Tracking Land Cover Changes
in the San Fernando Valley, California
Exercise Summary:
The project study area is the San Fernando Valley, located in the north-western section of the city of Los Angeles, California. In just the past several decades, the Valley has been transformed from small farms and agriculture to suburbs, and then to complete urbanization. Miles of open space and farmlands have been converted into cities occupied by tens of thousands of families. The onset of the motion picture, automobile, and aircraft industries drove urbanization and population growth. This growth gathered speed in the years following World War II, and by 1960, the Valley’s population exceeded 1 million. Growth continues in the 21st century, and today the San Fernando Valley is home to approximately 1.8 million people. The rapid urbanization has Valley officials addressing issues such as traffic grid-lock, smog, over-crowding, and the challenges of providing adequate water. As the Valley continues to experience population growth and industrial expansion, regional planners and city officials will require reliable information for successful future planning and decision making.
During this exercise the students will learn how to download and use Landsat (remote sensing) data from two different dates in order to investigate how land use has changed between 1988 and 2009 in the San Fernando Valley of California. They will learn basic remote sensing concepts and analysis techniques and understand how to integrate remote sensing with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in order to identify land cover changes in the San Fernando Valley. The students will be guided through the necessary steps for visualizing, classifying, interpreting, and examining land use changes in the study area, using both remote sensing data and GIS data. (They should be familiar with basic use of ArcGIS 10 from Esri.) Students will also have the option to use Global Positioning System (GPS) Units to acquire location data for specific areas of study.
Topic
Environmental Management - Land use change
Level
College Lower (13-14) and secondary (11-12) Introductory Level
Developed by the Integrated Geospatial Education and Technology Training (iGETT) project, with funding from the National Science Foundation (DUE-0703185) to the National Council for Geographic Education. Opinions expressed are those of the author and are not endorsed by NSF. Available for educational use only. See http://igett.delmar.edu for additional remote sensing exercises and other teaching materials. Created 2011; last modified January 2012.
Student Handout and Data
To download the Student Handout click here (Word / Pdf). This exercise requires no additional data, as all data is downloaded or created as steps in the exercise.
Learning Objectives
In this exercise students will learn how to:
· Download Landsat remote sensing data for the study area by accessing appropriate websites
· Create composite (true, false, pseudo) images using specific bands (wavelength ranges, or channels) of Landsat data
· Learn how to create spectral signatures for individual pixels of different Land Cover types
· Classify data using unsupervised classification techniques
· Calculate acreage values for land use types and determine change over time
· Present their findings with appropriate maps and visuals
Class Time Required
This exercise will cover approximately 1 lecture and 2 lab sessions
Software Required
This exercise requires the use of ArcGIS 10 from Esri.
Prerequisite Skills
Working knowledge of ArcGIS
Student Outcomes
· Develop map-reading skills, including recognizing latitude, longitude and other coordinate systems currently employed in mapping
· Develop remote sensing concept awareness and skills in remote sensing analysis, including basic uses of electromagnetic spectrum channels (bands),
· Develop critical thinking skills by determining, accessing and downloading required data and other background information
· Demonstrate skills in manipulating GIS software (specifically ArcGIS 10)
· Demonstrate skills in manipulating spatial data
· Demonstrate skills in remote sensing image interpretation and analysis
· Demonstrate skills in integrating data from different sources, i.e., remote sensing data, aerial photography, and other data as needed and available (text, maps, etc., from local agencies: e.g. AQMD)
· Optional: GPS data acquisition, processing, and inclusion in final map analysis as part of field verification
Evaluation & Deliverables
Report (written and oral) on results of analysis as a presentation that includes appropriate maps and other visuals.
References and Resources
1) Lillesand, T.M., and R.W. Kiefer and J.W. Chipman. Remote Sensing and Image Interpretation. 5th ed.
2) IGETT-NASA: “How People Use Remote Sensing.” Jeannie Allen
3) A Land Use and Land Cover Classification System for Use with Remote Sensing Data (Anderson et al).
4) iGETT Learning Unit: “Severity and Post-fire Chaparral Recovery.” Vicki Drake
5) Websites:
http://glovis.usgs.gov
http://www.landsat.org/
http://www.ucalgary.ca/GEOG/Virtual/remoteintro.html
http://www.ccrs.nrcan.gc.ca/resource/tutor/fundam/chapter4/01_e.php
http://www.csun.edu/sfverc/censusdata.htm
http://library.csun.edu/mfinley/valley.html
http://www.genesisfiles.com/RemoteSensingBands.htm
http://www.esri.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Fernando_Valley
Author
Original ENVI version: Adrian Youhanna
Pierce College, Woodland Hills, CA
Email:
Original activity for use with ENVI/ArcGIS 9x developed by Adrian Youhanna.
Adapted to use only ArcGIS 10 by Ann Johnson ()
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