Title:

High resolution land cover for Washington DC (2006)

Author(s):

University of Vermont Spatial Analysis Laboratory

Publication Year:

2013

How to Cite:

If you use these data in a publication, presentation, or other research product please use the following citation:

University of Vermont Spatial Analysis Laboratory. 2013. High resolution land cover for Washington DC (2006). Burlington, VT: University of Vermont Spatial Analysis Laboratory. https://gis.w3.uvm.edu/utc/Landcover/Washington_DC.zip

Abstract:

High resolution land cover dataset for Washington DC. Seven land cover classes were mapped: (1) tree canopy, (2) grass/shrub, (3) bare earth, (4) water, (5) buildings, (6) roads, and (7) other paved surfaces. The minimum mapping unit for the delineation of features was set at 0.6m square . The primary source used to derive this land cover layer was 2006 Quickbird imagery. Ancillary data sources included GIS data (Building Footprints, Parking Lots, Railroads, Road Casings, Sidewalks, and Water) provided by DC GIS and Casey Trees. This land cover dataset is considered current as of 2006. Object-based image analysis techniques (OBIA) were employed to extract land cover information using the best available remotely sensed and vector GIS datasets. OBIA systems work by grouping pixels into meaningful objects based on their spectral and spatial properties, while taking into account boundaries imposed by existing vector datasets. Within the OBIA environment a rule-based expert system was designed to effectively mimic the process of manual image analysis by incorporating the elements of image interpretation (color/tone, texture, pattern, location, size, and shape) into the classification process. A series of morphological procedures were employed to insure that the end product is both accurate and cartographically pleasing. The tree-canopy component of this map was derived primarily from a "retrospective" analysis that used 2011 tree canopy mapped separately from a combination of 2008 LiDAR and 2011 National Agricultural Imagery Program (NAIP) imagery. The 2011 tree canopy was manually compared to the 2006 Quickbird imagery and then edited as necessary to reflect conditions in 2006 (i.e., trees that were lost during the 5-year period were added to the map while trees that were added during the 5-year period were removed from the map). No accuracy assessment was conducted, but the dataset was subject to a thorough manual quality control.

Keywords:

environment; imageryBaseMapsEarthCover; planningCadastre; Environment and People; Urban natural resources management; Natural Resource Management & Use; urban tree canopy; UTC; land cover; Washington DC; District of Columbia

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