Land Cover Change Detection via Semantic Segmentation

Abstract: This paper presents a change detection method that identifies land cover changes from aerial imagery, using semantic segmentation, a machine learning approach. We present a land cover classification training pipeline with Deeplab v3+, state-of-the-art semantic segmentation technology, including data preparation, model training for seven land cover types, and model exporting modules. In the land cover change detection system, the inputs are images retrieved from Google Earth at the same location but from different times. The system then predicts semantic segmentation results on these images using the trained model and calculates the land cover class percentage for each input image. We see an improvement in the accuracy of the land cover semantic segmentation model, with a mean IoU of 0.756 compared to 0.433, as reported in the DeepGlobe land cover classification challenge. The land cover change detection system that leverages the state-of-the-art semantic segmentation technology is proposed and can be used for deforestation analysis, land management, and urban planning.