Thematic resolution influence in spatial analysis. An application to Land Use Cover Change (LUCC) modelling calibration

David García-Álvarez; Christopher D. Lloyd; Hedwig Van Delden; María Teresa Camacho Olmedo

doi:10.1016/j.compenvurbsys.2019.101375

Thematic resolution influence in spatial analysis. An application to Land Use Cover Change (LUCC) modelling calibration

David García-Álvarez^*, Christopher D. Lloyd, Hedwig Van Delden, María Teresa Camacho Olmedo

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

22 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Understanding the uncertainty of every spatial analysis is a required step to be aware of its usefulness and limitations. The chosen scale of analysis determines part of this uncertainty. Thematic resolution refers to the grain component of scale, regarding the thematic detail at which categorical maps are made. The higher the thematic detail or resolution, the larger the amount of information we have and the more complex the analysis will be. Through this paper, we aim to assess how the calibration of a Land Use Cover Change (LUCC) model differs according to variation of the thematic resolution of input Land Use Land Cover (LULC) maps. To achieve this objective, we have set up four modelling exercises in Metronamica, each one calibrated with maps at different thematic resolutions. Obtained simulations were compared in terms of allocation of changes, modelled quantities, explanatory power of the model and pattern of simulated changes. Results show that the model behaves differently depending on the selected thematic resolution. Lower thematic resolution led to simpler simulations that, however, get better validation scores. High thematic resolution maps introduce more complexity and information in the analysis. If not correctly managed, this complexity and information can translate to model noise, worsening the model performance. The paper ends with a proposal of criteria to follow to aid modellers and researchers in the selection of the proper thematic resolution for their analyses.

Original language	English
Article number	101375
Journal	Computers, Environment and Urban Systems
Volume	78
Early online date	03 Aug 2019
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compenvurbsys.2019.101375
Publication status	Published - Nov 2019

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This work has been supported by project SIGEOMOD_2020 · BIA2013-43462-P ( Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness and the Feder European Regional Development Fund ). The first author is also grateful to the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness and the European Social Fund (Ayudas para contratos predoctorales para la formación de doctores 2014 · BES-2014-068117) as well as to the University of Granada (Contratos Puente del Plan Propio de Investigación) for the funding of his research activity. We appretiatew the support of assistance given by the University of Liverpool. Finally, we also want to thank the two reviewers of this manuscript for their interest and insightful comments.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2019 Elsevier Ltd

Copyright:
Copyright 2019 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.

Keywords

Land Use Cover Change Modelling
Metronamica
Scale
Thematic resolution
Uncertainty

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Geography, Planning and Development
Ecological Modelling
General Environmental Science
Urban Studies

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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10.1016/j.compenvurbsys.2019.101375Licence: Unspecified

Cite this

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title = "Thematic resolution influence in spatial analysis. An application to Land Use Cover Change (LUCC) modelling calibration",

abstract = "Understanding the uncertainty of every spatial analysis is a required step to be aware of its usefulness and limitations. The chosen scale of analysis determines part of this uncertainty. Thematic resolution refers to the grain component of scale, regarding the thematic detail at which categorical maps are made. The higher the thematic detail or resolution, the larger the amount of information we have and the more complex the analysis will be. Through this paper, we aim to assess how the calibration of a Land Use Cover Change (LUCC) model differs according to variation of the thematic resolution of input Land Use Land Cover (LULC) maps. To achieve this objective, we have set up four modelling exercises in Metronamica, each one calibrated with maps at different thematic resolutions. Obtained simulations were compared in terms of allocation of changes, modelled quantities, explanatory power of the model and pattern of simulated changes. Results show that the model behaves differently depending on the selected thematic resolution. Lower thematic resolution led to simpler simulations that, however, get better validation scores. High thematic resolution maps introduce more complexity and information in the analysis. If not correctly managed, this complexity and information can translate to model noise, worsening the model performance. The paper ends with a proposal of criteria to follow to aid modellers and researchers in the selection of the proper thematic resolution for their analyses.",

keywords = "Land Use Cover Change Modelling, Metronamica, Scale, Thematic resolution, Uncertainty",

author = "David Garc{\'i}a-{\'A}lvarez and Lloyd, {Christopher D.} and {Van Delden}, Hedwig and {Camacho Olmedo}, {Mar{\'i}a Teresa}",

