Increasing attention is being given to the practicability of remote sensing and geographic information systems (GIS). Easily adaptable low-cost systems in these two rapidly advancing technologies have particular relevance for developing nations. Data from advanced satellite sensor sytems such as the SPOT High Resolution Visible (HRV) and the Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) have proven to be useful in topographic as well as thematic mapping, particularly for map revision. Based on the specific application, mapping systems have ranged from simple visual image interpretation lo automated digital image analysis systems with sophisticated classification schemes. Examples of topographic and thematic mapping using low-cost systems will be presented. GIS have extended the capability of low-cost digital systems that simply provided storage and map production capabilities, to systems providing spatial data analysis including the linkage of spatial data and spatially related attributes. Data capture is an esse...

Mapping applications for low-cost remote sensing and geographic information systems

Land use mapping with thematic Mapper imagery: A Canadian perspective

Remotely sensed data from satellites are being used operationally to maintain part of the federal national topographic map series (NTS). To date, the program has a demonstrated overall benefit of approximately $10 million. This paper reports the results of research into the applications of high resolution satellite data for database maintenance. SPOT-1 and/or Landsat TM data were analyzed for fourteen test areas across Canada. They were evaluated for the three main components of mapping: 1. detection, 2. identification, and 3. planimetric positioning. The primary limitation to using these data is the detection and identification of point features that are presented on the 1:50 000 scale maps. If this limitation is acceptable, then the high resolution SPOT and TM data can be used to expand the maintenance program and increase the realized benefits for the NTS.

SPOT vs Landsat TM for the maintenance of topographical databases

4 p. -- Comunicacion presentada en el Simposi Internacional de Botanica "Pius Font i Quer" celebrado en Lleida desde el 7 al 10 de septiembre de 1988

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Mapa de vegetación del massís del Boumort a escala 1:50.000 (a partir de la fotointerpretació d'imatges satèl·lit)

This paper decribes the challenge posed by Canada's size to the Canadian map making community. Discussed first is the map maintenance problem. This is followed by an outline of the application of LANDSAT to map updating, including results achieved to date. The paper closed with a look to the near term future including the use of SPOT imagery.

Jean R.R. Gauthier

Papers

Topographic mapping from satellite data: A Canadian point of view