Geomatics

Landcover

Landcover maps provide a simplified, accurate picture of the surface of your study area.

Maps are specifically tailored to the needs of our clients. For example, if we are mapping pasture land, any towns might be identified as "built up" areas. If the maps are for surface hydrology, we might remap towns as "pervious" or "impervious."

Western Heritage has provided landcover maps for many applications, ranging in size from several sections to several provinces.

One powerful application is change analysis - using multi-date imagery, we can accurately measure the cumulative impacts of development on specific cover types.

Our Landcover services include:

• Defining cover types (including accuracy measures)
• Selecting appropriate imagery sources
• Completing the mapping and accuracy assessments

Data Extraction

Aerial and satellite images contain volumes of raw data. The task of extracting this data can be a science unto itself.

Much of the time, information is extracted through the process of classification. At times, with certain image sources, we can extract pixel information (e.g. Modis surface temperature data).

Extracting information can pose numerous challenges. While multispectral information is rich, it can be difficult to find the specific information you need. Imagery needs to be corrected for atmospheric effects and to a common scale (usually radiance for optical satellites, and decibels for microwave satellites).

Our experts can work with you to select the correct data source, normalize the imagery once received, and extract only the information you need.

GIS/Modeling

Western Heritage is a pioneer in the development and use of GIS in archaeology.

We work with a wide range of GIS applications and data formats to create maps, diagrams and databases. We can accept geographical data of any kind, and render your results quickly and accurately.

Our experts use GIS to visualize and record data from archaeological, historical and traditional sites for interpretation purposes, or to predict where sites may be located.

We can locate sites by analyzing various aspects of an area's geography - position on a landform, soil type, proximity to water, ecological characteristics and more. This is the essence of Heritage Potential Modeling.

We have completed numerous Heritage Potential Modeling studies. Tools and techniques have improved over the decades, allowing us to develop progressively better models.

We will continue to develop new generations of models as new methods and data become available.

Remote Sensing

Remote sensing is the science of acquiring information from satellite- or aircraft-mounted sensors. Remote sensing can yield information about the Earth's surface, atmosphere and properties.

Remote sensing has traditionally relied on pixel-based classifiers.

Western Heritage specializes in object-oriented classifications (with the benefit of rigorous statistical models).

With our models, Western Heritage can provide information for a wide range of environmental applications.