Generation of Land Cover Maps Using High-Resolution Multispectral Aerial Cameras

The generation of land cover maps has new advanced tools at its disposal. Besides new aerial cameras also new advanced processing tools are available. Elevations can be derived from images with high density and high positional accuracy. The combination of multispectral high-resolution imagery and high-density elevations for the automatic generation of land cover maps is discussed by means of a practical example. Imagery of a new aerial camera is used together with advanced software for generation of digital elevation models and for derivation of vegetation maps. These two products are the input for classification of land cover. A high degree of automation can be achieved. The obtained results of a practical example are checked with reference values derived from ortho-images in natural colour and from colour images using stereo-vision. An error matrix is applied in the evaluation of the results. The classification had an overall accuracy of 79%. Suggestions for the improvements in the applied methodology are made. The potential of land cover maps lies in updating of topographic databases, quality control of maps, studies of town development, and other geo-spatial domain applications. The automatic generation of land cover maps is also a trend in future mapping.