Mapping of Central Africa Forested Wetlands Using Remote Sensing

The results of this study are the first to detail the spatial distribution of the forested wetland types within the Cuvette Centrale of the Congo Basin. Herein, four types of forested wetlands were distinguished using a multi-sensor approach related to archived measurements. Temporal MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) images and the EVI index in particular (which helps to quantify chlorophyll activity) were used to map forest types based on differences in phenology. Flooded areas in the Congo Basin were mapped during different seasons using L-band synthetic aperture radar (PALSAR). This model was improved upon by the addition of ground elevation and mean canopy height from LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) data (ICESat/GLAS - space-borne LIDAR system). Thematic accuracy of the vegetation mapping was assessed using aerial photography of the Western portion of the Cuvette Centrale. Unsupervised classifications and statistical links were established for the various types of forested wetland and for the area map of the flooded region. This study demonstrated that the spatial organization of the swampy landscape depends on the extent of flooding, and the study also found that phenology may depend on the flooding period and the intensity of the sun for this region compared to the Amazon Basin swamp forest.

BETBEDER Julie;  GOND Valéry;  FRAPPART Frédéric;  BAGHDADI Nicolas;  BRIANT Gaël;  BARTHOLOME Etienne; 

2014-02-28

IEEE-INST ELECTRICAL ELECTRONICS ENGINEERS INC

JRC71150

1939-1404,   

http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpl/articleDetails.jsp?arnumber=6571272,    https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC71150,   

10.1109/JSTARS.2013.2269733,