Lab VII Preface; Ground Truth Data for the WorldView Image Segmentation Lab

 

Updated 2/11/2015

 

Outline of Document (Click on links to jump to a section below):

The Study Area

Ground Truth Data

   Level3_LULC_Codes

   Forest Structure Composition Data Using PCQ Method

Garmin GPSmap60-C Intro

Garmin GPSmap60-C Basic Operation 

    Garmin GPSmap60-C Create Waypoint at a Ground Truth Site

    Garmin GPSmap60-C Data Download

    Reproject Data from WGS84 

    Move or Offset Points

    Add Coordinates to Attribute Table

    Delete Waypoints from Garmin

What if can't get my data to download from the Garmin? 

What to turn in when?

 

 

 

The Study Area: The study area for this lab is an area along the South Fork of the Nooksack River that includes the small town of Acme.  From Bellingham, head out the Mt Baker Highway (Rt. 542).  Just beyond the town of Deming, head south on Rt 9 and proceed ~6 or 7 miles towards the town of Acme.

Here are driving directions from mapquest (total distance from WWU to Acme is ~25 miles.

 

 

 Here is our scene:

 

 

As you can see, there are several large blocks of land that is open for public acess.

 

And here is a google maps shot of the area showing some of the other roads in the area. The DNR and county park land can be accessed from Mosquito Lake Rd and the WLT land can be accessed from Rothenbuhler Rd. And, while you are in the area, you definitely need to stop in the Acme Diner for some Acme Ice Cream!

 

 

 

 

Our scene is bounded by these UTM coordinates:

North 5,398,340

South 5,394,322

East 562,462

West 558,398

 

 

 

Ground Truth Data: We will be collecting two different types of ground truth data; categorical data using the Level III LULC codes below and some additional information for the forested areas (see below).

 

 

Level III LULC codes: Since we have a more detailed image we will try for a bit more detail in our classification.  In the previous exercise, we focused on the Level II LULC codes.  For this lab, we will try to use Level III codes where possible.  The complete list of LULC codes that I would like you to use is included below.  You may collect data for any of these cover types but I indicated the cover types that I would like you to focus on as you collect data. 

 

Priority LULC classes in red.

 

Anderson LULC Codes for Whatcom/Skagit Co. with brief descriptions

 

 

 

 

 

Target

Level I

Level II

Level III

 

Cover types

1

 

 

Urban or Build up lands

 

 

11

111

Residential- Single Family housing units

X

 

      11

112

Residential-Multifamily housing units

 

12

     120

Commercial and Services buildings (including educational buildings and farm buildings)

X

 

13

     130

Industrial buildings

X

 

14

141

Transportation, asphalt surface road or sidewalk

X

 

14

142

Transportation, cement surface road or sidewalk

X

 

14

143

Transportation, brick sidewalk

X

 

14

144

Transportation, gravel surface road

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

14

146

Utility-Right of Way

X

 

15

     150

Industrial and commercial complexes

 

 

16

     160

Mixed urban or build-up land

 

 

17

172

Shrubs, planting areas (not grass)

X

 

17

173

Artificial turf

 

17

174

Other Urban

 

 

 

 

 

 

2

 

 

Agricultural lands

 

 

21

211

 

Crops

 

X

 

21

212

Pasture (includes any large grassy area such as athletic fields)

X

 

22

220

Orchards, vineyards, nursury, berry fields

 

 

23

230

Confined feeding operation

 

 

24

240

Other Agricultural lands

 

 

 

 

 

 

3

 

 

Rangelands (natural)  We do not have any of these in our area

 

 

31

310

Hebaceous rangeland

 

 

32

320

Shrub and brush rangeland

 

 

33

330

Mixed rangeland

 

 

 

 

 

 

4

 

 

Forest lands

 

 

40

400

"Recent" clearcuts (since 1972) not a standard Anderson LULC code

X

 

41

410

Deciduous forest

X

 

42

420

Conifer forest

X

 

 

 

    (note that this could be further subdivided into age classes; e.g. young, mature, old-growth)

 

 

43

430

Mixed forest

X

 

 

 

 

 

5

 

 

Water

 

 

51

510

Streams and canals

X

 

52

520

Lakes

 

 

53

530

Reservoirs

 

 

54

540

Bays and estuaries

 

 

 

 

 

 

6

 

 

Wetlands

 

 

61

610

Forested wetlands

 

 

62

620

Nonforested wetlands

 

 

 

 

 

 

7

 

 

Barren lands

 

 

71

710

Dry salt flats

 

 

