Linear spectral mixture model as a tool for monitoring deforestation and timber exploitation in the Brazilian Amazon

Abstract

The objective of this study is to show the operational capacity of a "linear spectral mixture model" using TMfLandsat data for the characterization/monitoring of the annual deforestation and the timber logging exploitation process in the Amazon. In the methodological procedure, the orignal TM bands were initially converted to "vegetation", "shade" and "soil" fraction images, derived from the linear spectral mixture model. After the selection of fraction images, the scene segmentation was made using a region growing algorithm, and then an unsupervised classifier (per region) was applied.Afterwards, the thematic polygons were manually edited to generate the final maps. An analysis was made on the proportion of "vegetation", "shade" and "soil" components, for primary forest, selective logging, regrowth, and deforestation areas, for the timeframe 1997-2001. This analysis demonstrates, through the ternary diagram, that the variations in the spatial attributes of these component fractions were caused by a land coverfland use change process. A set of images and maps, showing the temporal identffication of deforested and timber logging exploitation areas is shown. as a result of the operational use of this technique. The spatial distribution of these landscape changes provides subsidies to environmental agencies for the control and enforcement of specific conservation policies referring to the Amazon forest resources.

Spatial point process modelling of land use and land cover (LULC) change

“…Several different techniques using satellite data have been implemented for detection and quantification of areas under selective logging, ranging from a simple visual interpretation of the satellite imagery (Stone and P., 1998;Matricardi et al, 2007) and texture analysis (Asner et al, 2002), to the more technical spectral mixture modelling (Souza and Barreto, 2000;Santos et al, 2003;Souza et al, 2003).…”

“…Spatial analysis of logging distribution in the Amazonia may also be helpful in determining the most important factors responsible for the Amazonian forests degradation. Ultimately, this can assist in formulting effective strategies for conservation and exploitation of the forest resources (Santos et al, 2003).…”