Practical

Unit III : Image interpretation

Unit IV : Geographical
Information System(GIS)
Syllabus

Unit III
-Elements of aerial image interpretation
-Visual interpretation;
-Image classification procedure; Supervised classification and unsupervised classifications
-Applications of Satellite Imageries in
Environmental monitoring, Land use mapping, Habitat analysis, Forest survey, Wetland survey, Vegetation mapping, Watershed
management, Soil conservation, Drought and flood monitoring, Landslide mapping, Urban sprawl, Rainfall mapping, Pollution
studies.

Unit IV
Introduction to Geographical Information System; Component of GIS; Geographical- structure, raster and vector; Merits and demerits; input ;
verification, storage and output of data; application of GIS in Environmental studies- Land use mapping, habitat analysis; watershed management …
Habitat analysis, Forest survey, Wetland survey, Vegetation mapping, Watershed management, Soil conservation, Drought and flood monitoring,
Landslide mapping, Urban sprawl, Rainfall mapping, Pollution studies.
 Practical Laboratory Experiments
Elective I ---Remote Sensing and GIS
Environmental Science, DM College of Science,

Programme Structure
This course is designed with the practical components related to the theory courses of the programme. Therefore, this course is designed in four parts
i.e. practical related to data creation, remote sensing data handling, GPS surveying and the spatial analysis, and map composition.

Following is the list of 8 exercises for the practical

course:
Sl Topics To be covered Remarks
1 Google Earth Pro Installation & working with Google earth in geoinformatics
2 GIS using ARCGIS Software
ArcGIS installation
Geodatabase Creation
Georeferencing
Digitization & Attribute data
Map Composition
3 Data Acquisition Theme, Sources of Data , Form of data
4 Digital classification Supervised & unsupervised
5 Visual image interpretation of Satellite data LULC-classification/Forest classification
6 Change analysis Change detection/NDVI
7 Rainfall/Pollution Mapping GIS & GPS
8 Mapping and surveying GIS & GPS

Note: Each practical exercise is generally of 4 hours duration, however, some of the exercises are of 2 hours duration depending upon the tasks involved.
 Approaches of GIS application in any disciplines
GIS has emerged as very powerful technology to integrate spatial and attribute data and methods in ways that support traditional forms of
geographical analysis, such as map overlay analyze as well as new types of analysis and modelling that are beyond the capability of manual
methods. With GIS it is possible to map, model, query, and analyze large quantities of data all held together within a single database.
The integrated approach of GIS and Remote Sensing is being recognized universally as the unique highly effective and extremely versatile technology
for evaluation, management and monitoring of natural resources and environment. With the concept of multidisciplinary integrated approach got
an impetus in monitoring and management of resources and environment.

Why use GIS/Remote Sensing?

1. Helps make better decisions
2. Helps make existing models and equations more accurate
3. Allows visual analysis of a solution & Analysis with GIS can be accurate and relatively easy
4. Allows prepare models & predictive temporal analysis
5. Faster and more accurate information, More organized on spatial distribution –land use, soil, vegetation density, forest, geology, water resources etc.
6. Useful for generating environmental indicators that can be integrated with collateral data and social indicators.
7. Synoptic view, Multi-resolution, multi-spectral, repetitive offers appropriate method for quick, unbiased mapping &
8. Monitoring of natural resources both in space and time domain.
9. Produce maps

