Cost-Effective Raster Image Processing for Geoecological Analysis using ISOCLUST Classifier: a Case Study of Estonian Landscapes

The goal of the study is to perform comparative analysis of image processing methods, enabled by means of IDRISI GIS software. The purpose has two aims. First, a spatial analysis of land cover types in the coastal landscapes of western Estonia, Pärnu area, at two various temporal dates. Second, an overview of the technical methods of IDRISI GIS enabling to evaluate image processing. The main research method consists in classification of satellite images for resulting geoecological mapping of landscapes. The ISOCLUST classification enabled to create multi-spatiotemporal thematic maps of Pärnu area. The research method is based on the spatiotemporal analysis of the geospatial data, performed by means of GIS tools and remote sensing data. The images were downloaded from the Earth Science Data Interface, Global Land Cover Facility. The Landsat TM imagery include scenes of June 2006 and June 1992. Both images cover summer months, thus enabling vegetation coverage to be easily recognized.