Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Canada #71: Mapping and change detection of Northern landscapes using multi-temporal Earth  (Landscape mapping and change detection)

Outline
The northern landscapes subject to changes due to human activities and the various natural phenomena. Geospatial data are required to serve as the basis for mapping and as reference for the determination of landscape changes over time. For areas of high interest, such as communities, national parks or other sensitive areas, the availability of complete, accurate and easily accessible and usable spatio-temporal information will contribute to knowledge-based decision-making for land and resource management, economic development, environmental assessments and emergency preparedness. Earth observation (EO) satellite sensors are unique systems for acquiring up to date information on Canada's North in a systematic and repetitive mode. The existing aerial photography available in the National Airphoto Library and dating back to 1960 and 1970, and the Air Survey Database can serve as the baseline for the comparison of these multi-temporal data sets and the provision of control information. The objectives of this proposed activity are: A) Generation of multi-temporal geodatabases for selected areas in Northern Canada using available high resolution optical and SAR EO data, including DEM generation without or just a few ground control points (GCPs) using repeat-pass optical stereo images and SAR interferometry, which can be used for monitoring dynamic variation of the terrain in the North. B) Determination of changes over time by developing and implementing change detection and extraction methodologies using the spatio-temporal datasets generated in (A). C) Visualization and representation of the results in the forms of digital and paper maps, 3/4D representations and interactive maps. D) Documentation and access of the findings and products of the work. For (A) The geodatabases will consist of layers, such as high resolution ortho-imagery, terrain relief (DEMs), toponymy, transportation, and boundaries. The implementation will be based on the use of satellite sensors, such as SPOT 5, IKONOS, QuickBird, RADARSAT-2, and digitised aerial photography. For (B) The detection and extraction of spatial changes involves the comparison of the spatial patterns of two or more spatio-temporal datasets. The work will use “old” and “new” data sets and it will be based on the implementation of interactive and automated approaches using GIS and image processing techniques. Both feature-based and image-based approaches will be investigated and developed. For (C) Digital and paper image maps and 3D visualizations will be used for the representation of the terrain databases. The spatial changes will be visualized through static and dynamic representations, while interactive maps using the scalable vector graphics (SVG) format will enhance the understanding of the map information. For (D) The work of this project will be documented via various publications, while the results will be made easily accessible and available for current and future knowledge based decisions about the Northern areas.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
This work will advance our knowledge on the current and past states of the landscape of selected arctic regions in Northern Canada by generating complete, accurate and easily accessible and usable spatio-temporal information. This will form fundamental spatial reference layers, thus establishing the spatial infrastructure framework for the studied regions. The work on the detection of changes will contribute to the development of methods and techniques for monitoring spatial changes and will provide the ability the determine whattype of spatial changes have occurred and where over the last 30 to 40 years. These results can be also used to validate the various simulation and prediction models.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
Not known at this time.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
The areas will be located in the National Parks (existing and new) and in communities of Northern Canada. The areas will be selected in consultation with our Northern partners. We anticipate to work on 5-7 areas.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: See note below            
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
This project will required the acquisition of data from optical and SAR EO satellites, such as SPOT 5, IKONOS, QuickBird and Radarsat-2. Existing aerial photography will be acquired from the National Airphoto Library (NAPL). The required control points will be acquired from the Air Survey Database (ASDB). Both air- and spacborne data can be shared with other projects.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
The spatial data and information generated in this project will be made available. This will contribute not only to future scientific work but also to the management of land, its resources and its sustainable development. The participants in this project will also make contributions through the planned outreach programs. These contributions will remain available for future consultations.

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?
National agency

The logistics will be secured with contributions from the Centre for Topographic Information/Earth Science Sector/Natural Resources Canada, and from Parks Canada.

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
This pre-proposal has been reviewed and is being submitted by the Canadian Steering Committee (CSC). Ongoing discussions will integrate this pre-proposal into a larger network of related national and international initiatives. The CSC has initially sorted this pre-proposal into: Ecosystems Terrestrial Processes

PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND STRUCTURE

Is the project a short-term expansion (over the IPY 2007-2008 timeframe) of an existing plan, programme or initiative or is it a new autonomous proposal?
New

It is expected that this new project will be under the Program Geomatics for Northern Development of the Earth Science Sector, Natural Resources Canada.

How will the project be organised and managed?
This is a joint proposal by the Centre for Topographic Information/Natural Resources Canada, Parks Canada and the Departments of Geomatics Engineering of the Universities of Calgary and Ryerson. The project will be managed through the existing management structures of the Centre for Topographic Information/Natural Resources Canada. Certain research work will be conducted by the participating faculty members and graduate students from the two universities.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
The Education, Outreach & Communication issues are planned to be addressed via scientific publications, publication of maps, creation of web site, web-based interactive maps, presentations at workshops/seminars held in the North and visits, presentations and discussions with our Northern partners. The EO-Remote Sensing capabilities demonstrated by this project will have the opportunity to be included in Parks Canada national school curriculum projects as well as through program outreach activities.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
The metadata of the spatial data generated from the work of this project will follow Canadian Geospatial Data Infrastructure (CGD), Open GIS Consortium (OGC) and the Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) standards and specifications. This will allow for data discovery, display and handling using the web map services (WMS).

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Acquisition of satellite data $ 60 000 NRCan Salaries (1PY/yr x 2yr) $ 100 000 Education Outreach & Communication $ 20 000 Services $ 50 000 Graduate students stipends (3 students @ $16K each) $ 48 000 Project management $ 10 000 Total: $ 288 000 Duration of the project: 2 years (2006-07 and 2007-08) The budget depends of the extension of geographical coverage.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
The team of principal investigators (see names below) has extensive research experience in the areas of mapping from air-and space-borne data and the areas of feature extraction and change detection from imagery.

PROPOSER DETAILS

Costas Armenakis
615 Booth Str
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0E9
Canada

Tel: (613) 992-4487
Mobile: no
Fax: (613) 995-4127
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation