Terrain resources surveys by visual monoscopic and stereoscopic interpretation of FGEOS images

Abstract

Abstract Monoscopic and stereoscopic interpretation of FGEOS (First Generation Earth Observation Satellites) images were applied comparatively in order to divide the region of Central Peloponnesos (Greece) into physiographic units for thematic mapping concerning geomorphology, soils and land use. A stereo pair of Landsat-1 black and white prints and a false-colour print at 1:250000 scale were used in order (1) to construct a reconnaissance physiographic map, (2) to construct a land use map and (3) to reconsider the monoscopic interpretation techniques, because of the newly-developed SPOT stereo capability and 10 × 10 m ground resolution. The known problems reported from the FGEOS 79 × 79 m resolution could reduce the effectiveness of any interpretation method. However the results show that the stereoscopic interpretation and physiographic analysis of satellite images improve the accuracy of boundaries and increase the number of mapping units, and consequently they are expected to minimize field work, laboratory analysis, field staff and the total cost of surveying.