Object based analysis
Object based analysis first divides an image into segments (objects), based on colour + texture + detail required.
Segments are then labelled manually or automatically using membership rules which may depend on colour, texture, location + biophysical properties.
References:
Blaschke, T. (in Press). "Object based image analysis for remote sensing." Journal of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing.
Phinn, S. R., C. M. Roelfsema and P. J. Mumby (in press). "Multi-scale image segmentation for mapping coral reef geomorphic and benthic community zone." International Journal of Remote Sensing.