Performance Evaluation of Machine Learning Algorithms for Cloud Removal of Optical Imagery: A Case Study in Cropland

Multi-temporal optical images have been utilized for time-series monitoring of croplands. However, the presence of clouds imposes limitations on image availability, often requiring a cloud removal procedure. This study assesses the applicability of various machine learning algorithms for effective cloud removal in optical imagery. We conducted comparative experiments by focusing on two key variables that significantly influence the predictive performance of machine learning algorithms: (1) land-cover types of training data and (2) temporal variability of land-cover types. Three machine learning algorithms, including Gaussian process regression (GPR), support vector machine (SVM), and random forest (RF), were employed for the experiments using simulated cloudy images in paddy fields of Gunsan. GPR and SVM exhibited superior prediction accuracy when the training data had the same land-cover types as the cloud region, and GPR showed the best stability with respect to sampling fluctuations. In addition, RF was the least affected by the land-cover types and temporal variations of training data. These results indicate that GPR is recommended when the land-cover type and spectral characteristics of the training data are the same as those of the cloud region. On the other hand, RF should be applied when it is difficult to obtain training data with the same land-cover types as the cloud region. Therefore, the land cover types in cloud areas should be taken into account for extracting informative training data along with selecting the optimal machine learning algorithm.