72

720

Beaches

 

 

73

730

Sandy areas other than beaches

 

 

74

740

Bare exposed rock

X

 

75

750

Strip mines, quarries and gravel pits

 

 

76

760

Transitional areas

 

 

77

770

Mixed barren land   (use this for bare exposed soil)

X

 

 

 

 

 

8

 

 

Tundra (Alpine)

 

 

81

810

Shrub and brush tundra

 

 

82

820

Herbaceous tundra

 

 

83

830

Bare ground tundra

 

 

84

840

Wet tundra

 

 

85

850

Mixed tundra

 

 

 

 

 

 

9

 

 

Perenial snow and ice

 

 

91

910

Perenial snowfield

 

 

92

920

Glacier

 

 

 

Forest structure and composition: For the forested areas (LULC codes 400, 410, 420, 430) we will collect some information on forest structure and composition using the Point-centered Quarter method.  More information that you’d ever want to know about this method is available here: PCQM.pdf (optional reading).

 

You should print out a copy of the data sheet to take out into the field with you (tree_data_entry_table.xls.).

 

The basic idea behind PCQ sampling is quite simple.  You randomly select a point in the forest.  Using a compass, you divide the area around this point into four quadrants (northeast, southeast, southwest, northwest).  Within each quadrant, you then locate the tree that is nearest to the point center.  For this tree, you then record three pieces of information:

 

1.      Distance to the tree in meters

2.      Diameter of the tree at breast height (DBH) in centimenters.  Note that “breast height” is defined as 1.37m above the ground on the uphill side of the tree. Note that, in order to be counted, a tree must be at least 10 cm DBH at 1.37m above the ground.

3.      Species of the tree.

 

  At each point, this means that you will be recording data for only FOUR trees.  The arrangement might look something like this;

 

pcq1.jpg

 

 

 

It is critical that you use a compass and tape measure to accurately lay out the position of each point relative to the plot center.  As indicated in this figure, you will use a GPS unit to log a waypoint for the plot center.  See the below for instructions on how to do this using the Garmin GPSmap60 units.  Note that you will need to set the unit to AVERAGE MULTIPLE POSTIONS to increase your accuracy.  THIS IS CRITICAL!  The coordinates for our ground truth points will need to be accurate to within a meter or two!  Unlike our previous labs, we will be using the NAD83 datum, not the NAD27 datum.  You should record the coordinates of your plot center in the field.  Recall that this is an instantaneous position.  You will be using the download instructions below to download the far more accurate averaged position.  You can use the position that you recorded in the field for a reality check and as a backup in case you run into problems with the download.

 

 

 

Try to collect data for as many plots as you can.  The more data we have the better.  When you get back to the lab, enter your data into this datasheet: tree_data_entry_table.xls.  See the instructions below on downloading your GPS position.  These are essentially the same as in the previous lab except you will be working with the NAD83 datum rather than NAD27 as in the previous lab.

 

 

 

 

 

Garmin GPSmap60:   Although you can make the Garmins display coordinates in UTM NAD83 (or NAD27), these coordinates are actually stored and download using the WGS84 datum.  This means that, back in the lab, we will need to convert your coordinates from WGS84 to UTM NAD83 (more on this below).

 

Basic Operations For the Garmin GPSmap60-C GPS Receiver

(These instructions are modified from a document prepared by Stefan Freelan: J:\saldata\tut_GPS\Garmin_GPSmap60\3_GPSmap60_howto.doc)

 

Turn Unit On       - Press & hold Power button (top of unit next to antenna)

                             - Unit comes on and searches for satellites (wait…)

                             - Opens to Satellite screen with the Location and

                                      Accuracy Estimate at the of the screen

 

Turn Unit Off       - Press and hold the Power button (top of unit)

 

Switch Screens   - Press Page button (on right side) to switch between the

                             5 Main GPSmap60 Screens:

                                      Satellite – skyplot of satellites & satellite strength

                                      Trip Computer – Info on speed, bearing, ETA, etc.

                                      Map – w/waypoints & cities, can pan/zoom

                                      Compass – w/info on speed, ETA, etc.

                                      Main Menu – settings, manage tracks, etc.

                             * Note: the GPSmap60-CS also has an Altimeter screen

 

Navigating within the GPSmap60 Screens and Selecting Items

                             - Use the Rocker Button (large, center button w/arrows)

                                      to “navigate” Up-Down-Left-Right to highlight items

                             - Press ENTR (Enter) button to select a highlighted item

 

Zoom In/Out       (on the Map screen)

                             - Use the OUT button (upper right) to Zoom Out

                             - Use the IN button (upper left) to Zoom In

 

Backlight On/Off - With unit on, press Power button (top) once briefly

- Use Rocker button to adjust up/down as desired

- Backlight goes off in 15 seconds (or press ENTR)

 

Change Units (Note that this step is critical!!!)       