Applications of RS & GIS

1. Environmental monitoring, 1. Watershed management,
2. Land use mapping, 2. Soil conservation,
3. Habitat analysis, 3. Drought and flood monitoring,
4. Forest survey, 4. Landslide mapping,
5. Wetland survey, 5. Urban sprawl,
6. Vegetation mapping, 6. Rainfall mapping,
7. Pollution studies.
 General steps(methodology) in order to execute any GIS Project
1. Setting up the Goals & Objectives of the study and project planning.
2. To prepare the database : Collect legacy, ancillary data , raster map/Cadastral
Maps/Toposheets/RS data(Google earth Map /Satellite Image/Aerial photograph) &
Georeference.
3. To create various layers and the thematic maps
1. Preparation of Shape file and Geodatabase.
2. Digitization on different feature layers based on image interpretation.
3. Adding attribute data
1. Editing or error correction & Building topology
4. Field Work-POI Collection (GPS and Photographs) and linking Photograph.
5. Output as decision Making
1. Running Various Selective Query Language(SQL) such as Queries and Analysis, Buffer, Overlay, reclass etc.
2. Preparation of models, Display of integrated layers as thematic maps,
3. Generate Maps, statistics, Chart/Graph & reports)
1. Land use/cover
Mapping
Land use/cover Mapping
What is Land use/Land Cover ?
Land use refers to ‘man’s activities i.e. what people do on the land surface and the various use which are
carried on the land (e.g., , human-made materials, industrial zones, residential zones, agricultural fields,
commerce, settlement).
Land cover refers to the physical condition of the ground surface or the type of material present on the
landscape (e.g., natural vegetation, water, sand, crops, forest, wetland etc). Land use is generally inferred
based on the cover, and both the terms are related and interchangeable.
Need of Land use/land cover
Land use/land cover (LU/LC) changes are affected by human intervention and
natural phenomena such as agriculture, population growth, consumption, patterns,
urbanization, economic development etc. As a consequence, timely and precise
information about (LU/LC) change detection of the area of interest is extremely
important for understanding relationships and interactions between human and
natural resources for better decision making.

Ultimately LCLU data is important for policy on environment

1. to help guide policy formulation and development
2. to help monitor and enforce the implementation of these policies
3. to assess the impact of existing or planned policies
4. to maintain a watching brief in order to identify the need for new policy
action

RS and GIS are vital tools for monitoring the fast land use
changes.
Land use/ land cover change has become a central component in current strategies
for managing natural resources of a region. By making landcover maps the land
cover change can be updated and monitored to estimate population, predict and plan
urban sprawl, monitor sensitive areas to hazards and also help in the management of
natural resources. Seasonal and annual changes can be detected.
 Lab
assignment
INTRODUCTION
Statement of the Problem:
Objective : Visual image interpretation for LULC classification Using Remote Sensing Data and GIS Tools
The study area : …..sq km ,…. District as per Census, 2011. …coordinates of 93.96o E, 28.44o N, by …E, …. N. (Bnd map & index Map)
Material & Methods
Data Source : IRS-P6 LISS-III (satellite, Sensor, Path/Row, Date, Data Type & Bands)
Software Used : ArcGIS 10.7
Geo-reference Properties: Datum, Projection, etc
Methodology
Flow chart for land use/ land cover map classification
General Methodology
The step by step procedure to workout the LULC classification in ARCGIS.
Classification system
Ground Truth
Data Analysis and Interpretation
Lulc Map
Table
Charts/Graphs
Summary and Conclusion
The step by step approach (methodology) taken to achieve the LULC;

1. Data acquisition (Procure satellite

images, Toposheet etc.)

2. Process(Hybrid, unsupervised,
Supervised classification and Visual
Images interpretation)

3. Field verification& Accuracy

assessment

4. Analysis

5. Outputs(DSS, 3d visualize, Tables,

maps, chart reports etc.)
The step by step procedure to workout the LULC classification in ARCGIS.

1. PART 1. Setup of ArcGIS project and Load imagery & Georeference if necessary
2. PART 2. Prepare a Geodatabase. Open ArcCatalog and navigate to your workspace. Right click in the contents menu and select New-
>File Geodatabase.
3. PART 3. Create a Feature Dataset.
In ArcCatalog, double click on the geodatabase to get to its contents window. Next, right click in the contents window and
select New->Feature Dataset. In the next window you will define the projection of the feature data set and then Create feature
class. Such as Polygon, line and point classes.
4. PART 4. Save ArcMAP Project(mxd format)
5. PART 5. Digitize your LULC Map(polygon feature based on different spectral reflectance(Colour) as much as you can)
6. Add attribute as per your interpretation and based on LULC classification given below.
7. PART 6: Create a Map Layout & Customize map symbology

A feature dataset is a container to hold related map data. Feature datasets hold related geographic information, such as all of
the features that comprise a single LULC map.This is sort of like a ‘subdatabase’ within the larger geodatabase.

