Abstract

Landscape metrics are quantitative spatial measures that aid in the landscape spatial pattern analysis.  Understanding the role and capability of spatial metrics with the remote sensing data of various spatial resolutions for quantifying landscape patterns is crucial in assessing the potential of spatial metrics. The objective of this communication is to analyse the role of the landscape metrics using multi-resolution (spatial) remote sensing data for quantifying landscape patterns. Sensitivity and effectiveness in quantifying the spatial pattern components were analyzed considering part of Greater Bangalore as a sample space with 13 widely used landscape spatial metrics with the data from various sensors of differing resolutions for the month of January. The results indicate that all except three (cohesion, connect and shape) of the landscape metrics, were significantly dependent on the spatial resolution of the remote sensing data. This emphasises the consideration of appropriate spatial resolution while analyzing spatial patterns of the landscape, which provides a base for proper use of landscape metrics in the planning and management.

Keywords - Landscape, Spatial Metrics, Spatial Resolution, Remote Sensing data, Image Processing, Fragstat software.