Landscape Planning of Land-use Using High-resolution Satellite Images and Ground-based Data

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1 Remote Sensing for Science, Education, Rainer Reuter (Editor) and Natural and Cultural Heritage EARSeL, 2010 Landscape Planning of Land-use Using High-resolution Satellite Images and Eugenia ROUMENINA 1, Lachezar FILCHEV, Vanya NAYDENOVA, Petar DIMITROV, and Georgi JELEV Space Research Institute, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 6, Moskovska St., 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria Abstract. Satellite images serve as a major information source when extracting natural features in landscape-ecological research. The application of remote sensing and geographic information systems (GIS) in landscape planning provides to analyze the relations and interdependences of landscape features and factors and to examine land-use changes. The main objective of this research is to apply archive and modern satellite images and aerial photos in large-scale (1:10,000) landscape land-use planning. The chosen area, the land of the Town of Novi Iskur, Bulgaria, features high anthropogenization rate as a result of the uranium-ore extraction and the open coal mining carried out on it in the second half of the 20 th century. For the study objectives, high-resolution aerial photos and satellite images from QuickBird and IKONOS satellites acquired accordingly in 1980, 2002, and 2008, were used. The employed methods were object-oriented image analysis and classification and computer-aided visual interpretation of aerial and satellite images. A combined land cover/land use classification was used, based on two international classifications schemes CORINE Land Cover and USGS. For the purposes of landscape planning, a geodatabase was constructed. Based on this geodatabase, a map of the integrated land use territorial planning objectives on the land of the Town of Novi Iskur was composed and suggestions and recommendations for the local self-governance authorities were provided. Keywords: remote sensing data, GIS, landscape planning, land use Introduction Resolving the problems of multi-purpose land use, sustainability, and design of future landscapes on urbanized territories requires interdisciplinary approach [1]. According to the Sustainable Development concept [2], in seeking solutions for the landscapes future in both the short and long run, one should aim to achieve a balance between their ecological, cultural, and economic functions [3]. Land use/land cover changes are important indicators of landscapes response to global processes on a local scale [4]. Therefore, they appear to be major data sources for landscape classification and landscape taxonomy, as well as for change modelling and forecasting [5]. The application of remote sensing methods and geographic information systems (GIS) in landscape management provides to analyze the relationships between all environmental components and trace the changes therein. The effective use of aerospace images in solving landscape planning tasks requires accounting for the specifics image formation and the information they contain. Aerospace images have the advantage to simultaneously visualize all environmental components which renders them a major information source in landscape planning. Anyhow, they have to be integrated in a geodatabase (GDB) with other ground-based data for further digital processing and analysis. The main objective of this research is to apply archive and modern satellite images and aerial photos in large-scale landscape planning of land-use. 1 Corresponding author: eroumenina@gmail.bg

2 The target area chosen for creating a landscape plan to scale М 1:10,000 is the land of the Town of Novi Iskur, Metropolitan Municipality, Republic of Bulgaria, which is located on the territory of one of the Bulgarian aerospace test sites [6]. This area has been chosen for its strong anthropogenization rate during the second half of the 20th century. Accomplishing the specified objective requires to solve the following tasks: 1) To create a large-scale thematic layer, Modern Landscapes, using satellite and ground-based data; 2) To assess the dynamics of the anthropogenic fragmentation index for 2008 compared to 1980 and to create thematic layers of the natural and semi-natural landscapes disturbed by anthropogenic activity; 3) To prepare suggestions and recommendations for land use territorial development on the land of the Town of Novi Iskur. The land of the Town of Novi Iskur features altitude varying between 500 and 1,000 m. Its southern part is characterized by plane relief built of accumulative materials, including lignite coals and clays. Their extraction was terminated during the 70-ies of the 20 th century. The northern part of the area features low-lying relief. Here, uranium deposits were found whose extraction was terminated in The climate of the area is moderate continental. The territory is drained by the Iskur River which crosses it on its way from south to north. The soils in the lowlands are Fluvisols; quite often, the spacious territories occupied by them along the Iskur River and its tributaries get swamped. Though more rarely, Vertisols are also encountered. The higher places and the mountainous slopes are occupied by Luvisols, part of them strongly eroded. The natural vegetation on the lowlands has been destroyed to use the land for construction and agriculture. In the mountainous part, artificially planted vegetation prevails, such as Austrian pine and Black locust, and further above secondary oak forests. 1. Methodology The developed methods for land cover/land use monitoring for the purpose of planning the examined territory involve four major types of work: 1) Constructing an integrated geodatabase, 2) Change detection of land cover/land use and anthropogenic fragmentation; 3) Creating a thematic layer of modern landscapes; 4) Composing a Map of the Integrated Objectives of Land Use Territorial Planning on the Land of the Town of Novi Iskur Constructing an integrated geodatabase To provide for implementing the study-related tasks for composing a geodatabase (GDB), the following requirements were specified: GDB should comprise data about the relief, climate, geological foundation, soil and vegetation cover, land cover/ land use, aerial and satellite images with high spatial resolution acquired between 1980 and 2008; upon inputting the required information in the GBD, to update it on a regular basis, so as to keep it topical. The primary thematic layers and the thematic layers obtained as a result of processing that were input in the GBD are presented in Figure 1. The GDB was composed using ESRI s software product ArcGIS 9.2 with ArcINFO license Change detection of land cover/land use The major data sources used in creating thematic layers of land cover/land use are the georeferenced and orthorectified aerial and satellite images (Figure 1) contained in the GDB. For the purposes of this study, combined classification diagram of land cover/ land use was used, based on the classifications CORINE Land Cover [7] and USGS [8]. Data extraction from satellite images is based on two methods: computer-aided visual deciphering with minimal mapable area of 0.1 ha with interpretation accuracy for all feature classes close to 1 and feature-oriented classification. The 216

