Cleber Gonzales de Oliveira

An Assessment of the Altimetric Information Derived from Spaceborne SAR (RADARSAT-1, SRTM3) and Optical (ASTER) Data for Cartographic Application in the Amazon Region

Difficulties in acquiring a complete aerial photography coverage on a regular basis in the Brazilian Amazon due to adverse environmental conditions affect the quality of the national topographic database. As a consequence, topographic information is still poor, and when available needs to be up-dated or re-mapped. In this research, altimetric information derived from RADARSAT-1 (Fine and Standard modes), SRTM3 (3 arc-seconds) and ASTER (band 3N-3B) was evaluated for topographic mapping in two sites located in the region: Serra dos Carajás (mountainous relief) and Tapajós National Forest (flat terrain). The quality of the information produced from Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) was evaluated regarding field altimetric measurements. Precise topographic field information acquired from Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) was used as Ground Control Points (GCPs) for the modeling of the stereoscopic DEMs (RADARSAT-1, ASTER) and as Independent Check Points (ICPs) for the calculation of accuracies of the products. The accuracies were estimated by comparison of the DEMs values and real elevation values given by ICPs. The analysis was performed following two approaches: (1) the use of Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) for the overall classification of the DEMs considering the Brazilian Map Accuracy Standards (PEC) limits and, (2) calculations of trend analysis and accuracy based on a methodology that takes into account computed discrepancies and standard deviations. The investigation has shown that for flat relief, the altimetric accuracy of SRTM3 and Fine RADARSAT-1 DEMs fulfilled the PEC requirements for 1:100,000 A Class Map. However, for mountainous terrain, only the altimetry of SRTM3 and ASTER fulfilled these requirements. In addition, the performance of ASTER was slightly superior to SRTM3. However it is important to consider the difficulties in the acquisition of good stereo-pairs with optical data in the Amazon and the additional cost (GCPs) to produce ASTER DEMs. Despite showing systematic errors, the findings justify the usage of SRTM3 as a primary elevation source for semi-detailed topographic mapping in the region. It is suggested a combination of altimetry derived for SRTM3 and planimetry extracted from high-resolution SAR (ALOS/PALSAR, TerraSAR-X, RADARSAT-2) or if available optical data for semi-detailed topographic mapping programs in the Brazilian Amazon, where terrain information is seldom available or presents low quality.

Operational use of RADARSAT-1 fine stereoscopy integrated with Landsat-5 thematic mapper data for cartographic application in the Brazilian Amazon

The feasibility of topographic mapping through orbital remote sensing was investigated for the Brazilian Amazon. The study area is in a region of low topographic terrain within the Tapajós National Forest. Two kinds of radargrammetric digital elevation models (DEMs), one based solely on satellite ancillary data and one calibrated with ground control points (GCPs), were produced based on a fine RADARSAT-1 stereopair (F2/F5) and evaluated regarding accurate field planialtimetric measurements. The geometric modeling for the DEM extractions was based on the RADARSAT-1 specific model from OESE software (PCI Geomatics Inc.). The planimetric features were extracted from integrated fine and Landsat thematic mapper (TM) products. Precise topographic field information from a differential global positioning system (DGPS) was used as GCPs for the modeling of the DEMs and for the orthorectification of the synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and optical data and as independent check points (ICPs) for the calculation of planialtimetric accuracies of the products. The investigation has shown that the accuracy of the topographic map met the requirements for a 1 : 100 000 scale map (class A) as requested by the Brazilian Standard for Cartographic Accuracy. The approach is a realistic alternative for topographic mapping at a semi-detailed scale in similar environments of the Amazon, where terrain information is seldom available or is of low quality.

Evaluating the quality of the Digital Elevation Models produced from ASTER stereoscopy for topographic mapping in the Brazilian Amazon Region

Brazilian Amazon is a vast territory rich in natural renewable and non-renewable resources. Due to the adverse environmental condition (rain, cloud, dense vegetation) and difficult access, topographic information is still poor, and when available needs to be up-dated or remapped. In this paper, the feasibility of using elevation generated from orbital ASTER- stereo-pairs images for topographic mapping was investigated for the mountainous relief in the Serra dos Carajas, Para. The quality of information derived from these optical images was evaluated regarding field altimetric measurements. Precise topographic field information acquired from Global Positioning System (GPS) was used as Ground Control Points (GCPs) for the modeling of the stereoscopic Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) and as Independent Check Points (ICPs) for the calculation of elevation accuracies. The analysis was performed following two approaches: (1) the use of Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) and (2) calculations of trend analysis and accuracy. The investigation has shown that the altimetric accuracy from ASTER fulfilled the Brazilian Map Accuracy Standards elevation requirements for 1:100,000 A Class. In addition, ASTER can provide up-dated planimetric information that is also necessary for cartographic production. Thus, when the environment condition allows the acquisition of stereo-pairs, the use of ASTER can be considered an alternative for semi-detailed topographic mapping in similar environments of the Brazilian Amazon.

Effect of microtopography on RADARSAT-1 and PALSAR backscattering from rock alteration products in the Curaçá Valley, Brazil.

