Fusion and Analysis of Land Use/Cover Datasets Based on Bayesian-Fuzzy Probability Prediction: A Case Study of the Indochina Peninsula

Land use/cover (LUC) datasets are the basis of global change studies and cross-scale land planning. Data fusion is an important direction for correcting errors and improving the reliability of multisource LUC datasets. In this study, a new fusion method based on Bayesian fuzzy probability prediction was developed, and a case study was conducted in five countries of the Indochina Peninsula to form a fusion dataset with a resolution of 30 m in 2020 (BeyFusLUC30). After precision and uncertainty analysis, it was found that: (1) using accuracy validation information as prior knowledge and considering spatial relations can be well applied to LUC data fusion. (2) When compared to the four source datasets (LSV10, GLC_FCS30, ESRI10, and Globeland30), the accuracy indices of BeyFusLUC30 are all optimal. The average overall consistency increased by 6.42-13.61%, the overall accuracy increased by 4.84-7.11%, and the kappa coefficient increased by 4.98-7.60%. (3) The accuracy of the fusion result improved less for land types with good original accuracy (cropland, forest, water area, and built-up land), and the improved range of F1 score was at least 0.40-2.29%, and at most 6.66-9.88%. For the land types with poor original accuracy (grassland, shrubland, wetland, and bare land), the accuracy of the fusion result improved more, and the F1 score improved by at least 4.02-5.82%, and at most 14.41-48.35%. The LUC dataset fusion and quality improvement method developed in this study can be applied to other regions of the world as well. BeyFusLUC30 can provide reliable LUC data for scientific research and government applications in the peninsula.

Automated summary

A new fusion method based on Bayesian fuzzy probability prediction was developed to improve the reliability of multisource land use/cover (LUC) datasets. A case study in the Indochina Peninsula showed that the fusion method effectively improved the accuracy of LUC data. This method can also be applied to other regions.