Accuracy Assessment of NOAA Coastal Change Analysis Program 2006-2010 Land Cover and Land Cover Change Data

Abstract

A new approach to locating accuracy assessment sample units was used to quantify 2010 land cover accuracy, in addition to being able to make statements about 2006-2010 land cover change mapping accuracy for National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (<small>NOAA</small>) Coastal Change Analysis Program (<small>C-CAP</small>) data. Three customized tiers of sampling strata were created, as discussed, to meet these goals. Stratified random sampling was employed in each stratum with a six out of nine pixel-homogeneity criteria (different from the final minimum mapping unit) required for each sampling unit. Accuracy was assessed for nine regions in the coastal United States with overall accuracy ranging from 82.3 percent to 85.6 percent. Binary change was mapped with 88.7 percent accuracy, with the largest error being errors of commission (71.2 percent user accuracy). This sampling design also allowed for the identification of 137 locations where true change was not mapped, allowing for statements to be made about missed change.