Image Processing Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 17
Using DMSP OLS Imagery to Characterize
Urban Populations in Developed
and Developing Countries
Paul C. Sutton, Matthew J. Taylor, and Christopher D. Elvidge
Nighttime Satellite imagery shows great potential for mapping and monitoring many
human activities including: (1) population size, distribution, and growth, (2) urban
extent and rates of urbanization, (3) impervious surface, (4) energy consumption,
and (5) CO
2
emissions. Surprisingly the relatively coarse spectral, spatial, and temporal
resolution of the imagery proves to be an advantage rather than a disadvantage for
these applications.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this chapter, you should be able to:
Describe the nighttime satellite image products and the factors
which affect their quality
Explain the myriad applications of the nighttime imagery for
mapping numerous anthropogenic activities and processes
Speculate on the way in which the relatively coarse spatial reso-
lution of the DMSP OLS imagery can capture human activity
related to population density, levels of economic development,
and cultural practices
P.C. Sutton (
*
)
Department of Geography, University of Denver, Denver, CO 80208, USA
e-mail: psutton@du.edu
M.J. Taylor
Department of Geography, University of Denver, Boettcher Center West,
2050 E. Iliff Ave, Denver, CO 80208-0183, USA
e-mail: mtaylor7@du.edu
C.D. Elvidge
Earth Observation Group, NOAA National Geophysical Data Center,
325 Broadway, Boulder, CO 80305, USA
e-mail: chris.elvidge@noaa.gov
