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ERDC TR-05-1
TEC research scientists have developed improved post-processing routines
addressing radiometric distortions, which are typically present in all airborne im-
ages. This document is the culmination of over three years worth of applied
research. The overall objective of this multi-year investigation was to assess the
utility of high spatial resolution digital imagery to Corps civil works operations.
The sources of remotely sensed data used in this research effort include:
Digital airborne multispectral imaging technology.
Digital airborne hyperspectral imaging technology.
Digital satellite multispectral imaging technology.
Systems were selected on the basis of the anticipated benefits derived from
the acquisition and processing of the unique high spatial resolution images, from
each remotely sensed data source, at four independent study sites--wetland char-
acterization for the Poplar Island Restoration project in the Baltimore District,
levee inspection in the Rock Island District, invasive species mapping in the
Jacksonville District, and the wetland vegetation mapping in the Blackwater
Wildlife Refuge, also in the Baltimore District.
The project developed and implemented four applications to evaluate the use
of high resolution digital remotely sensed data in standard Corps operations.
1.1
Land Cover Classification of Reference Wetlands
The objective of this pilot project for Poplar Island Restoration was de-
lineating three primary land cover types within selected estuarine wetlands. The
three land cover categories were:
1. Persistent water bodies (open water, channels, guts, ponds, and potholes).
2. Intertidal mudflats (both vegetated and non-vegetated).
3. Wetland and upland plant communities.
The detailed and long-term nature of this ongoing wetland restoration pro-
gram provides an excellent test site for evaluating the utility of high resolution
mapping techniques.
The restoration project design includes the construction of various hydro-
logic features (ponds, dendritic guts, or channels). The relative proportion (i.e.,
surface area) and configuration of these water bodies within the proposed wet-
land and upland plant communities are critical design parameters. District staff
concluded that the natural conditions present in existing intertidal wetlands near
the project site would supply estimates of the hydrologic characteristics, such as
land-to-water ratios and channel dendricity, required throughout the construction
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