Map Comparison Kit
The Map Comparison Kit offers algorithms interactively explore different aspects of map similarity. It allows the comparison of maps at different levels of abstraction. It includes standard methods such as kappa and percentage of agreement as well as some methods that were more recently developed such as fuzzy kappa and a moving window based comparison of landscape structure. These comparison methods were specifically developed to evaluate the performance of spatial models.
The Map Comparison Kit includes a range of algorithms for the comparison of raster maps to provide understanding in:
- the overall extent of the differences
- the spatial distribution of the differences
- the nature of the differences
To this effect the Map Comparison Kit includes a range of algorithms for the comparison of raster maps. It includes ‘classical’ methods such as Kappa and Percentage of agreement as well as some ‘state of the art’ methods that were more recently developed. These methods include:
- Fuzzy Set Map Comparison. The Fuzzy Set Map Comparison takes proximity relations and similarity between legend categories into account in order to obtain a nuances view on map similarity. The comparison method has been developed by Hagen (2003).
- Hierarchical Fuzzy Pattern Matching. This method compares two maps on a patch-by-patch basis. In this manner it circumvents problems associated to cell-by-cell map comparison. Rather than cells, same-category clusters that are found in both maps are compared on their characteristics. The calculation of the similarity is based upon a Fuzzy Inference System evaluation of these characteristics. This method was developed by Power et al. (2001).
Version 2 offers a major extension to the previous version of MCK. New functionality came forth out of express wishes by users from various departments of RIVM and includes new comparison algorithms as well as enhanced functionality:
- Moving window based comparison of landscape structure. This new family of comparison methods gives a spatial account of differences in landscape structure for two maps.
- Extension of the fuzzy concept. Users of the MCK pointed out cases where a fuzzy set map comparison would be useful but where it could not be directly applied. Therefore the versatility of the tool has been extended to also be able to:
- Fuzzy compare maps of numerical data
- Fuzzy compare maps for a single category
- Fuzzy compare maps with different legends
- Fuzzy compare maps with different resolutions
- Running of comparisons in batch mode. For many practical applications it is necessary to perform large quantities of map comparison operations. To facilitate this and to save a lot of time and mouse clicks, a batch environment has been integrated into to the Map Comparison Kit.
- Storing and reporting results. Either for personal notes, a quick memo or an official report, it is essential to be able to have comparison results readily available. The MCK makes it possible to copy & paste results to other software, to export results for later use in GIS software and to ‘bookmark’ interesting comparisons for later reference in the MCK.
Internet site : MCK Homepage (includes free download)
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This article last updated Tuesday 25 October 2005. by Alex Hagen-Zanker