Note : - Geometry type = Polygon/line or point; Attribute Field: description & Area. Output Map scale 1: 50000
Mapable scale for Digitisation =10000
Spatial reference : Import from the given image or Projected Coordinate Systems->Utm->Wgs 1984->WGS
1984 Zone if your map is in UTM zone 46 Good Luck !
Land use and land cover classification system

Level I Level II
1. Built Up Urban /Rural
2. Agricultural Land Agricultural Land-Crop Land
3. Forest Land Dense/Open/Scrub Forest or Evergreen/semi, moist/dry deciduous, tree clad, plantation, scrub forest etc
4. Wastelands Wastelands (Sandy/barren/scrub/salted/gullied etc)
5. Wetland Wetlands-Inland(marshy, swampy, Natural/man-made Inland)
6. Waterbodies River/Stream, Canal/Drain, Lakes/ponds, Reservoir/Tanks
7. Shifting cultivation Current/abandon
8. Others others

A feature dataset is a container to hold related map data. Feature datasets hold related geographic
information, such as all of the features that comprise a single LULC map.This is sort of like a ‘subdatabase’
within the larger geodatabase.
In ArcCatalog, double click on the geodatabase to get to its contents window. Next, right click in the contents
window and select New->Feature Dataset. Name this data set ‘geology’. In the next window you will define the
projection of the feature data set. For example, if your map is in UTM zone 46, select Projected Coordinate
Systems->Utm->Wgs 1984->WGS 1984 Zone 46N.
The next window asks for a vertical coordinate system, which may be ignored for now. The last window is for
precision. Usually the defaults are more than adequate. Hit ‘Finish’ to complete this step.
IRS-1C LISS III and PAN fused data Landuse/Land cover map
3. Forest
survey
3. Forest
survey,
How is GIS used in forestry?
GIS enables foresters and other specialists to create databases which are crucial in the preparation of
work plans, wildlife conservation and soil conservation. Forest sectors can improve their operations by
using GIS in managing forests and other important sectors related to forestry. Remote sensing is a very
useful tool for Forest resource planning, management and monitoring when integrated with a GIS

Some of these applications of remote sensing & GIS in forestry include

1. Environmental Impact Studies
2. Wildlife Habitat Evaluation
3. Biodiversity characterisation at landscape level
4. Forest Classification Mapping
5. Terrain analysis,
6. Forest management,
7. Recultivation,
8. Updating of existing forest inventories,
9. Forest cover type discrimination,
10. the delineation of burned areas, and
11. Mapping of cleared areas. etc
 Different Vegetation types as viewed by IRS P6 LISS III satellite data

Dec 2003

EG – Evergreen
SEG – Semievergreen
MD – Moist Deciduous
DD – Dry Deciduous
PLANTN - Plantations 1:250 000
SAL MOIST DECIDUOUS
FOREST
Different Plantations as viewed by IRS LISS III satellite data

•
• •

Bamboo Teak Arecanut

Acacia Sal Tea

4. Watershed
management
Watershed ?
Watershed is an area, which catches the water from precipitation and then is drained by a river
and its tributaries. It is a “resource region” where the eco-system is closely interconnected
around a basic resource - water. The watershed or river basin is therefore an ideal management
unit.
Watershed Development Approach
- Integrated and multi-disciplinary approach.
- To suggest possible exploitation of resources within the limits of tolerance.
-Approach is Preventive, Progressive, Corrective & Curative.
Benefits -
• Conservation of Soil and Water
• Improved ability of land to hold water
• Maintaining adequate vegetative cover for controlling soil erosion
• Rain water harvesting and ground water recharging.
• Promotes economic and social development of community
• Employment generation and other income generation
• Ecological balance
S Application In Watershed Management

Role of Remote sensing & GIS

Useful for generating environmental indicators that can be integrated with collateral data and social indicators.
- Synoptic view, Multi-resolution, multi-spectral, repetitive offers appropriate method for quick, unbiased mapping and monitoring of natural resources
both in space and time domain.
-The widespread collection and integration of imagery into GIS has been made possible through remote sensing.
- Timely and accurate information on spatial distribution –landuse, soil, vegetation density, forest, geology, water resources etc.
- RS data in conjunction with collateral data helps in delineation of ridge line, characterization, prioritization, erosion prone areas, etc.