3 results obtained using both methods for 2008 were assessed and field-verified. Notwithstanding the high classification accuracy (94.15%) of the object-oriented classification [9], for some classes it does not satisfy well enough the accuracy requirements of this study. Therefore, in creating the thematic layers of land cover/land use, the vector layers obtained from visual deciphering were used. During the analysis of land cover/ land use, the technical guidelines of Corine Land Cover [7] were used. The anthropogenic impact on the land of Novi Iskur was assessed by determining the anthropogenic fragmentation of the potential semi-natural and natural areas caused by urbanization, industrial areas, agriculture, and transport infrastructure. Such assessment was made for the period between 1980 and 2008 after the methods of Steenmans, C. and U. Pinborg [10]. Thematic layers of impact index distribution over the examined period were created, using the land cover/land use data input in the GBD. Based on them, thematic layers were also created for the territories disturbed by anthropogenic activity and remote potential natural and semi-natural territories. Figure.1. Diagram of input data and processed thematic layers 1.3. Creating a thematic layer of modern landscapes In creating the thematic layer of modern landscapes, the following geospatial data have been used (Fig.1): digital elevation model (DEM), geology [12], soil types and forest inventory data. Because of the lack of large-scale climatic maps and vegetation cover maps, the relevant thematic layers in the GBD had to be created. The Climate thematic layer was created based on temperature and precipitation data. Climate classification is based on Thorntwaite s methods, which have been described in details and applied on Bulgarian territory in the publications of D. Topliyski [12,13]. According to Thorntwaite s methods, the territory may be divided into two basic climatic types: super humid climate and humid climate. The Vegetation thematic layer was created based on the National Forest Inventory data, Quick- Bird satellite images (Fig.1), and field observations. The attributive data for this layer were chosen in accordance with the phytocenosis classification as per the taxonomy system of Bondev [15]. 217

4 Eugenia ROUMENINA, et al.: Landscape Planning of Land-use Using High-resolution Satellite Images and Forest inventory data are used as a basis for mapping vegetation on lands pertaining to the forestry fund. In some places, the boundaries of the forest inventory test sites had to be corrected by visual deciphering of the satellite images. The basic data source used to map vegetation outside forests were modern aerial and satellite images (Fig.1), as well as published vegetation descriptions for the relevant area [15, 16]. Based on them, the boundaries of arable lands (agrophytocenosis), the moist meadows along the Iskur River, pastures, and swamped areas were outlined. There was no large-scale landscape map issued for the Town of Novi Iskur at the time of the study. This required creating such a thematic layer for which purpose the data input in the GBD were used (Fig.1). For the purposes of landscape classification, 240 objects at landscape type level and 26 factors (parameters) were isolated. Input data were classified based on input parameter similarity indexes using the cluster analysis procedures embedded in ArcGIS 9.2/ArcInfo, as well as free statistical software. The disagreement between the objects was calculated using Dice s disagreement index. On this basis and on the basis of the objects dendrogram, the similarity level was determined based on Jaccard similarity index whereupon 4 types of landscapes were isolated (Figure 2). Figure 2. Map of the integrated landscape planning objectives on the land of the town of Novi Iskur 1.4. Elaborating a map of the integrated objectives of land use territorial planning on the land of the Town of Novi Iskur. To provide for making suggestions and recommendations related with landscape planning of land use, a Map of the Integrated Objectives of Land Use Territorial Planning on the Land of the Town 218

