Mapping population distribution by integrating night-time light satellite imagery and land-cover data

An accurate estimation method of a population´s spatial distribution is useful and necessary for disaster risk analysis. In this study, we proposed a synthesis method using NPP/VIIRS data and land-cover data and use it to estimate the population density in the Henan Province of China, taking into account the differences between urban and rural areas. The results showed that the population density is from 0-16047 people/0.25 km²; high values are mainly distributed in the big cities, while low values are distributed in the rural areas, agreeing with the actual distribution in the study area. The mean estimation error is 26.27% in our study, which is lower than that of previous studies (44.98% and 34.67%), showing that our method has advantages for regional or small-scale risk analysis.