Remote Sensing Across the Great Lakes: Observations, Monitoring and Action

Training Seminars

Tuesday, April 4th will feature a series of training seminars to focus on skill development on various aspects of understanding, applying and managing remote sensing and geospatial information. These seminars are intended for individuals at a wide range of skill levels, from the novice to the more experience. Sign up now to take advantage of these important career-development opportunities!

Workshop fees are $75 per workshop.

Wetland Mapping Using Terrain-Based Derivatives and Multispectral Imagery
8 a.m. - Noon, McQuaid Room (3rd Floor)

Instructors:
Adam Hogg, Kent Todd, and Richard Mussakowski (Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources)

Seminar Description:
A landcover mapping initiative, titled SOLRIS (Southern Ontario Land Resources Information System), is currently being undertaken by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. The SOLRIS landcover dataset is being classified using multi-date, multi-spectral imagery as well as terrain data, in some instances. The product has been developed from a business-driven perspective where regional coverage of Ecological Land Classification (ELC) mapping is required for resource reporting, hydrologic studies and a variety of other provincial initiatives.

One of the key mapping units for SOLRIS is the wetland class. Wetlands are complex ecological systems which result from a number of environmental factors including hydrologic, geomorphic and biologic processes. As a result of this complexity, wetlands, as a single feature, are often heterogeneous making traditional image-based classification techniques for wetland mapping problematic. A wetland classification approach was developed that uses a combination of DEM terrain-based derivatives to account for variability in ecological characteristics.

Based on research and experience the authors have developed a two-step multi-software (i.e. GIS, statistical and image processing) technique, with an initial delineation of wetland boundaries using topographic data, followed by the separation of wetlands by type (i.e. marsh, swamp, fen, bog) using multispectral and radar imagery. Wetland/agricultural commission error is then mimimized using 3 date spring ETM NDVI change detection. This workshop focuses on techniques to classify wetlands, quantitatively assess mapping accuracy, and employing qualitative interpretation for calibration measures.

Hands-on training regarding DEM modelling, multi-date and resolution image interpretation and analysis, and statistical modelling will be conducted. Software packages that will be reviewed include: ArcMap, TauDEM, SPlus and eCognition.

Beyond 2006: Archiving, Managing, and Repurposing Your Geospatial Image Assets
8 a.m. - Noon, Keating Room (3rd Floor)

Instructor: Ryan Burley, Lizardtech

Seminar Description:
Since 1992, LizardTech has delivered state-of-the-art technology for managing and distributing massive, high-resolution digital content. Government and non-government organizations alike have benefited from the company's software products and technologies. LizardTech pioneered MrSID® (Multiresolution Seamless Image Database), a powerful wavelet-based image encoder, viewer, and file format, and sits on the Technical Committee of the Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) for the purpose of extending the capabilities of JPEG 2000 to geospatial applications, driving cross-platform interoperability and rapid Internet distribution for geospatial imagery

LizardTech just launched GeoExpress 6, which offers the benefits of both MrSID technology and ISO standard JPEG 2000 without any compromise in image quality. In addition to lossless encoding, which preserves images with pixel-for-pixel fidelity in a compressed format easily reusable in downstream applications, GeoExpress provides valuable image manipulation tools such as reprojection, color balancing and area of interest encoding.

Professional Airborne Digital Mapping Systems - An Overview
1 p.m. - 5 p.m., Eastman Room (2nd Floor)

Instructor: David Fuhr, Airborne Data Systems

Seminar Description:
This training seminar will cover multiple aspects of airborne digital mapping systems. Intended for users at all levels, the seminar will cover the capabilities of these systems and how they may be employed in various applications. Seminar attendees will gain an understanding of how to select digital mapping options that will best suit their intended use. Among specific topics to be covered are: digital camera history; camera resolution vs. ground sample distance; camera design and delivery results; spatial and spectral accuracy; multi-spectral data vs. pictures; requested resolution and how it effects file size and processing; and selected applications of airborne digital mapping systems.

Emerging Technologies - Lidar and Imaging Spectrometers
1 p.m. - 5 p.m., Gleason Room (2nd Floor)

Instructor: Dr. Anthony Vodacek, Rochester Institute of Technology Center for Imaging Science

Seminar Description:
Lidar (light detection and ranging) and imaging spectrometers are two advanced technologies that are increasingly important tools used in remote sensing. This training session will provide an overview of the development of technologies for current lidar and imaging spectrometers, use scenarios, processing algorithms and methods for data extraction, and future directions for further development of the technologies and techniques.

Lidar specific topics will include bathymetric lidar instrumentation, processing techniques, and application data as well as fluorescence lidar instrumentation, target signals, water Raman normalization, and application examples.

Specific topics on imaging spectrometers will include instrumentation types and calibration issues, data preprocessing for dimensionality reduction, signal to noise issues, sun glint removal, bathymetric and bottom type mapping, and methods for extraction of water quality parameters.

Introduction to Geography Markup Language for Geospatial Professionals
1 p.m. - 5 p.m., Fitzhugh Room (2nd Floor)

Instructor: Tim Wilson, Galdos Systems

Seminar Description:
This half-day course is designed to get you started regardless of your previous exposure to Geography Markup Language (GML). Except for the first three introductory topics, this is a technical course, which assumes previous exposure to XML technologies and a working knowledge of system modeling concepts (e.g. UML). Although it is not necessary, it would be advantageous to bring a laptop running Windows OS to experience first hand how GML is used. All course materials including sample data sets and GML processing tools will be provided on a CD. The first topic is non-technical and is intended to give a conceptual picture of what GML offers and the benefits it offers over similar technologies available today. The remainder of the course will provide some details on key XML technologies including, in particular, XML Schema, XLink and SVG. The course will focus specifically on how GML is used rather than on a detailed review of the specification.

Course Content:
GML
     -Why GML? Problem domain, creating new opportunities.
     -History of GML.
     -Applications of GML to remote sensing and how is it used today.
GML Model
     -Feature model
     -Observation model
     -Other models (topology, temporal, coverages)
     -GML feature relationships geolinks
Designing and building GML schemas
     -From UML models to GML code
     -GML patterns
     -GML schema encoding rules
     -GML Profiles
Map styling how to make maps (using SVG and KML) from GML data
Implementing GML data stores
     -Serving GML from existing data stores
     -The role of XLinks
Web Services
     -Web Feature Service
     -Web Map Service
     -Web Registry Service (Catalogue Service for the Web)
     -Web Processing Service

Course Materials:
The following course materials will be provided on a CD-ROM.

GML Presentation Slides
Sample GML Datasets and XSL transforms.
GML Best Practices Guide
GML 3.1 Specification
XML Editor, Parser and Validator
XSLT Processor