5 of Novi Iskur (Figure 2) was elaborated. The action objectives and the landscapes economic functions were determined after the methods of Antipov, А., А. V. Drozdov [16]. The major changes introduced in the diagram suggested by them were appropriated to the landscape types and the lack of protected territories under Bulgarian or international legislation on the examined land. This is why the Map of the Integrated Objectives is presented in 8 classes (target action groups), and not in 10, as the authors suggest [16]. As a result of the analysis of these classes, the major conclusions and recommendations for conducting territory planning policies were grouped based on the impact index. This is necessitated by the fact that the man-induced impact observed so far features various nature and territorial manifestation throughout the examined land. On the other side, the landscapes loading strength is different, which also necessitates accounting for the type of environmental protection measures and economic activities. The integrated action groups according to anthropogenic fragmentation index and landscape types are presented in Figure Major results As a result of the analysis of the thematic layers and the composed Map of the Integrated Objectives of Land Use Territorial Planning on the Land of the Town of Novi Iskur, 4 basic types of landscapes were isolated which impact adjacent landscapes (Figure 2). The first group of landscapes (Р, 7) occupies the greatest portion of the area of the land of Novi Iskur (Fig.2). It features extensive land use, low labour productivity, high portion of barren land, expropriation of agricultural fund for the needs of urban development and infrastructure. The high anthropogenic loading in the area required to formulate a suite of objectives and measures to improve the available condition and intensify land use, so as to render it more effective. Neutral landscapes (group N, 3; N, 7) with respect to their impact on adjacent territories occupy 9.38 % of the area. This group comprises mostly lake-swamp landscapes which feature high unassisted cleaning and restoration rate. Nevertheless, the formulated objectives regarding their territorial planning relate to the preservation of available biodiversity and increasing the efficiency of these landscape resources land use technologies. Disturbed landscapes (group D, 3) occupy a relatively higher portion of the territory (Fig.2). They require application of complex measures to restrict unregulated economic activities and preserve and improve available biodiversity. Accounting for the nature of disturbed lands (former mines or quarries for the extraction of uranium, coal, rock, or aggregates) and the need of recultivation actions, it was recommended to establish a Register of Valuable Local Habitats and Characteristic Landscapes. This will provide to construct a supporting landscape network and monitor on a regular basis the processes of the landscapes unassisted restoration. Remote landscapes (group R, 4; R, 5; R, 6; R, 7) occupy % of the total area of the land of Novi Iskur. They are relatively unaffected by anthropogenic pressure and loading. Their condition requires introduction of appropriate grazing restrictions by allocating regulated places for the purpose, complying with the landscape-ecological potential of the meadows and pastures on the land. The priority objectives for these landscapes development are to practice ecologically friendly agriculture and establish conditions for development of local country and eco-tourism and educational activity. 3. Conclusions The major conclusions and recommendations for the local self-governance authorities aiming to boost the effectiveness of their landscape land use planning policies on the land of Novi Iskur relate to the following activities: 219

