Design and development of wetland evaluation system based on remote sensing and 3D visualization

To meet the demands of the regional wetland evaluation, a wetland evaluation system (WES) was developed, which integrated digital image processing, economic value evaluation model of wetland functions and 3D visualization. This paper chose CASM ImageInfo as one part of WES for processing the multiple source images. Based on the wetland database management system, a graphical modeling tool was developed which supplied many wetland value calculation functions in form of a flowchart and made wetland evaluation process semi-automatic. Besides, Jx-4 (a digital photogrammetric system) was chosen as the data preparation module in the WES. Based on the DEM data derived from Jx-4. 3D visualization of regional wetlands was realized by the VR (Virtual Reality) technology. The VR technology was integrated to simulate the circumstance of the wetland and the wetland dynamic processes under different hydrologic conditions in 3D space. This system was an effective and fully digital processing platform for the researchers to evaluate regional wetland services and to obtain the general circumstance and the change of the wetland. This system provided advanced scientific management and effective decision-making information for wetland resources.