Mapping of reindeer ranges in the Kautokeino area, Northern Norway, by use of Landsat 5/TM data

• Published in: Rangifer
• Main Authors: H. Tømmervik, I. Lauknes
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Septentrio Academic Publishing 1987
• Subjects: range mapping; reindeer paastures; reindeer; remote sensing; «hybrid» classification algorithm; vegetation; Animal culture; SF1-1100; Norway; Kautokeino; Northern Norway; Rangifer
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.7557/2.7.2.711; https://doaj.org/article/a9dc52d2a7b34e8683488f2eee0c74b0

The aim of this study was to test the utility of Landsat 5/TM data to detect and map reindeer ranges (winter ranges). The area which has been investigated is the Ávzze area in Kautokeino, Northern Norway, on the means of Landsat 5 TM-data. A «hybrid» non-supervised/supervised classification routine was elaborated and applied in this project. The initial stage was an analysis of several bandcombinations, and the 5/4/3 combination gave the preferable combination as input to the cluster algorithm (unsupervised classification). The image was divided in 4 sections of size 512 samples and 512 lines. One of this sections (the section which cover the ground truth map) was selected for the non-supervised classification. In the beginning 17 classes were merged, and a median filter was applied for the resultant image, which comprises 12 classes. The statistics from the final result from the non-supervised classification were then used together with the TM bandcombination 5/4/3 for the whole image, as input to the minimum distance classification algorithm. This algorithm was applied to every section in turn. A mosaic of the 4 sections was then made and a median filter was then registred to a digitalized map (UTM-pro-jection). The final result was a colored thematic map over the whole area. The classification of the scene was successful with an overall classification of 90-1 (X)% for lichen-heaths (9dx/9c/9a/9av Dry shrub, fresh shrub) and birch-forests (6d/6dv/6dx shrubtype with lichen). The condition of the lichen-heaths could be detected on a sufficient level on the basis of the satellite data, but further analysis will be done here. The accuracy of the digital classification was assessed on a quantitative basis. Visual classification and interpretation of the satellite imagery showed that areas of conflict (roads, agriculture) could be detected. In chapter 6. «Resultater og diskusjon» some other results from other studies/investigations carried out in Scandinavia concerning remote sensing in mapping of vegetation are ...