6 In view of assisting decision-taking on territorial planning issues it is recommended to develop a landscape-ecological plan and an on-line geographic information system; In respect of the Disturbed landscapes group it is imperative to establish a Register of Valuable Local Habitats and Characteristic Landscapes for the purpose of landscape preservation and monitoring on a regular basis. This will provide to monitor and control the unassisted restoration processes taking place therein and apply the European Landscape Convention aiming to preserve landscapes and biological diversity; To introduce appropriate grazing restrictions by allocating regulated places for the purpose, complying with the landscape-ecological potential of the meadows and pastures on the land. In large-scale landscape land use planning it is imperative to use as a major data source both archive and modern aerial and satellite high resolution images. Thus, the introduction in landscape planning methodology of new technologies for land cover/ land use spatial analysis based on remote sensing will improve the trustworthiness of mapping results and therefore, the quality of obtained geospatial information used as a basis for decision-taking by the local self-governance authorities. Acknowledgements The study is implemented within the framework of the scientific-research contract Development of Methodical Fundamentals of Landscape-Ecological Planning Using Geoinformation Technologies concluded between the SRI-BAS and the Scientific Research Fund at the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Bulgaria. The used aerospace data are provided by the Scientific-Information Complex for Aerospace Test Sites on the Territory of the Republic of Bulgaria established with the financial aid of the SRI-BAS and the Scientific Research Fund at the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Bulgaria. Res. Fell. L. Filchev, PhD student, Res. Fell. Vanya Naydenova PhD, Res. Fell. P. Dimitrov, PhD student are beneficiaries of a project of Bulgarian Ministry of Education and Science the OP Human Resources Development funded by ESF, Contract BG051PO001/07/3.3-02/63/ We pay our gratitude to the company Eurosense EOOD for the aerial photos for 2006 provided by them which were used in elaborating the DEM; the National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences for the climatic data provided by them; the Executive Soul Resource Agency at the Bulgarian Ministry of Health for the soil data provided by them. The GIS software used for the presented study (ArcGIS 9.2 with ArcInfo license) was granted by ESRI Inc. in 2007 under the ESRI Conservation Program and SCGIS Scholarship Program. References [1] C. Mücher, J. Klijn, D. Wascher, J. Schaminée, A new European Landscape Classification (LANMAP): A transparent, flexible and user-oriented methodology to distinguish landscapes. Ecological Indicators 10 (2010), [2] The Rio Declaration on the Environment. Gland: IUCN, UNEP, WWF, (1992) [3] J. Ahern. Spatial concepts: planning strategies and future scenarios: A framework method for integrating landscape ecology and landscape planning. In J. Klopatek and R. Gardner (eds.). Landscape Ecological Analysis, Springer, 1999, [4] C. Agarwal, G. Green, J. Grove, T. Evans, C. Schweik. A Review and Assessment of Land-Use Change Models: Dynamics of Space, Time, and Human Choice. General Technical Report NE-297. Newtown Square, PA: USDA, Forest Service, Northeastern Research Station, (2002) [5] X. Baulies, G. Szejach (eds.). LUCC Data Requirements Workshop. LUCC Report Series No.3, Barcelona: Institut Cartografic de Catalunya, 1997 [6] E. Roumenina, V. Naydenova, G. Jelev, V. Vassilev, L. Kraleva. Aerospace Test Sites in Bulgaria State and Prospects. Aerospace Research in Bulgaria, Space Research Institute, 23 (2009),

7 [7] M. Bossard, J. Feranec, J. Otahel. CORINE Land Cover Technical Guide Addendum // Technical Report, EEA, Copenhagen, 40 (2000) [8] J.Anderson, E.Hardy, J. Roach, R.Witmer, A land use and land cover classification system for use with remote sensor data. Geological Survey Professional Paper 964, United States Government Printing Office, Washington, 1976 [9] V. Vassilev, An approach for accuracy assessment comparison between per-pixel supervised and object-oriented classifications on a QuickBird image. Proceedings 30 th EARSeL Symposium - Remote Sensing for Science, Education, and Natural and Cultural Heritage, 31 th May 3 rd June, 2010 UNESCO Headquarters, Paris, France [10] C. Steenmans, U. Pinborg. Anthropogenic fragmentation of potential semi-natural and natural areas. Inc: European Commission (DG AGRI, EUROSTAT, Joint Research Centre (Ispra)) & European Environmental Agency [Ed.]: From Land Cover to Landscape Diversity in the European Union. Office for Official Publications of the EC, 2000 [11] Geologic Map of Bulgaria. Geological Institute Bulgarian Academy of Sciences and и ПГПГК (Enterprise for Geophysical Explorations and Geological Mapping), (in Bulgarian) [12] D. Topliyski, А. Popov, Climatic Types in Bulgaria as per the Thorntwaite s Moisturizing Index, Annual of the St. Kliment Ohridski University of Sofia, Faculty of Geology and Geography, Geography, 87 (1995), (in Bulgarian) [13] [13] D. Topliyski, Chronological Structure of Potential Evapotranspiration in the Non-Mountainous Part of Bulgaria, Annual of the St. Kliment Ohridski University of Sofia, Faculty of Geology and Geography, Geography, 90 (2000), (in Bulgarian) [14] Ivan Bondev. The vegetation of Bulgaria. Map 1:600,000 with explanatory text. St. Kliment Ohridski University of Sofia, 1991 [15] D. Dimitrov, V. Vutov, Flora and vegetation of the national landmarks Kutina Pyramids and Stob Pyramids. Proceedings of IV BBC-Sofia 2006, (2006), [16] А. Antipov, А. Drozdov (eds.), Landscape Planning: Principles, Methods, European and Russian Experience, Институт географии СО РАН, (in Russian) 221

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