Definition

Land cover is the observed (bio)physical coverLand cover is the observed (bio)physical cover

on the earth’s surfaceon the earth’s surface.

It includes vegetation and man-made features as well as bare rock, bare soil and water surfaces.

Classification Concepts

Difference between Classification and Legend

Legend is defined as the “application of a classification in a application of a classification in a particular area particular area ” (Di Gregorio and Jansen, 1998).

Classification Concepts

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50%

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7883

Reference Classification System

DEFINEDGEOGRAPHIC

AREA

given scale and data type

mappingunits

derivedlegend

Current a-priori classifications in relation to flexibility

Conceptual Basis

high level of standardization

lowflexibility

incr

easi

ng

nu

mb

er o

f cl

asse

s

understandable list of class names

enormous list ofclass names with

unclear or too narrowclass boundary

limited number ofgeneric classes

limited number ofgeneric classes

adequate numberof detailed classes

high flexibility

low level of standardization

By increasing the number of classes in an a-priori system, the problem arises of how a user will find its way.

Class boundary definitions are based on very slight differences

Class boundary definitions will be clear and classes will contain aggregated land cover types.

Flexibility that will allow the accommodation of any occurring land cover.

New approach to classification -1-Increasing flexibility while maintaining mapabilitymapability

The classification should be flexible in the sense that it should address the potential for the classification system to describe enough classes to cope with the real world.

At the same time flexibility should adhere to strict class boundary definitions that are unambiguous and clear.

Basic principle

A land cover class is defined by the combination of a set of independent diagnostic attributes, the so-called classifiersclassifiers that are arranged to assure a high degree of mapabilitymapability, i.e. geographical accuracy.

Conceptual Basis

The initial Dichotomous Phase Dichotomous Phase of LCCS

Conceptual Basis

Below the Dichotomous Phase is shown consisting of pairs of buttons of which the

user can select one at the time.Classifier used:Presence of Vegetation

Classifier used:Edaphic Condition

Classifier used:Artificiality of Cover

The subsequent Modular-Hierarchical PhaseModular-Hierarchical Phase of LCCS

Conceptual Basis

The sets of classifiers tailored to the major land cover and hierarchically arranged according to mapability (classifiers presented in dark blue).

Concept for creation of a land cover class

Stepwise selection of classifiers that will generate:

• a string of codes, the so-called Boolean FormulaBoolean Formula;

• a Standard Class NameStandard Class Name; and

• a unique Numerical CodeNumerical Code.

Conceptual Basis

Example “Natural and Semi-Natural Terrestrial Vegetation (A12)”Example “Natural and Semi-Natural Terrestrial Vegetation (A12)”Example “Natural and Semi-Natural Terrestrial Vegetation (A12)” ::

Classifiers Used:Classifiers Used:Classifiers Used:Classifiers Used: Boolean Formula:Boolean Formula:Boolean Formula:Boolean Formula: Standard Class Name:Standard Class Name:Standard Class Name:Standard Class Name: Code:Code:Code:Code:Code:Life Form & Cover A3A10 Closed Forest 20005Height A3A10B2 High Closed Forest 20006 Spatial Distribution A3A10B2C1 Continuous Closed Forest 20007Leaf Type A3A10B2C1D1 Broadleaved Closed Forest 20095Leaf Phenology A3A10B2C1D1E2 Broadleaved Deciduous Forest 200972nd Layer: LF, C, H A3A10B2C1D1E2F2F5F7G2 Multi-Layered Broadleaved

Deciduous Forest 206283rd Layer: LF, C, H A3A10B2C1D1E2F2F5F7G2 Multi-Layered Broadleaved Deciduous

F2F5F10G2 Forest With Emergents 20630

With each classifier option selected, the string of codes grows, the class name

changes and so does the code.

Overview of the software application

Classification Module

build up legend

edit classes

create user-defined land cover classes

display legend

save and retrieve

print

export

FIELD DATA MODULEFIELD DATA MODULE

standardized general field data collection

specific field data collection

automatic extraction of land cover class

from field data

saving of field data in synthetic form

print and export

TRANSLATOR MODULETRANSLATOR MODULE

translation of external classifications

into LCCS

similarity of external single classes through

LCCS

comparison of twoexternal classifications

through LCCS

comparison of twoLCCS classes

all classifiers and attributes

glossary

conditions to create land cover classes

database of all possible classes including name, code and

description

images and interpretation database

CLASSIFICATION MODULE

LEGEND MODULELEGEND MODULE

How to add User-defined Attributes?

Land cover classes can be “cloned” in order to add specific user-defined attributes to the standard class. A user may want to further define a classifier and/or attribute already used, or add a new attribute. A standard set of clone options is provided.

Legend Module

The Type of Clone to be made is selected in this window. The result is a code added to the Boolean code (e.g. (1) in the example above)

The user-defined code is specified in this window as well as its meaning.

A priori versus a posteriori

classification

Classification Concepts

CONCRETE FIELD SITUATIONA PRIORI CLASSIFICATION

A POSTERIORI CLASSIFICATION

ADVANTAGES:

- HIERARCHICAL ORDER- STANDARDIZATION

DISADVANTAGES:

- IMPLICIT RIGIDITY OF THE SYSTEM

ADVANTAGE:

- HIGH DEGREE OF FLEXIBILITY

DISADVANTAGES:- DEPENDING ON AREA- NO STANDARDIZATION

OR HIERARCHICAL ORDER

Example of a very general a priori classificationa priori classification based on four classes (triangle in black and white

and circle in black and white) representing the field situation below.

Due to the generalization of the classes, the user is obliged to make the best fit of one of the hundred

possibilities in the field into one of the four classes, which may result in selecting a class that does not

represent well the actual situation.

Example of a posteriori classificationa posteriori classification. The classes fit better the actual situation

in the field situation but the area described is only a portion of the total.