NWT RESEARCH DATABASE

Regions: North Slave Region

Tags: physical sciences, wetlands, mapping

Objective(s): To develop and use computer-based methods to produce wetland maps using satellite imagery and conduct overhead field surveys to calibrate and validate the accuracy of the produced wetland maps as well as produce user friendly documents describing the wetland maps and their wetland classes throughout the Tlicho Region in accordance to the Canadian Wetland Classification System.

Project Description: This licence has been issued for the scientific research application No.5290. This project aims to develop and use computer-based methods to produce wetland maps using satellite imagery; to conduct overhead field surveys to calibrate and validate the accuracy of the produced wetland maps; Produce user friendly documents describing the wetland maps and their wetland classes throughout the Tlicho Region in accordance to the Canadian Wetland Classification System; and have the information available to update current Land Use Plan information for the Tlicho Government. Remote sensing methods for this project will include cataloging, pre-processing, and data classification of satellite imagery using machine learning methods. Supervised classification of imagery will be completed by interpreting spectral/satellite signatures together with available ancillary and field data of the Tlicho area. Satellite imagery will be collected from various sensors and from the 2022 summer time period. Collected field data will be used partially as training data to perform image classification and the remaining unused field sites will be used to assess product accuracy. Additional interpreted field sites will be collected from high-resolution satellite imagery acquired across the Tlicho project boundary. The final product for this project will include a detailed classification that reflects the national Canadian Wetland Classification System (CWCS) data model, expected the following year. Consultation with Tlicho Government Land use Planning Department regarding project specifications, field work, deliverables, etc. has commenced with Ducks Unlimited Canada attending and presenting to the Tlicho leadership at their summer assembly meeting in 2022. The fieldwork for this study will be conducted from July 25, 2022 to December 31, 2022