- Main Menu screen

                             - Select Setup, select Units

                             - Adjust Position Format to:      UTM UPS

                             - Adjust Map Datum to: NAD83 CONUS

                             - Adjust Distance to: Meters

 

Time of Day         - Bottom of Main Menu screen

 

Check Battery     - Top of any screen

 

Set Battery Type - Main Menu screen – Select Setup – Select System

                             - Under Battery Type, choose either:

Alkaline (disposable) or

NiMH (Nickel Metal Hydride – Rechargeable)

 

Change Battery   - Lift metal loop on back of unit

                             - Turn loop counterclockwise 1/4 turn

                             - Remove back cover, replace batteries (2 AA)

                             - Replace cover, turn loop clockwise 1/4 turn and fold flat

 

* * * Turn Unit OFF when not in use to save battery * * *

 

 

 

How to CREATE a Waypoint

 

Press Mark button, then from the Mark Waypoint screen:

 

          Enter a Name for the new waypoint (this is your site ID#; you might consider using your initials and a #, ex. DW1)

                             - Use Rocker & ENTR buttons to highlight the name at the

                                      top of screen (by default a number 001, 002, etc)

                             - Use Rocker & ENTR buttons to select letters (to ‘type’)

                             - When done entering letters, highlight OK on the

                                      keyboard & press ENTR to close keyboard screen

 

          Choose an Icon to represent the new waypoint on the map (Optional)

                             - Use Rocker & ENTR buttons to select the marker

symbol (by default a flag, next to name)

                             - Use Rocker & ENTR buttons to select an icon

 

Average multiple positions for better accuracy (Critical for our application!!!)

                   - Use Rocker & ENTR buttons to select AVG

                   - Wait… (counter = # of positions to be averaged) (suggest you go for at least 20 positions)

                   - Use Rocker & ENTR buttons to select SAVE

                   - Make sure you hit OK (see below) to Record Waypoint

 

Record Waypoint - (this is not Optional and must be done in addition to any of the Optional steps above)

- Use Rocker & ENTR buttons to select OK at the bottom of the Mark Waypoint screen

 

 

 

 

Data Downloading Back in the Lab: As with the previous data collection effort, it will be critical for you to overlay each of your points on our image to insure proper alignment and to move any points if needed.  The following instructions (edited from those created by Stefan Freelan: J:\saldata\tut_GPS\Garmin_GPSmap60\4_GPSmap60_to_ArcMap_transfer.doc) will walk you through this process.

 

Transferring GPS Data from the Garmin GPSmap60 to ArcMap

 

NOTE: These instructions assume a certain degree of basic Windows operating system fluency (coping files, creating folders, opening multiple applications, etc). If you do not understand the instructions, please ask for help.

 

These instructions are specific to the Spatial Analysis Lab (AH-16) computers and are customized for local (Bellingham, WA) data and coordinate systems (UTM NAD27). Adaptations will need to be made for other computers and/or other areas.

 

You will need a Garmin GPSmap60-PC connection cable (hooks into the back of the GPS unit and the PC), found on most SAL PC’s.

 

OPTIONAL: See also J:\saldata\tut_GPS\Garmin_GPSmap60\Using_DNRGarmin.doc for an alternative method of downloading data…

 

1. Connect the Cable

Connect the cable (from the back of the computer) to the GPSmap60 (open the large rubber cover at top, right hand side of the back of the unit and plug in the 4-prong connector). Note: the cable only fits one way into the GPSmap60.

DO NOT FORCE IT – line up the small notch of the plug with the guide.

