A Review of Remote Sensing Image Classification Techniques: the Role of Spatio-contextual Information

Abstract This paper reviewed major remote sensing image classification techniques, including pixel-wise, sub-pixel-wise, and object-based image classification methods, and highlighted the importance of incorporating spatio-contextual information in remote sensing image classification. Further, this paper grouped spatio-contextual analysis techniques into three major categories, including 1) texture extraction, 2) Markov random fields (MRFs) modeling, and 3) image segmentation and object-based image analysis. Finally, this paper argued the necessity of developing geographic information analysis models for spatial-contextual classifications using two case studies.