An Object-oriented Knowledge-based Image Analysis System for Environmental Monitoring Using Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems

Principal Investigator:
Leung, Yee

Co-investigator(s):
Fung, Tung
Leung, Kwong Sak

Summary:
Our environment is subject to tremendous pressure with changes occurring in both content and quality. A better monitoring tool is of utmost importance for better planning and management of land resources. Remote sensing and geographic information systems are tools well suitable for this purpose. However, these data are of massive volume and application in environmental monitoring required continuous updating. This research produces an object-oriented geographic information system, GOTO which provides dynamic data capture. It also proposes a conceptual framework for concept-based object-oriented GIS within which spatial reasoning can be performed via everyday concepts and managed transparently by the object-oriented approach. A new image compression technique was produced which was particularly suitable for handling satellite remotely sensed data with good compression ratio and without any loss in information. Environmental quality in Hong Kong was assessed through a study of the changing vegetation index derived from satellite data. The index was related to ecological and socioeconomic data. It was able to reveal area subject to continuous reduction in green space and vice versa.