GI_Forum 2017, Volume 5, Issue 1 Journal for Geographic Information Science
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Verlag der Österreichischen Akademie der Wissenschaften Austrian Academy of Sciences Press
A-1011 Wien, Dr. Ignaz Seipel-Platz 2
Tel. +43-1-515 81/DW 3420, Fax +43-1-515 81/DW 3400 https://verlag.oeaw.ac.at, e-mail: verlag@oeaw.ac.at |
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DATUM, UNTERSCHRIFT / DATE, SIGNATURE
BANK AUSTRIA CREDITANSTALT, WIEN (IBAN AT04 1100 0006 2280 0100, BIC BKAUATWW), DEUTSCHE BANK MÜNCHEN (IBAN DE16 7007 0024 0238 8270 00, BIC DEUTDEDBMUC)
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GI_Forum 2017, Volume 5, Issue 1 Journal for Geographic Information Science
ISSN 2308-1708 Online Edition ISBN 978-3-7001-8158-3 Online Edition
Lorenz Wendt,
Stefan Lang,
Edith Rogenhofer
S. 172 - 182 doi:10.1553/giscience2017_01_s172 Verlag der Österreichischen Akademie der Wissenschaften doi:10.1553/giscience2017_01_s172
Abstract: The Department of Geoinformatics of the University of Salzburg Z_GIS offers mapping products of camps of displaced people to support the operational work of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF – Doctors Without Borders) and other humanitarian actors. These maps are usually based on very-high resolution satellite imagery, featuring a spatial resolution of up to 30cm/pixel. These very detailed satellite images allow the extraction of individual dwellings as the basis for a detailed estimation of the population of a particular camp. Such images are acquired on demand only, and are priced by square kilometre, making reconnaissance observations over larger areas or repetitive monitoring tasks very costly. In contrast, the European satellite Sentinel-2A, launched in June 2015, features global coverage, a ground resolution of 10m/pixel, and its imagery is available free of charge. In this ongoing study, we explore the potential of Sentinel-2A imagery for the monitoring of refugee camps and camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs), either using only Sentinel-2 images, or using a combination of Sentinel-2 and VHR imagery. As expected, the spatial resolution of Sentinel-2 is just at the limit of what is required for mapping such camps. Therefore, the operational use of it depends on the size and the structure of the camp (planned vs. spontaneously formed), and the season, governing the contrast between dwellings and soil/vegetation. Sentinel-2 imagery can be a valuable asset to increase situational awareness, can help guide the acquisition of VHR images, and, in conjunction with analyses on VHR images, can allow a semi-continuous monitoring of dwelling numbers with a reasonable margin of error, of around 10%, as compared to VHR analyses alone. Keywords: Earth Observation, humanitarian action, Sentinel-2, population estimation Published Online: 2017/06/30 08:53:29 Object Identifier: 0xc1aa5572 0x00369cd4 Rights:https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/
GI_Forum publishes high quality original research across the transdisciplinary field of Geographic Information Science (GIScience). The journal provides a platform for dialogue among GI-Scientists and educators, technologists and critical thinkers in an ongoing effort to advance the field and ultimately contribute to the creation of an informed GISociety. Submissions concentrate on innovation in education, science, methodology and technologies in the spatial domain and their role towards a more just, ethical and sustainable science and society. GI_Forum implements the policy of open access publication after a double-blind peer review process through a highly international team of seasoned scientists for quality assurance. Special emphasis is put on actively supporting young scientists through formative reviews of their submissions. Only English language contributions are published.
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Verlag der Österreichischen Akademie der Wissenschaften Austrian Academy of Sciences Press
A-1011 Wien, Dr. Ignaz Seipel-Platz 2
Tel. +43-1-515 81/DW 3420, Fax +43-1-515 81/DW 3400 https://verlag.oeaw.ac.at, e-mail: verlag@oeaw.ac.at |