Role of GIS
1. Generation of locale specific action plans for land and water resources. Unbiased reproduction of the natural features in
the form of photograph/imagery and thereby economising the multi disciplinary approach for planning of
natural resources in a watershed for integrated development. Allows the viewing and analysis of multiple
layers of spatially related information associated with a geographic region/location
2. Both spatial and attribute (tabular) data are integrated e.g. - Integration of natural resources information in
conjunction with socio-economic data.
3. Technologies like GIS lend a helping hand in organisation of these huge databases in a structured format.
4. GIS integrate multi-thematic information, analyse the information in an objective manner.
5. GIS help arrive at timely and appropriate decisions related to resource management.
6. -Analysis of SE / demographic data to assess developmental needs of the region.
7. - Assessment of the existing infrastructure to arrive at developmental schemes.
 Lab
assignment
1. Base map, Landuse (Built Up, Agricultural Land, Forest Land, Wastelands, Wetland, Waterbodies etc.) , Geology &
structural features, Soil(Texture, Moisture, Capability), Ground water, Geomorphological map, Hydrological
map(Drainage pattern & Density , Stream order etc.), Physiography & Slope & DEM etc.
2. Water harvesting sites map
3. Asset Mapping(Field Visit ) using GPS; (Households, Infrastructure and IWMP Schemes in selected watershed.) and
Data Download and processing.
4. Decision Support using Thematic Map, Slope and Aspect Map, Digital Elevation Model etc.
WATERSHED DEMARCATION AND SELECTION
Method: Separation of the major drainage area; principal drainage basin and sub-basin; watershed

CATEGORIES DELINEATION SYSTEM WATERSHED COVERAGE

Region (6) ………… 1.5-12 lakhs sq km
Basins (50) ………… 0.3- 3.0 lakhs sq km
Catchment …………. 0.1 - 0.5 lakhs sq km
Subcatchment ……. 2000 - 10000 sq km
Watershed …………. 500 - 2000 sq km
Sub-watershed …….. 50 - 500 sq km
Mini Wateshed ……. 10 - 50 sq km
Micro watershed …… 5 - 10 sq km
 Hydrologic unit& Codification of Manipur
Watershed codification
e.g.

Hydrologic Average Size

Units River Resource Region Codification Manipur Example of Code (ha) Size Range (ha)
Indus drainage – 1, Ganges drainage – 2, Brahamputra
Water Resource drainage – 3, All drainage flowing into the Bay of Bengal 270,00,000-
Regions Region except those at 2 & 3 – 4, All drainage flowing into the Brahamputra drainage – 3 3 5,50,00,000
1130,00,000
(6) Arabian Sea except Indus drainage – 5, Western Rajasthan
mostly ephemeral drainage – 6 The six Water Resource Regions (WPR)s are named as 1, 2,3,4,5,6

Each WRR has been divided into basins which constitute

individual big rivers like Krishna, Narmada, Chambal etc. or a Basins (2 ) The whole state is
combination of smaller ones which are contiguous to each drained mainly by two river systems
other, such as basin between Cauvery and Krishna have been 30,00,000-
Basins ( 34) viz. the Barak-Brahmaputra system 3D, 3C 95,00,000 300,00,000
divided into lower and upper basins or left bank and right bank of India and the Chindwin- Irrawaddy
basins as in the case of Brahamputra. Downstream of system of Myanmar (Burma).
Confluence with Subansiri to Bangladesh border (Brahmaputra
lower) & Upstream of Confluence with Subansiri (brahmaputra
upper) Basins are assigned letters as A, B, C………..Z.
Catchments are represented by numerals suffixed to basin code Catchments (2) 10,00,000-
Catchments (94) 3D2 , 3C2 30,00,000
as 1, 2, 3…….9 50,00,000
Sub-catchments Sub-catchments are indicated by suffixing alphabets to catchment Sub-catchments(7) 3D2A, 3D2B, 3C2C, 3D2C, 7,00,000 200,000-
code as A, B, C………Z. 3C2D, 3C2E, 3C2F 10,00,000
For example a watershed code would be like 4G4D3, 2B2A3 etc. 3D2Ax, 3D2Bx, 3C2Cx, 3D2Cx, 1,00,000
Watershed(3448) Watershed(33) 20,000-300,000
The watersheds codes are restricts to numerical 1 to 9 only. 3C2Dx, 3C2Ex, 3C2Fx
Subwatersheds designated by small English alphabets as a, b,
c………z which is suffixed to watershed code. The small alphabet
Sub watershed ‘e’ ‘i’ ‘l’ and ‘o’ are discarded in view of the cartographic Sub watershed(263) a 7000 5,000-9,000
consideration and to avoid its ambiguity with the sequence of
code. Hence, the total numbers of codes for subwatersheds is
restricted to 22.