This paper addresses the influence of microtopography (root mean square height HRMS and correlation length LC) on RADARSAT-1 and phased array L-band synthetic aperture radar (PALSAR) backscattering coefficient (σ0) values from distinct rock alteration products of the Cu-rich district of Curaçá Valley, northeastern Brazil. The area is characterized by a semiarid environment, flat topography with rock outcrops and residual soils, and low to moderate Caatinga vegetation cover. The lithologies consist of Archean gneisses and granulites interbedded with mafic-ultramafic intrusives and upper Proterozoic marbles, schists, and phyllites. The images were acquired under distinct look azimuth and incidence angles and corresponded to four RADARSAT-1 images (F2, S2, and S7 ascending and S7 descending) and one PALSAR image (fine beam dual (FBD) descending). The research was based on the use of linear regression analyses, which showed a weak to moderate linear correlation between σ0 and HRMS and LC for both SAR data. HRMS was the most important microtopographic parameter influencing σ0, whereas LC played a secondary role. Regarding RADARSAT-1, the highest regression coefficient (R2) values were obtained for shallower incidence angles (S7), and this dependence increased from steeper to shallower incidence, regardless of changes in the look azimuth. For PALSAR, R2 was slightly higher than that for RADARSAT-1 and was related to cross-polarization. The investigation showed that backscattering for synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data from both RADARSAT-1 and PALSAR is not modulated in a predominant manner by the microtopographic variations of the geological surfaces.

Evaluation of the altimetry from SRTM-3 and planimetry from high-resolution PALSAR FBD data for semi-detailed topographic mapping in the Amazon Region

The Brazilian Amazon has a deficit of 35% of coverage regarding topographic mapping at semi-detailed (1:100,000) scale. This paper presents an alternative to overcome this scenario using a combination of planialtimetric information from two orbital SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) missions. The altimetry was acquired from Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM), while the planimetry was provided from Fine Beam Dual (FBD) images of the Phased Array L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (PALSAR) sensor. The research was carried out in the mountainous area of the Serra dos Carajás (Pará State), located on the Amazon region. The quality of the orbital topographic information was evaluated regarding precise planialtimetric measurements acquired from Global Positioning System (GPS) field campaigns. The evaluations were performed following two approaches: (1) the use of Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) and (2) tendency and precision hypothesis tests. The investigation has shown that the planialtimetric quality of the orbital products fulfilled the Brazilian Map Accuracy Standards requirements for 1:100,000 A Class map. Thus, the use of combination of information provided by PALSAR and SRTM-3 data can be considered a promising alternative for production and update of semi-detailed topographic mapping in similar environments of the Amazon region, where topographic information is lacking or presents low quality.

Elevation accuracy assessment of a DSM and DTM generated for an urban area from the ALTM 2025 airborne laser scanning sensor

The assessment of elevation accuracy of digital elevation models (DEM), which comprise digital surface models (DSM) and digital terrain models (DTM), has become a recurrent theme in the scientific literature in the latest decades. Accuracy tests are specifically based on a 10% level of statistical significance and they comprise both trend and precision analyses. Both tests were applied to data obtained from an air survey accomplished with the ALTM 2025 laser scanning sensor for a central sector of Uberlandia city, Brazil. The statistical tests for the DSM and DTM demonstrated that the mean elevation error respectively lay around 0,41 m and 0,48 m, and the RMSE about 0,48 m and 0,47 m. In both cases, the presence of trend in the H direction was observed, revealing systematic influences in this component. This trend was further removed by means of algebraic manipulations. The precision analysis revealed that the DSM and DTM were compatible with a 1∶5,000 scale and were up to the standard of the highest cartographic accuracy category (class A - PEC).

An assessment of the use of RADARSAT-2 for detailed topographic mapping in a tropical semiarid terrain of Brazil

In this paper, the feasibility of using planialtimetric information derived from RADARSAT-2 (RST-2) ultra-fine (UF) stereo pairs and fine quad-pol (FQP) images for detailed topographic mapping was investigated for a semiarid terrain in the Curaçá Valley, northeast of Brazil. Precise topographic field information acquired from a global positioning system was used for ground control points for the modeling of the stereoscopic digital surface models (DSMs), ortho-images, and as independent check points for the calculation of planialtimetric accuracies. The analysis was performed with the following two approaches: (i) the use of root mean square error for the overall classification of the DSMs and ortho-images considering the Brazilian Map Accuracy Standard limits, and (ii) calculations of systematic errors (bias) and accuracy based on a methodology that takes into account computed discrepancies and standard deviations. Thematic information was extracted from FQP data through the use of an unsupervised terrain and land-use classification scheme based on the Freeman–Durden decomposition and the Wishart classifier. The investigation showed that the planialtimetric accuracies of UF DSMs and ortho-images and the thematic information of the FQP data fulfilled the requirements compatible to detailed topographic mapping (1:50000). Thus, the use of RST-2 data can be considered a real alternative as a primary source for detailed topographic mapping programs in similar environments of Brazil, where terrain information is limited or of a poor quality.