Object-based image analysis assists preserve managers with detecting spatial changes in salt marshes: Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve
Cantor J. 2017. Object-based image analysis assists preserve managers with detecting spatial changes in salt marshes: Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve. Natural Resource Report. NPS/TIMU/NRR—2017/1452. National Park Service. Fort Collins, Colorado
Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve (Preserve) in Jacksonville, Duval County, Florida, contains over 45,000 acres of healthy and productive salt marsh (Figure 1). These salt marshes provide crucial habitat to a wide variety of organisms but are threatened by a variety of influences such as sea level rise and upland development. The National Park Service Water Resources Division aims to improve baseline information and management of landscape level changes in the Preserve. Color infrared orthoimagery (2012), LiDAR data (2007), and Trimble eCognition software were used in an object-based image analysis to classify and quantify the two dominant genera of salt marsh grasses (Juncus and Spartina) found within the Preserve. This object-based technique groups neighboring, homogeneous pixels into similar groups to classify a landscape. In addition to Juncus and Spartina, seven other classes were mapped. Approximately 35,808 acres were classified as salt marsh habitat (Table 1) and the accuracy assessment revealed an overall classification rate of 89% and a Kappa statistic of 0.86. The Preserve now has a detailed map of the salt marsh and the surrounding area and will be able to identify changes in the marsh over time.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Cantor, Jeremy
- Date of Issue
- 2017-05
- Publisher
- National Park Service
- Units
- NRSS , TIMU , WRD
- Keywords
- Juncus, land cover map, LiDAR, Object-based analysis, salt marsh, Spartina, TIMU