From Land Cover Map to Land Use Map: A Combined Pixel-Based and Object-Based Approach Using Multi-Temporal Landsat Data, a Random Forest Classifier, and Decision Rules

Abstract

It is essential to produce land cover maps and land use maps separately for different purposes. This study was conducted to generate such maps in Binh Duong province, Vietnam, using a novel combination of pixel-based and object-based classification techniques and geographic information system (GIS) analysis on multi-temporal Landsat images. Firstly, the connection between land cover and land use was identified; thereafter, the land cover map and land use function regions were extracted with a random forest classifier. Finally, a land use map was generated by combining the land cover map and the land use function regions in a set of decision rules. The results showed that land cover and land use were linked by spectral, spatial, and temporal characteristics, and this helped effectively convert the land cover map into a land use map. The final land cover map attained an overall accuracy (OA) = 93.86%, with producer’s accuracy (PA) and user’s accuracy (UA) of its classes ranging from 73.91% to 100%. Meanwhile, the final land use map achieved OA = 93.45%, and the UA and PA ranged from 84% to 100%. The study demonstrated that it is possible to create high-accuracy maps based entirely on free multi-temporal satellite imagery that promote the reproducibility and proactivity of the research as well as cost-efficiency and time savings.