Polytechnic of Namibia

Transforming into Namibia University of Science and Technology

Department of Geo-Spatial Sciences and Technology

Bachelor of Geo – Information Technology

Course: RES611S– Remote Sensing 2

Proposal for data collection on vegetation structure

and density in Hardap Game Park.

Done by: Anna Penohole Shiweda

213038862

Lecturer: Celeste Espach

Moderator: Daniel Wyss

Date: 5 September 2014

Table of Contents

1 INTRODUCTION..............................................4

1.1 Background.............................................5

2 LITERATURE REVIEW.........................................6

2.1 Image Preparation......................................6

2.2 Image Classification...................................6

2.2.1 Supervised Classification...........................6

2.2.2 Unsupervised Classification.........................6

3 MATERIALS AND METHODOLOGY.................................7

3.1 Data Sources...........................................7

3.2 Software...............................................7

3.3 Methodology............................................7

3.3.1 Pre-Fieldwork.......................................7

3.3.2 Fieldwork...........................................7

4 EXPECTED OUTCOMES.........................................9

5 CONLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION.............................10

6 REFERENCE LIST...........................................11

Table of Figures

Figure 1.1: Location of Hardap Game Park.....................4

Figure 3.1: Form used for collecting field data concerned with

vegetation density and structure.....................8

1 INTRODUCTION

This whole data will be collected for the Ministry of

Environment and Tourism and used to classify the newest

satellite image of Hardap Game Park, as to have a final land

cover map of the Plateau. This will help the Ministry see the

changes that took place during the last satellite image

production.

Figure 1.1: Location of Hardap Game Park.

1.1 Background

The Hardap Game Park lies along the south of Namibia were it

wraps around the 25 km Hardap Game Reservoir. The reservoir

holds about 320 million cubic metres. The game park is home to

a variety of aquatic birds including white pelican flamingo’s

cormorants African darters spoonbills and the majestic African

fish eagle.

The most common species in the area are the kudus, zebra, red

hartebeest, springbok, gemsbok and steenbok. The 24 bird

species recorded here include the great white pelican, yellow-

billed stork, osprey, Bradfield’s swift and Stark lark. The

park is dominated by the Hardap Dam, the fish and the Groot

Komatsas Rivers. Open savannah with mountainous areas such as

the Gemsbok Plateau.

Hardap stands in the dominant highlands of Namibia, and its

rolling hilly scenery is generally covered in low-growing

bushes and stunted trees. Its river-courses tend to be densely

vegetated; frequently having thick, taller stands of camel

thorn and buffalo thorn trees.

The most fascinating birds to be seen here are often Cape

species, at the northern verge of their kind, like the

cinnamon-breasted warbler, the Karoo eremomela, or the

uncommon Sclater’s lark. Others are Namibian species towards

the southern verge of their kind, like amusing rosy-faced

lovebirds.

Hardap's larger game includes Hartmann's mountain zebra, Oryx,

kudu, springbok and red hartebeest. Cheetahs used to inhabit

here, but they increased and run away on to bordering farms,

so now they have been excluded. This is a classic leopard

country, hilly and thickly bushed – suitable for the dominant

predators, though they are rarely seen. There are no lions,

elephants or buffalos.

A handful of black rhinos were moved to Hardap from Damaraland

in 1990, and they have settled up towards the north of the

park. They were familiarised to the west side of the lake, but

one has been reported as crossing the lake to settle into a

region on the eastern side.

2 LITERATURE REVIEW

Before the starting of the project, different strategies had

to be evaluated to determine the most effective way in

completing the project and obtaining the desired results.

(Information from other sources; secondary information, and

random sampling methods will be used.)

2.1 Image Preparation

Many image processing and analysis techniques have been

developed to aid the interpretation of remote sensing images

and to extract as much information as possible from the

images.

The choice of specific techniques or algorithms to use depends

on the goals of each individual project.

Pre- processing and image enhancement techniques will be used

in this project.

2.2 Image Classification

2.2.1Supervised Classification

In supervised classification, the spectral features of some

areas of known land cover types will be extracted from the

image. These areas are known as the "training areas". Every

pixel in the whole image is then classified as belonging to

one of the classes depending on how close its spectral

features are to the spectral features of the training areas.

2.2.2Unsupervised Classification

Here unsupervised classification, the computer program

automatically groups the pixels in the image into separate

clusters, depending on their spectral features. Each cluster

will then be assigned a land cover type by the analyst.

3 MATERIALS AND METHODOLOGY

3.1 Data Sources

Satellite imagery can be from Land cover Facilities on web

sites. And further processing will basically be done using

software such as MultiSpec version 9.

3.2 Software

Microsoft Access - will be used to create a data sheet for

the map that will be created.

ArcMap - will be used to create the locality map for the

field, as well as compiling professional maps/ coordinate

points based on the findings of rhe project.

Multispec Version 9 - will be used to create the different

supervised and unsupervised land cover types.

3.3 Methodology

3.3.1Pre-Fieldwork

Before the excursion, each group should create a locality

field map for navigation purposes and keeping track of how the

fieldwork is being carried out.

3.3.2Fieldwork

As the six people are dropped at their designated areas, they

will walk a number of km depending on the pick-up point.

During the walk, they should be able to collect points after

every 500m to using Trimble and the handheld GPS.

To collect the data, a group of 6 people will be assigned to

their designated areas each morning with the provision of a

map, Trimble, hand held GPS, field book and a camera. The

Trimble will be used to collect the correct coordinate points

in decimal degrees, while the handheld will collect the

coordinates in degrees, minutes and seconds. Another two

people will also have to be assigned to do the recording in

the field book and one other person to work with the camera.

The post-fieldwork will be done during and at the end of the

project to display the results in a professional and

understandable way.

After the field work is done, the data (including the pictures

that will be downloaded- taken during the field work) will be

used to create a geographical map in GIS. This will be done

using ArcCatalog10.1 and ArcMap10.1.

But before the map is created, data needs to be entered in

Microsoft Excel where it will be exported and converted to a

shape file as this is the only supported format in ArcGIS.

Figure 3.2: Form used for collecting field data concerned withvegetation density and structure.

4 EXPECTED OUTCOMES

One of the essential outcomes is the final report. This report

will contain all maps containing the data that was collected

in the study area. It will also contain all the field work

maps that will be used in the field for navigation.

5 CONLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

Collecting this type of data is very essential. Not only would

it cater for the Ministry, but the state at large.

The project must successfully result in proper mapping

representations of the findings. At the end the project most

or all of the objectives would’ve been achieved.

For excellent results, people to be used in this excursion

should be able to use the GPS and also read the map correctly

during the actual fieldwork.

6 REFERENCE LIST

Murphy, A., Ham, A., Morgan, K., Holden, T. (2013). Namibia

and Botswana: Travel guide (3rd Edition.). Cape Town,

South Africa.

Namibian Tourism. (2012). Hardap Game Park .Retrieved October

01, 2014, from Hardap Game Reserve Namibia Network:

http://www.namibiatourism.org

Namibian Constitution, a. GRN. (2013). Regional Development

Plan: Hardap Region. (Volume3) of Regional Development

Plan.

Namibia-1on1. (2013). The Information Site. Retrived October

03, 2014, from Travel Namibia Network:

http://www.namibia-1on1.com/mariental.html