Ultrahigh-resolution mapping of peatland microform using ground-based structure from motion with multiview stereo
Date
2016
Authors
Mercer, Jason
Westbrook, Cherie
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
American Geophysical Union (AGU) [Client Organization]; Wiley [Commercial Publisher]
ORCID
Type
Article
Degree Level
Abstract
Microform is important in understanding wetland functions and processes. But collecting imagery of and mapping the physical structure of peatlands is often expensive and requires specialized equipment. We assessed the utility of coupling computer vision-based structure from motion with multiview stereo photogrammetry (SfM-MVS) and ground-based photos to map peatland topography. The SfM-MVS technique was tested on an alpine peatland in Banff National Park, Canada, and guidance was provided on minimizing errors. We found that coupling SfM-MVS with ground-based photos taken with a point and shoot camera is a viable and competitive technique for generating ultrahigh-resolution elevations (i.e., <0.01 m, mean absolute error of 0.083 m). In evaluating 100+ viable SfM-MVS data collection and processing scenarios, vegetation was found to considerably influence accuracy. Vegetation class, when accounted for, reduced absolute error by as much as 50%. The logistic flexibility of ground-based SfM-MVS paired with its high resolution, low error, and low cost makes it a research area worth developing as well as a useful addition to the wetland scientists’ toolkit.
Description
This paper was published by AGU. Published 2016 American Geophysical Union.
Keywords
Peatland microform, Multiview stereo photogrammetry (SfM-MVS), Banff National Park, Canada, Ultrahigh-resolution mapping
Citation
Mercer, J. J., and C. J. Westbrook (2016), Ultrahigh-resolution mapping of peatland microform using groundbased structure from motion with multiview stereo, J. Geophys. Res. Biogeosci., 121, doi:10.1002/ 2016JG003478
Degree
Department
Program
Advisor
Committee
Part Of
item.page.relation.ispartofseries
DOI
10.1002/ 2016JG003478