 

2. Turn GPSmap60 ON (if it’s not already On)

  • Press and hold Power button on the top of the unit (next to antenna).
  • If/when prompted (because you are indoors), choose ‘Use with GPS off’

 

3. Open a Pre-made ArcMap project file

  • Open Windows Explorer or My Computer
  • Browse to the J:\saldata\Esci442\worldview2012  folder
  • Double-click on acme.mxd to open a pre-made ArcMap project (our Acme image tweaked a bit to display properly in Arc)
  • If necessary, right-click in the white space around (outside of) the map page and choose Zoom Whole Page

 

4. In ArcMap Add the GPSi Toolbar

  • Click on the View menu and choose Toolbars
  • Check the GPSi (not the GPS) toolbar option

4. Open DNRgarmin & Download GPS data  ((added 1/10/12 GPSi is no longer available; DNRgarmin works better))

          (In AH-16: Start / All Programs / DNRGarmin / DNRGarmin)

  • If prompted to use the default projection, choose NO
  • From File menu, choose Set Projection

          Datum = WGS 84

          Projection = No Projection   /   OK

  • Check/choose the correct connection port:
    • From the GPS menu, choose Set Port
    • It should be on Port 1 (or optionally USB if you are using a USB cord and have the correct USB drivers installed on your computer)

 

 

 

5. Download Waypoints (or Tracks) from the GPSmap60

  • From the GPS Interface toolbar, click the dropdown arrow and choose Waypoints (or Tracks) and click on Download…
  • In the Download… dialog box choose the Waypoints (or Tracks) that you wish to download (there is an All button on the right) and click on Save.
  • In the Save… dialog box browse to the C:\temp\ folder (or your desired location), enter a name for your new GIS shapefile and click Save
  • Repeat for Tracks and/or other Waypoints as desired…

5. From the Waypoint menu choose Download (wait for data to download…)

  • From the File menu, choose Save To File…
    • Browse to desired location (C:/temp or U:/) and enter a name
    • For Save as type: use ArcView Shapefile (Unprojected) (*.shp)

     (Note options to save to text file, dbase file or kml file…)

    • Click Save
  • Repeat Download / Save as File process for Tracks (from the Track menu)
    •  Save as type: use ArcView Shapefile (Unprojected) (*.shp)
    •  For Output Shape choose Line when prompted in the next screen
  • When done, turn the GPSmap60 OFF and remove the cable

 

6. View your data in ArcMap

Your GPS data should be added automatically to the existing ArcMap project. NOTE: If your new shapefile does not show up in your Table of Contents (the list of data layers on the left side of the screen), click on the Source tab at the bottom of the Table of Contents, then click on the Display tab to refresh the list. 

 

No reprojection should be necessary because both the image and your data are in WGS84

6a. Reproject from WGS84 to NAD83: In ArcToolbox, go to Data Management Tools-Projections and Transformations-Feature-Project

          Input Dataset or Feature Class: shapefile with your points

          Input Coordinate System: WGS84 (this is the default)

          Output Dataset or Feature Class: shapefile_NAD83

          Output Coordinate System: click on the button to bring up the Spatial Reference Properties Dialog box- click Select.

Navigate to Projecied Coordinate Systems-UTM-NAD83-NAD 83 UTM Zone 10N.prj  Click Add

Click Apply-OK

          Geographic Transformation (optional): (not really optional!!!): Select NAD83 to WGS84

          Click OK.  A Project Dialog box will open and inform you that the transformation is complete but you will get a Datum conflict between map and output warning message.  Ignore this.

 

6b. Reproject from NAD83 to NAD27: Again, In ArcToolbox, go to Data Management Tools-Projections and Transformations-Feature-Project

          Input Dataset or Feature Class: shapefile_NAD83 with your points

          Input Coordinate System: NAD1983_UTM_Zone_10N (this is the default)

          Output Dataset or Feature Class: shapefile_NAD27

Output Coordinate System: click on the button to bring up the Spatial Reference Properties Dialog box- click Select.

Navigate to Projecied Coordinate Systems-UTM-NAD27-NAD 27 UTM Zone 10N.prj Click Add

Click Apply-OK

          Geographic Transformation (optional): (not really optional!!!): Select NAD_1927_To_NAD1983_NADCON

          Click OK.  A Project Dialog box will open and inform you that the transformation is complete

 

Your points should now line up much better!

 

6c. Moving/Offsetting points: If one of your points does not line up perfectly or if you want to offset one of your points (e.g. you logged a position adjacent to a building but you want your point to be centered on the roof of the building), you can change this.  Go to the Editor dropdown and select Start Editing start_edit.  Then left click once on a point to select it, then Left click, hold and drag the point to the correct location.  When you are finished editing all points, go to Editor-Save Edits, then Editor-Stop Editing.

 

6d. Adding coordinates to the Attribute table: If you open the attribute table for your points, you will note that it does not include the coordinates for your points.  To add this information to the attribute table, go to the ArcToolbox and select WWU Tools-Add XY Coordinates.  Then simply specify your points file as the Input Feature and click OK.  Reopen your attribute table and the coordinates should be there.  At this point, all you need to do is export the attribute table and save it as a .dbf file.  You can open this in Excel to double check it and then e-mail it to me.