note = "Funding Information: This work has been supported by project SIGEOMOD_2020 · BIA2013-43462-P ( Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness and the Feder European Regional Development Fund ). The first author is also grateful to the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness and the European Social Fund (Ayudas para contratos predoctorales para la formaci{\'o}n de doctores 2014 · BES-2014-068117) as well as to the University of Granada (Contratos Puente del Plan Propio de Investigaci{\'o}n) for the funding of his research activity. We appretiatew the support of assistance given by the University of Liverpool. Finally, we also want to thank the two reviewers of this manuscript for their interest and insightful comments. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2019 Elsevier Ltd Copyright: Copyright 2019 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.",

year = "2019",

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doi = "10.1016/j.compenvurbsys.2019.101375",

language = "English",

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journal = "Computers, Environment and Urban Systems",

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AU - García-Álvarez, David

AU - Lloyd, Christopher D.

AU - Van Delden, Hedwig

AU - Camacho Olmedo, María Teresa

N1 - Funding Information: This work has been supported by project SIGEOMOD_2020 · BIA2013-43462-P ( Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness and the Feder European Regional Development Fund ). The first author is also grateful to the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness and the European Social Fund (Ayudas para contratos predoctorales para la formación de doctores 2014 · BES-2014-068117) as well as to the University of Granada (Contratos Puente del Plan Propio de Investigación) for the funding of his research activity. We appretiatew the support of assistance given by the University of Liverpool. Finally, we also want to thank the two reviewers of this manuscript for their interest and insightful comments. Publisher Copyright: © 2019 Elsevier Ltd Copyright: Copyright 2019 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.

PY - 2019/11

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N2 - Understanding the uncertainty of every spatial analysis is a required step to be aware of its usefulness and limitations. The chosen scale of analysis determines part of this uncertainty. Thematic resolution refers to the grain component of scale, regarding the thematic detail at which categorical maps are made. The higher the thematic detail or resolution, the larger the amount of information we have and the more complex the analysis will be. Through this paper, we aim to assess how the calibration of a Land Use Cover Change (LUCC) model differs according to variation of the thematic resolution of input Land Use Land Cover (LULC) maps. To achieve this objective, we have set up four modelling exercises in Metronamica, each one calibrated with maps at different thematic resolutions. Obtained simulations were compared in terms of allocation of changes, modelled quantities, explanatory power of the model and pattern of simulated changes. Results show that the model behaves differently depending on the selected thematic resolution. Lower thematic resolution led to simpler simulations that, however, get better validation scores. High thematic resolution maps introduce more complexity and information in the analysis. If not correctly managed, this complexity and information can translate to model noise, worsening the model performance. The paper ends with a proposal of criteria to follow to aid modellers and researchers in the selection of the proper thematic resolution for their analyses.

AB - Understanding the uncertainty of every spatial analysis is a required step to be aware of its usefulness and limitations. The chosen scale of analysis determines part of this uncertainty. Thematic resolution refers to the grain component of scale, regarding the thematic detail at which categorical maps are made. The higher the thematic detail or resolution, the larger the amount of information we have and the more complex the analysis will be. Through this paper, we aim to assess how the calibration of a Land Use Cover Change (LUCC) model differs according to variation of the thematic resolution of input Land Use Land Cover (LULC) maps. To achieve this objective, we have set up four modelling exercises in Metronamica, each one calibrated with maps at different thematic resolutions. Obtained simulations were compared in terms of allocation of changes, modelled quantities, explanatory power of the model and pattern of simulated changes. Results show that the model behaves differently depending on the selected thematic resolution. Lower thematic resolution led to simpler simulations that, however, get better validation scores. High thematic resolution maps introduce more complexity and information in the analysis. If not correctly managed, this complexity and information can translate to model noise, worsening the model performance. The paper ends with a proposal of criteria to follow to aid modellers and researchers in the selection of the proper thematic resolution for their analyses.

KW - Land Use Cover Change Modelling

KW - Metronamica

KW - Scale

KW - Thematic resolution

KW - Uncertainty

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DO - 10.1016/j.compenvurbsys.2019.101375

M3 - Article

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SN - 0198-9715

VL - 78

JO - Computers, Environment and Urban Systems

JF - Computers, Environment and Urban Systems

M1 - 101375

ER -

Thematic resolution influence in spatial analysis. An application to Land Use Cover Change (LUCC) modelling calibration

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

UN SDGs

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Cite this