1A2B3a1 stands for a national code of a microwatershed belongs

to Water Resource Region “1”, Basin “1A”, Catchment “1A2”, Microwatersheds (5329)
Microwatersheds Subcatchment “1A2B”, Watershed “1A2B3”, Subwatershed 2 1000 500-1,500
“1A2B3a” and Microwatershed “1A2B3a1”.
WATERSHED DEMARCATION AND SELECTION
Method: Separation of the major drainage area; principal drainage basin and sub-basin; watershed

CATEGORIES DELINEATION SYSTEM

Region (6) ………… 1.5-12 lakhs sq km 3 -- Brahamputra drainage
Basins (50) ………… 0.3- 3.0 lakhs sq km C--- -Barak-Brahmaputra system of India & the
Catchment …………. 0.1 - 0.5 lakhs sq km Chindwin- Irrawaddy system of Myanmar (Burma).
Subcatchment ……. 2000 - 10000 sq km 2--- -Catchments (2)
Watershed …………. 500 - 2000 sq km A---- -Sub-catchments(7)
Sub-watershed …….. 50 - 500 sq km 6---- -Watershed(33)
Mini Wateshed ……. 10 - 50 sq km c---- -Sub watershed(263)
Micro watershed …… 5 - 10 sq km
2----- -Microwatersheds (5329)

REGION 3C2A6c2a
BASIN
CATCHMENT
SUB-CATCHMENT
WATERSHED
SUB-WATERSHED
MINI WATERSHED
MICRO WATERSHED
5. Vegetation mapping
(NDVI Analysis)
5. Vegetation mapping (NDVI Analysis)
Prepare for meeting to discuss the prevailing drought like situation in the State
Sn Particula Sources
r
1 Data : Landsat 8 images ( https://earthexplorer.usgs.gov )
2 Date : 03 July 2019
3 Methods : NDVI (Band 3 - Band 4)/(Band 3 + Band 4) (
http://landsat.usgs.gov/best_spectral_bands_to_use.php)

4 Area : 18 zilla parishad of Imphal East

5 Software : ERDAS & ArcGIS

03-July-19
Legend
NDVI
Settlement Area
Value
Wetland High : 1
Agricultural Land Outline
Low : -1
Zilla_Parishad

Rivers
Supervised & Unsupervised
Classification
 Image Classification
Classification

Supervised Classification Unsupervised Classification

(Clustering)

No extensive prior knowledge required

Training site generated Unknown, but distinct, spectral classes are
/ spectral classes are generated
generated Limited control over classes and identities
No detailed information
supervised Classification
Supervised classification requires the
analyst to select training areas
where he/she knows what is on the The computer Software
ground and then digitize a polygon then creates...
within that area… (Supervised Classified
Spectral
Signatures Image)
Training Sites

Known Hardwood
Conifer Area Water
Conifer

Known
Deciduous Area

Known Water
Area

Multispectral Image
Unsupervised Classification

In unsupervised classification , Classification is not yet

Distinct, spectral classes are information until the analyst It is a simple process to regroup (recode)
Generated without taining determines the ground cover the clusters into meaningful information
site/Signature for each of the clusters… classes (the legend).

??? Water
Labels
??? Water Water

Water
??? Conifer Conifer

Conifer
??? Conifer
Hardwood

??? Hardwood Hardwood

??? Hardwood

Multispectral Image
Raster Image Classification using
ArCGIS
Sl. Steps Remarks

1 Download satellite image

2 Subset/Extraction by mask the desired area of Interest(AOI)

3 Create signature file for supervised classification. Training sample

manager(signature creation draw polygon of known site area)

4 Perform maximum likelihood classification(supervised

classification)
5 Area Calculation

6 Map Composition & presentation

6. Environmental
monitoring
 Environmental
monitoring
Remote sensing from airborne and space borne platforms provides valuable data for
mapping, environmental monitoring and disaster management. The integration of GIS, Remote Sensing and
modelling technologies applied to the field of environmental protection is an important tool
for management and decision making.

