Description

The evaluation of satellite imagery over time can be used to identify trends and changes in an area. This type of time series analysis can be used to assess forest disturbance, land cover changes, vegetation health, and agricultural monitoring and expansion. NASA Earth observations can provide long-term records from Landsat and frequent imagery from sensors including Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS). This training led by NASA's Applied Remote Sensing Training program (ARSET) focuses on two tools, Application for Extracting and Exploring Analysis Ready Samples (AppEEARS) from NASA's Land Processes Distributed Active Archive Center (LP DAAC), and LandTrendr via Google Earth Engine (GEE). AppEEARS enables users to integrate point or polygon ground-based data with satellite imagery. The GEE implementation of LandTrendr enables users to analyze land cover dynamics, including short-term disturbances and long-term trends. Both sessions feature a lecture followed by time for hands-on exercises and questions.

Prerequisites

• Fundamentals of Remote Sensing
• Land Cover Classification with Satellite Imagery
• Install Google Chrome
  • For the Google Earth Engine exercise, Chrome should be used to make sure all features work
• Sign up for the Google Earth Engine Code Editor

Objectives

By the end of this training attendees will: 

• Become familiar with time series analysis techniques
• Understand how to evaluate time series of MODIS and Landsat data
• Learn how to integrate point data with satellite imagery using the AppEEARS web-based interface
• Learn the basics of the GEE implementation of LandTrendr including:
  • Generating annual land surface reflectance images
  • Plotting a time series of land surface reflectance
  • Creating a map of change detection, magnitude of change, duration of change event, and pre-change spectral values

Target Audience

This training is for advanced users of remote sensing data within local, regional, state, federal, and non-governmental organizations involved in land management and conservation efforts.

Course Format

• Two 2-hour parts

Sessions

Part 1: Introduction to Time Series Analysis and AppEEARS

Monday, April 15, 2019

This session will include a review of MODIS and Landsat, a review of change detection, an overview of time series analysis methods, and an AppEEARS hands-on exercise. 

Materials

• Part 1 Presentation Slides (PDF, 5.9 MB)
• Part 1 Exercise: AppEEARS (PDF, 1.8 MB)
• AppEEARS Data (Zip, 8 KB)
• Part 1 Q&A Transcript (PDF, 173 KB)

Materiales en Español

• Diapositivas de la Presentación de Parte 1 (PDF, 5.8 MB)
• Ejercicio de Parte 1: AppEEARS (PDF, 1.8 MB)

Part 2: LandTrendr Overview and Applications

Wednesday, April 17, 2019

This session will include a review of LandTrendr’s capabilities, an overview of how to interpret outputs from LandTrendr, and a hands-on LandTrendr exercise.

Materials

• Part 2 Presentation Slides (PDF, 5.6 MB)
• Part 2 Exercise: LandTrendr (PDF, 4.7 MB)
• Part 2 Q&A Transcript (PDF, 203 KB)

Homework

• Homework

Materiales en Español

• Diapositivas de la Presentación de Parte 2 (PDF, 6.0 MB)
• Ejercicio de Parte 2: LandTrendr (PDF, 4.7 MB)

Tarea

• Tarea