Polygonization of discontinuous raster classes from machine-learning predictive ecosystem mapping (PEM)

With a lack of qualified vectorization method used for BEC data transformation, the main goal of this research is to polygonize discontinuous BEC raster classes into vector map with better overall effectiveness and efficiency especially regarding the linear areas. The original data input for analysis is a machine-learning BEC zone raster map of Deception Study Area located in middle BC near Telkwa, with a resolution of 5m*5m.

A comprehensive comparison between vectorization algorithms in GIS applications was conducted, including different filtering, simplifying and smoothing algorithms. Since we have the original predicted BEC raster map as the performance measurement, accuracy was directly measured as the percentage of correctly classified pixels when rasterizing the polygons. The evaluation criteria include visual effect, number of polygons, linear patches accuracy processing time.