How is RS & GIS used in environmental management?

Below are some of the importance of GIS in environment. At its core, environmental
1. Environmental Impact Analysis (EIA) ... monitoring is designed to help us
2. Disaster Management(Drought and flood monitoring, Estimation of
understand the natural
flood damage, Zoning of Landslides hazard, Hazardous or toxic
facility siting etc) environment and protect it from any
3. Determination of land cover and land use. ... & planning, negative outcomes of human activity.
4. Management of Natural Resources. ... The process is an integral part of
5. Soil Mapping. ...
6. Wetland Mapping. environmental impact assessments
7. Rainfall mapping, and results can directly determine
8. Pollution studies. whether or not projects are given the all
9. Biodiversity characterization,
10.Wild life Habitat analysis
clear.
11.Management of watersheds, floodplains, wetlands, forests etc.
12.Monitoring of vegetation health (NDVI)
13.Change detection of vegetation areas
14.Groundwater modeling and contamination tracking
 REMOTE SENSING APPLICATIONS

The utilization of remotely sensed data for environmental monitoring has various advantages over
traditional approaches. Remote sensing provides a continuous monitoring and mapping, both spatial and
temporal, as opposed to a limited frequency point measurements. Therefore, the process of environmental
decision-making where environmental changes and impacts are being monitored at a regular basis can be
greatly enhanced using RS data and techniques.
If RS data is combined with information from other sources and ground observations the environmental
monitoring techniques may further be improved. Remotely sensed information can be used in many
environmental
Table applications.
1: Application of Remote Sensing in Environmental
Studies
Atmospheric Hydrological Parameters Natural and Man-made Hazards Land use Planning Environmental
Parameters Protection

– Aerosol – Floods ,Tsunami, Earthquakes, – Environmental Impact

– Water Quality landslides, – Land use/Land cover changes Assessment

– Fog – Soil Moisture Mapping and Risk Assessment – Urban Planning

– Sea Surface
– Black Carbon Temperature – Droughts – Urban Heat Islands

– Dust Storm – Clouds Optical – Epidemic Mapping – Agriculture

Properties
– Ozone and other – Snow Cover – Forest Fires – Forests( land & coastal)
trace gases
– Coastal zone monitoring
6. Google Earth
Google earth in
Geoinformatics Projects
1. Google earth Installation
2. Google earth programme & Interface
3. Place and Placemarks
4. Finding Places
5. Construction of Paths and polygons
6. Viewing Historical Imagery
7. Viewing Weather conditions
8. Viewing Terrain
9. Exporting KML to other vector format
10. Downloading or save satellite image of your AOI
Rainfall mapping
What is rainfall?
• According to the American Meteorological Society's Glossary of Meteorology, rainfall is the
amount of precipitation of any type (including the liquid equivalent of frozen hydrometeors such as hail
and snow); usually taken as that amount measured by means of a rain gauge in millimeters of liquid
water depth over a specified period of time. Rainfall is typically measured for a 24-hour period.
• A more accurate term would be precipitation or precipitation amount. However, the broad use of 'rainfall'
is firmly established in meteorology.
Rainfall =total amount of rain that falls in an area during a period of time
Data requirement for rainfall mapping: Average rainfall
1. Rain station location(lat/long) i.e. Point layers .Shp file
2. Rainfall data/precipitation layers.
3. Area boundaries

10 station data

Monthly wise
How to create a rainfall map based on different climate station and according
to methodology of 1. kriging. Or 2. IWD

1. Add “rainfall.xls” in Arcgis> sheet1$>

2. R/c on sheet1$ and click on “Display x y data” (Make sure you have lat(x)/long(y) for each stations)
3. Export in shape file i.e. R/c on sheet1$ and data>Export> save as “rainfall.shp “
4. Add District boundary
5. Arctoolbos>spatial analyst tools > kriging > or IWD

step 1. kriging. Or 2. IWD

4
step
5

step
1 step
2

step
3
One station data
10 station data
Monthly wise
Average rainfall

Precipitation
Monthly wise of different station