Plug-and-play forward backward algorithm to restore Landsat images: A preliminary step to uncover the history of surface waters

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel plug-and-play super-resolution method to enhance Landsat satellite images from 30m to 10m resolution, enabling better historical analysis of river and floodplain dynamics.

Contribution

It presents an innovative single-image super-resolution technique based on a plug-and-play approach to improve Landsat image resolution.

Findings

Achieved higher spatial resolution in Landsat images.

Enabled more detailed analysis of river dynamics.

Facilitated long-term historical surface water studies.

Abstract

The temporal and spatial analysis of river dynamics is a key factor for studying and understanding human impacts on floodplains. To assess the changes taking place, it is necessary to have high-resolution images with a large spatial coverage and a high temporal revisit frequency over the long term. Satellite imagery meets several of these criteria. For instance, Sentinel data provide high-resolution images but only after 2015. Therefore, to study water surface evolution prior to this date, it is necessary to rely on other satellite images such as Landsat, which offers longer historical coverage, albeit with lower spatial resolution. In this study, we aim to increase the spatial resolution of Landsat data from 30 to 10 meters (resolution of Sentinel images). To achieve this goal, we develop an innovative single image super-resolution method based on a plug-and-play approach.