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Geospatial Techniques in Landscape Analysis


Course Description

Topics on geospatial analysis tools to display, analyze, model, and visualize landscape characteristics. Aspects of geographic information systems, remote sensing, photogrammetric Structure from Motion (SfM), spatial analysis, geovisualization (including virtual/augmented reality), landscape metrics, and landscape ecology will be included.


Athena Title

Geospatial Landscape Analysis


Prerequisite

GEOG 4370/6370 or permission of department


Semester Course Offered

Offered spring


Grading System

A - F (Traditional)


Course Objectives

Students will be exposed to advanced topics of geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing and landscape analysis through readings, discussion and hands-on experience with geospatial tools. Using landscapes as functional units to characterize spatial patterns and processes, students will explore case studies and discuss current topics such as remote sensing image data (e.g., multispectral, hyperspectral, multitemporal optical imagery and lidar), object-based image segmentation, data mining using geovisualization techniques, spatial statistics to identify spatial patterns/trends, spatial modeling and the computation of landscape metrics. Students also will have access to advanced GIS, image processing and geovisualization software for analyzing complex resource databases. Students are expected to gain an understanding of the advantages and limitations of geospatial tools, and they will conduct an independent project that incorporates GIS, remote sensing, spatial analysis/modeling and geovisualization for landscape assessment.


Topical Outline

Topics will vary. Examples of relevant themes include: Concepts of geography and landscape ecology underlying landscape analysis. Geospatial imagery available for characterizing landscapes. Image interpretation, data capture, data collection and database development. Spatial analysis functions of GIS. Object-based image segmentation. Geovisualization for data display and information extraction. Landscape metrics. Spatial patterns related to landscape function. Case studies of the use of geospatial tools for landscape assessment.


Syllabus


Public CV