700Jl ??
College of Engineering & Physical Sciences > Sustainable environment research group
College of Engineering & Physical Sciences > Systems analytics research institute (SARI)
Additional Information: © 2016 The Authors Remote Sensing in Ecology and Conservation published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Zoological Society of London. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs License, which permits use and distribution in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited, the use is non-commercial and no modifications or adaptations are made. Funding: Biodiversity and Protected Area Management (BIOPAMA) joint initiative of the European Union and the African Caribbean and Pacific Group of States secretariat.
Uncontrolled Keywords: Information system; land cover change; Landsat; monitoring; protected areas; remote sensing
Publication ISSN: 2056-3485
Last Modified: 30 Sep 2024 10:49
Date Deposited: 14 Mar 2016 09:05
Full Text Link: http://onlineli ... se2.14/abstract
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PURE Output Type: Article
Published Date: 2016-03-23
Accepted Date: 2016-03-12
Authors: Szantoi, Zoltan
Brink, Andreas
Buchanan, Graeme
Bastin, Lucy (ORCID Profile 0000-0003-1321-0800)
Lupi, Andrea
Simonetti, Dario
Mayaux, Philippe
Peedell, Stephen
Davy, James

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