 

                                               

Other stuff you can do in Arc:

 

Improve the Symbology for your GPS data

  • Double-click on the name of your new waypoints (or tracks) shapefile in the Table of Contents to open the Layer Properties.
  • Click on the Symbology tab.
  • Click the Import button.
  • Click the drop-down arrow next to the Layer box and choose Point (or TRACK, as appropriate)
  • Click Ok. Click Ok again.

 

Explore your data using ArcMap

  • You can turn your GPS data layers ON or OFF (so they are visible or not) by checking the box next to the name in the Table of Contents
  • Use the Pan tool (an open hand icon) to move left/right
  • Zoom in/out using the Zoom tools (the icon w/four arrows pointing in for Zoom In, icon w/four arrows pointing out for Zoom Out)
  • You can use the Measurement Tool (the icon that looks like a ruler) to determine how far (in meters) your GPS data varies from the photo
  • Click on a waypoint or track using the Identify tool (the i in a circle) to get the name, elevation, etc. of a waypoint or track

 

OPTIONAL: Print your map

  • From the File Menu, choose Print

 

OPTIONAL: Create and save a .jpeg graphic of your map

  • From the File Menu, choose Export Map
  • In the List Files of Type box (lower left) scroll down and choose .jpeg
  • Browse to your U:\ drive, C:\temp\ or desired location to save your file
  • Enter a name in the File Name box
  • Click OK to export your map to a .jpeg graphic (this graphic could be inserted into a PowerPoint slideshow, a Word document, a web page, etc.)

 

7. OPTIONAL: Save your Map (to your U:\ drive)

  • Save your .mxd (File / Save As) to your U:\ drive or desired location
  • Close ArcMap (File / Close)

 

8. REQUESTED: Please Remove Files from the GPSmap60

 

Delete Waypoints:     - Press the FIND button and select Waypoints

                             - Press the MENU button

                             - Use Rocker & ENTR to select Delete

                             - Choose All Symbols & press ENTR

                             - Use Rocker to highlight Yes & press ENTR

 

Delete Active Track:  - On the Tracks screen, use the Rocker to highlight Clear

- Press ENTR

                             - Use Rocker to highlight Yes & press ENTR

 

Delete Saved Tracks: - On the Tracks screen, press the MENU button

                             - Use Rocker & ENTR to select Delete All Saved

                             - Use Rocker to highlight Yes & press ENTR

 

***End of Stefan’s instructions***

 

 

What if I can’t get my points downloaded from the Garmin?  If you can’t get the download to work, there is another option, assuming that you have good field notes.  In this case, simply use the coordinates that you wrote down in the field.  Note that is will work ONLY if you set the unit to record and display coordinates in NAD83.  Also, this is an instantaneous position so it will not be as accurate.  You will need to check these coordinates in Arc.  To do so, Go to Excel and enter your data in a format that looks like this:

 

SiteID

Ycoord

Xcoord

LULC-Level3

DW1

5397690

537909

212

DW2

5397730

537857

410

 

NOTE THAT THERE ARE NO SPACES IN THE COLUMN HEADER NAMES AND NO SYMBOLS!!!  Now go to File-Save As-Other Formats and save it as a “CVS (comma delimited)” file.  This is a comma-delimited text file.

 

Then Open a Pre-made ArcMap project file

  • Open Windows Explorer or My Computer
  • Browse to the J:\saldata\Esci442\lidar\arcgrids  folder
  • Double-click on wwu.mxd to open a pre-made ArcMap   project (a simple map of the south WWU campus)

 

In the Arc main toolbar, go to Tools-Add XY Data.  In the Choose a table…. box, navigate to your .cvs file and then select the appropriate columns for the X and Y data values.  Select OK and your points should plot on the image.  Since you recorded these values directly from the Garmin in UTM NAD83, they should plot properly with no need to reproject.  You may still need to Move or offset these points.  If so, the easiest way to do this is simply to move your cursor to the correct location on the screen and note the UTM coordinates for this location at the very bottom of the Arc window.  Then go back into Excel and enter these values into the correct column/row. 

 

 

 

What To Turn In When:  After you have checked all of your points, turn them in to me no later than Wednesday, 2/21 at noon.  I need time to check all of your data prior to lab on Wednesday.  You should email your data in an excel file that is a copy of:  tree_data_entry_table.xlsx.  Note that as soon as you enter the position of the plot center, I have set up formula that will calculate the position of each point.

 

If you have any problems or questions, don’t hesitate to ask for help.

 

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