Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Book chapters
DOI 10.1007/978-3-032-06136-2_30
Title (Primary) Validation challenges in large-scale tree crown segmentations from remote sensing imagery using deep learning: a case study in Germany
Title (Secondary) New Trends in Theory and Practice of Digital Libraries: TPDL 2025
Author Khan, T. ORCID logo ; Krebs, J.; Gupta, S.K. ORCID logo ; Renkel, J.; Arnold, C.; Nölke, N.
Publisher Balke, W.-T.; Golub, K.; Manolopoulos, Y.; Stefanidis, K.; Zhang, Z.; Aalberg, T.; Manghi, P.
Year 2025
Department BZF; MET
Volume 2694
Page From 311
Page To 323
Language englisch
Topic T5 Future Landscapes
Supplements Supplement 1
Abstract Deep-learning–based individual tree-crown (ITC) mapping has become increasingly prominent in remote sensing, yet rigorous validation of these predictions at large spatial scales remains challenging. Using data from an extensive case study involving the mapping of approximately 218.7 million trees across the German federal states of Sachsen and Sachsen-Anhalt from multispectral aerial imagery, we demonstrate that scaling such models beyond controlled environments significantly exacerbates validation difficulties. Minor inaccuracies in tree crown segmentation can critically affect practical applications, including forestry management and urban planning. Our findings highlight validation complexities arising specifically from tree allometry, seasonal variability, shadow effects, and annotation characteristics within training datasets. Consequently, achieving reliable model performance requires deliberate design of training data and potentially leveraging task-specific pre-training through Foundation Models. We emphasize the importance of rigorous validation procedures to ensure the reliability and practical utility of large-scale deep-learning models in ecological and urban management contexts.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=31575
Khan, T., Krebs, J., Gupta, S.K., Renkel, J., Arnold, C., Nölke, N. (2025):
Validation challenges in large-scale tree crown segmentations from remote sensing imagery using deep learning: a case study in Germany
In: Balke, W.-T., Golub, K., Manolopoulos, Y., Stefanidis, K., Zhang, Z., Aalberg, T., Manghi, P. (eds.)
New Trends in Theory and Practice of Digital Libraries: TPDL 2025
2694
Springer International Publishing, Cham, p. 311 - 323 10.1007/978-3-032-06136-2_30