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The purpose of this thesis is to identify an automated process for image analysis
using vector data alongside a spectral analysis. The ability to extract water areas,
in particular lakes or ponds with a large concentration of pixels of similar values,
and establish a baseline value to calibrate the image key by would allow the user
to target specific areas across successive runs of photography. This could be
completed automatically using GDAL extract and returning the results of a
histogram analysis.
In order to gain a visual impression of the location of the main water bodies in the
sample image the green and blue colour bands were mapped into the red, allowing
the definition between the (relatively) monotone water and the remainder of the
image.
Figure 5: Water Area Image Modification
The next part of the study involved taking separate sample areas from around the
image and comparing them to the spectral values associated with water. The
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