Analyzing Domain Knowledge for Big Data Analysis: A Case Study with Urban Tree Type Classification.

The goals of this research were to create a labeled dataset of tree shadows and to test the feasibility of shadow-based tree type identification using aerial imagery. Urban tree big data that provides information about individual trees can help city planners optimize positive benefits of urban trees (e.g., increasing wellbeing of city residents) while managing potential negative impacts (e.g., risk to power lines). The continual rise of tree type specific threats, such as emerald ash borer, due to climate change has made this problem more pressing in recent years.