Change detection techniques: A review

Abstract

With its synoptic view and the repeatability, satellite remote sensing can provide timely, accurate and consistent information about earth’s surface for costeffective monitoring of environmental changes. In this chapter, recent development in change detection techniques using multitemporal remotely sensed images were reviewed. The chapter covers change detection methods for both optical and SAR images. Various aspects of change detection processes were presented including data preprocessing, change image generation and change detection algorithms such as unsupervised and supervised change detection as well as pixel-based and objectbased change detection. The review shows that significant progress has been made in the field of change detection and innovative methods have been developed for change detection using both multitemporal SAR and optical data. Attempts have been made for change detection using multitemporal multisensor/cross-sensor images. The review also identified a number of challenges and opportunities in change detection.