Object-based image analysis for monitoring the impact of natural stressors in Alpine forest habitats

This is achieved by using an object-based image analysis (OBIA) methodology. Methods of regionalization integrated in the OBIA approach are applied to derive forest vegetation units which reflect the current condition of the forest. The subsequent developed classification scheme generates on the basis of the delineated units a forest map. Due to its complexity the process of class modelling involves a combination of a priori knowledge, concepts of soft classifiers as well as additional data. In order to monitor the spatio-temporal development of the identified forest disturbances, namely windfall areas and dead wood areas caused by the infestation of bark beetles, a change detection based on the concept of object fate analysis (OFA) will be provided. Once the monitoring system is established regular up-to-date information is made available in a costefficient manner to assess disturbances and related changes over time.