Change Vector Analysis explained graphically

Change Vector Analysis explained graphically

January 19, 2016

We explained in our book “Remote Sensing and GIS for Ecologists – Using Open Source Software” among other change detection methods also the change vector analysis practically using the rasterCVA() command in the RStoolbox package, as well as outlined the approach graphically. During my last lecture on temporal and spatial remote sensing approaches I realized that the graphic needs some fixing as well as the RStoolbox function, moreover, certain explanations were missing. Hence, Benjamin Leutner adapted the rasterCVA() command and I tested it again and created new graphics explaining this approach for land cover change analysis.

 

land_cover_change_vector_NEW_Wegmann_Leutner_www_remote-sensing_eu_Ecology_Book

general Change Vector analysis explained. Graphic from the book “Remote Sensing and GIS for Ecologists

The first graph that is also in our book shows the general approach. Two bands for each year (e.g. the RED and NIR band, but also the Tassled Cap output can be used) are taken and the changes in pixel values between these two years are shown as angle and magnitude.

 

We realized some things were missing:  first the explanation what the angle actually means and second a link of actual results and the xy-graph.

change_vector_analysis_angle_magnitude_NEW_Wegmann_Leutner_www_remote-sensing_eu_and_BOOK_ecosens_org

Change Vector analysis explained on three change classes using the actual rasterCVA() output and band values.

In these new figures we show the actual results of the land cover change vector analysis using band 3 and 4 of Landsat (E)TM for the study region used in our book and three angles and magnitudes of pixels values between 1988 and 2011.

change_vector_Angle_explanation_Wegmann_Leutner_www_remote-sensing_eu_BOOK_RS_Ecology

Meaning of angle and magnitude values from rasterCVA() analysis in RStoolbox

In the second image we outline the meaning of the angle provided by rasterCVA() as well as the magnitude which is the euclidean distance of the pixel values between 1988 and 2011.

 

Please approach us if you have any suggestion how to improve it or if we introduced any errors.

Please update to the newest development version to access the updated RStoolbox functionality!

 

More updates and graphics provided on the books’ webpage.

you may also like:

New paper on the digital divide in Africa’s cities published

Our team of researchers from the Earth Observation Center (EOC) of the German Aerospace Center (DLR), the Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, and our Earth Observation Research Cluster (EORC) published a new study on the digital divide in Africa: A...

Successful fieldwork at the Naryn River in Kyrgyzstan

Successful fieldwork at the Naryn River in Kyrgyzstan

During the last week, EORC PI Florian Betz, EAGLE student Ariana Arguello-Cordero and FluBig team member Magdalena Lauermann from Catholic University Eichstätt-Ingolstadt have been on a field campaign in Kyrgyzstan to collect data for the FluBig project dedicated to...

EO4CAM Meeting in Oberpfaffenhofen

EO4CAM Meeting in Oberpfaffenhofen

On 5 June 2025, representatives from the Bavarian State Ministry of the Environment and Consumer Protection (StMUV), the Bavarian Environment Agency (LfU), and the German Aerospace Center (DLR) met at DLR Oberpfaffenhofen as part of the EO4CAM (Earth Observation...

EORC at the International Africa Festival 2025 in Würzburg

EORC at the International Africa Festival 2025 in Würzburg

If you know Würzburg, you certainly know the International Africa Festival, Europe's largest and oldest festival for African music and culture. For 15 years in a row now, the university tent has been an integral part of the festival. This is where the...