What technique is used for cover-type mapping?

The technique of cover-type mapping primarily involves the use of aerial photos followed by ground checks. Aerial photography allows for a broad overview of vegetation types and land use patterns, providing a visual representation of the landscape. This visual data can show variations in cover types that might not be apparent from the ground.

However, relying solely on aerial photographs may not provide a complete or entirely accurate picture of the vegetation types or land cover. Ground checks, or ground truthing, are essential for verifying the information obtained from aerial photos. By physically visiting and assessing the areas represented in the aerial images, one can gather detailed data on the plant species present, the health of the vegetation, and other ecological factors that photographs alone might miss. This method ensures a higher level of accuracy of the mapping process, combining both aerial imagery data with real-world observations to produce reliable cover-type maps.

Other methods mentioned, such as remote sensing analysis only or satellite imagery without ground checks, lack the thoroughness provided by integrating ground verification, which is crucial for accurate mapping. Thus, using aerial photos complemented by ground checks represents the most effective approach for cover-type mapping.