Imagery Needs Assessment
SUMMARY
This handout includes guidelines to consider in projects which require the use of imagery.
INTRODUCTION
The Cadasta Platform and mobile application rely on the use of aerial photographs to help collect and display location data. A standard set of photographs for use are available on the Platform from a variety of archived satellite images which range in accuracy and resolution. However, the information you need from aerial photographs will depend on the type of project you are conducting and the exact use of the imagery in your project. For example, a project which collects information in the field and wants to have aerial imagery in the background to verify the location is generally correct is very different from a project which needs to create parcel information for legal purposes from imagery. The guidelines below introduce some questions which project managers should ask themselves when designing the project and offer recommended imagery sources based on the range of answers.
GUIDING QUESTIONS AND RECOMMENDED IMAGERY
1. Does your project include any required accuracy for the geometry collected by your team?
- YES – consider procuring aerial imagery from manned airplanes or drones
b. NO – utilize existing imagery provided in the platform
2. How big is the area you are trying to map?
- Under 100 hectares – consider procuring/collecting aerial imagery from drones
b. Above 100 hectares – consider procuring aerial imagery from manned airplanes or satellite imagery
3. Is your project mostly an urban or rural setting?
- Urban – consider procuring aerial imagery from manned airplanes or drones
b. Rural – consider procuring aerial imagery from manned airplanes or satellite imagery
4. Is the project area covered by clouds for more than 70% of the year?
- YES – consider procuring/collecting aerial imagery from drones
b. NO – consider procuring aerial imagery from manned airplanes or satellite imagery
5. Do you have funding resources available for obtaining additional imagery?
- YES – consider procuring aerial imagery from manned airplanes or drones
b. NO – utilize the imagery provided in the platform
6. How much of the project area has changed in the last five years?
- More than 50% of the features have changed – consider procuring aerial imagery from manned airplanes or satellite imagery
b. Less than 50% of the features have changed – utilize the imagery provided in the platform
7. Does your project involve monitoring of environmental changes or agricultural productivity?
- YES – please reach out to Cadasta Tech Team for further assessment of your project
b. NO – utilize the imagery provided in the platform
8. Does your project need imagery from a specific time frame?
- YES – please reach out to Cadasta Tech Team for further assessment of your project
b. NO – utilize the imagery provided in the platform