NaturaSat—A Software Tool for Identification, Monitoring and Evaluation of Habitats by Remote Sensing Techniques

Abstract

The NaturaSat software integrates various image processing techniques together with vegetation data, into one multipurpose tool that is designed for performing facilities for all requirements of habitat exploration, all in one place. It provides direct access to multispectral Sentinel-2 data provided by the European Space Agency. It supports using these data with various vegetation databases, in a user-friendly environment, for, e.g., vegetation scientists, fieldwork experts, and nature conservationists. The presented study introduces the NaturaSat software, describes new powerful tools, such as the semi-automatic and automatic segmentation methods, and natural numerical networks, together with validated examples comparing field surveys and software outputs. The software is robust enough for field work researchers and stakeholders to accurately extract target units’ borders, even on the habitat level. The deep learning algorithm, developed for habitat classification within the NaturaSat software, can also be used in various research tasks or in nature conservation practices, such as identifying ecosystem services and conservation value. The exact maps of the habitats obtained within the project can improve many further vegetation and landscape ecology studies.

Exploring Natura 2000 Habitats by Satellite Image Segmentation: a case study from the Čierny Balog area (Central Slovakia)

“…In planted forests, in contrast with native forests, there are trees of the same age that are often planted in rows. Therefore, in addition to optical data, characteristics expressing information about the structure can be used to recognize them -we used Relative High Laplacian (RHL) values [31]. This RLH classi er was developed and implemented in NaturaSat software to detect structural differences and capture the heterogeneity (diversity) of data.…”

“…The satellite image segmentation methods used in the present study are one such tool [31][32][33]. They work based on evolving planar curves and are e cient and robust segmentation tools when an "initial estimate" of the desired area is available.…”

Editorial for Special Issue: “New Insights into Ecosystem Monitoring Using Geospatial Techniques”

“…In K. Mikula et al [15], it was presented that the NaturaSat software aims to integrate image-processing knowledge and various techniques together with vegetation science, into one multipurpose tool that is designed for performing facilities for all the requirements of habitat exploration in one place. The results obtained show that NaturaSat software implements new powerful tools, such as the semi-automatic and automatic segmentation RS imageries methods and natural numerical networks.…”

ELULC-10, a 10 m European Land Use and Land Cover Map Using Sentinel and Landsat Data in Google Earth Engine

“…Policymakers require accurate geoinformation about the interactions between human activities and the environment, to maintain and improve sustainable development and planning strategies. In this regard, Remote Sensing (RS) systems acquire valuable datasets, which can be efficiently applied to various applications, such as urban planning [1][2][3], water management [4,5], nature conservation [6][7][8], natural resource monitoring [9][10][11], habitat distribution assessment [12][13][14], and LULC mapping [15,16].…”