Object-based larch tree-crown delineation using high-resolution satellite imagery

• Published in: International journal of remote sensing Vol. 36; no. 3; pp. 822 - 844
• Main Authors: Yin, Weida, Yang, Jian, Yamamoto, Hirokazu, Li, Chi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis 01.02.2015
• ISSN: 0143-1161; 1366-5901
• DOI: 10.1080/01431161.2014.999165

Olgan larch is a traditional construction material used for the renovation of historical timber-frame buildings in China. However, acquiring the necessary large-sized larch trees from old-growth forests has become a challenge in China because of the rare and inaccessible distribution of these trees. In recent years, remote sensing imagery has provided a more effective alternative for delineating tree crowns automatically with high accuracy. In this study, an object-based method for delineating old-growth larch tree crowns using Geoeye-1 imagery is developed. Tree crown delineation results are tested and evaluated by field data. In addition, the correlation between delineated tree-crown and basal areas are quantitatively validated to ensure that the developed method can be applied for estimating the distribution of old-growth larch trees. Results demonstrate that the developed object-based larch tree-crown delineation method is reliable, thus providing a new technique for detecting old-growth larch tree resources in Northeastern China.