植被光能利用率遥感估算

光能利用率表征植被通过光合作用将所截获/吸收的能量转化为有机碳的效率,是遥感估算植被生产力的关键参数。由于植被分布和气候环境的综合影响,光能利用率表现出显著的空间异质性和时间动态性,光能利用率的不确定性成为后续生产力模型估算精度不高的重要原因。本文以Fluxnet全球通量站点数据和MODIS LAI/fPAR产品为数据源,比较了5种遥感植被生产力模型中的光能利用率估算方法,并在此基础上考虑光照散射条件对光能利用率的影响,结合晴空指数,利用逐步线性回归方法和参数优化方法建立不同植被类型的光能利用率估算模型。验证结果表明,考虑晴空指数可提高光能利用率估算精度,两种方法估算得到的光能利用率值RMSE均低于0.5 gC·MJ^-1,逐步线性回归法尽管机理欠缺,但由于选择因子较多,光能利用率估算精度较高（R²=0.461,RMSE=0.403 gC·MJ^-1）;广泛应用的参数化方法由于考虑的因子较少、模型形式较固定,光能利用率估算精度稍低（R²=0.306,RMSE=0.489 gC·MJ^-1）。本文所建立的光能利用率估算模型可应用于区域或全球植被光能利用率及生产力的估算。     

联合星载高光谱影像和堆栈集成学习回归算法的红树林冠层叶绿素含量遥感反演

红树林是世界上生产力最高、价值最高的湿地生态系统之一。冠层叶绿素含量CCC（Canopy Chlorophyll Content）作为红树林重要的生物物理参量,是估算其生产力和评价其健康状况的重要指标。本文利用珠海一号高光谱卫星（OHS）影像与Sentinel-2A多光谱数据计算传统植被指数与组合植被指数并构建了高维数据集,综合利用正态分布检验、最大相关系数法与变量重要性评价进行数据降维和变量优选;分别基于单一线性回归算法、机器学习回归算法和堆栈集成学习回归算法构建了红树林CCC遥感反演模型,探明北部湾红树林CCC的最佳遥感反演模型,验证OHS高光谱影像与Sentinel-2A数据反演红树林CCC的精度差异,评估SNAP-SL2P算法反演红树林CCC的适用性。研究结果表明：（1）通过数据降维和变量选择处理,从高维度OHS数据集选取了8个特征变量,其中RSI_（12,17）、DSI_（12,18）和NDSI_（6,12）组合植被指数对红树林CCC反演精度的贡献率较高;（2）联合OHS数据和最优堆栈GBRT集成学习回归模型（Score=0.999,RMSE=0.963 μg/cm²）的训练精度优于最优RF机器学习回归模型（RMSE降低了7.531 μg/cm²）,明显优于最优Lasso线性回归模型（RMSE降低了19.383 μg/cm²）;（3）在最优堆栈集成学习回归模型下,OHS数据反演红树林CCC的精度（R²=0.761,RMSE=16.738 μg/cm²）高于Sentinel-2A影像（R²=0.615,RMSE=20.701 μg/cm²）;（4）联合OHS和Sentinel-2A数据的最优堆栈集成学习回归模型反演红树林CCC的精度都明显优于SNAP-SL2P算法（R²=0.356,RMSE=49.419 μg/cm²）。研究结果论证了正态分布检验、最大相关系数法和基于XGBoost的特征选择方法有效降低了高维数据集的维度,并得到了最优特征变量;OHS数据的最优堆栈GBRT集成学习回归模型训练精度最高,是估算红树林CCC的最优反演模型;OHS和Sentinel-2A数据都能有效反演红树林CCC（R²均大于0.61）,而OHS数据的估算精度更高（R²大于0.75）;SNAP-SL2P算法不能有效反演红树林CCC（R²小于0.4）,且对红树林CCC数值存在系统性低估。     

全球海洋次表层温度异常遥感反演的季节时空变化特征

卫星遥感反演海洋内部多时相、大尺度热力结构信息对于了解海洋内部复杂、多维的动力过程有重要意义。本文采用随机森林回归模型，利用卫星遥感观测的海表参量（海表高度异常（SSHA）、海表温度异常（SSTA）、海表盐度异常（SSSA）和海表风场异常（SSWA）），反演不同季节、不同深度层位（1000 m深度以上）的海洋次表层温度异常（STA），并用Argo实测数据作精度验证，采用均方根误差（RMSE）、归一化均方根误差（NRMSE）以及决定系数（R²）评价模型在全球及洋盆尺度上的反演精度。结果显示，全球海洋16个深度层位的平均R²在春、夏、秋、冬四季分别为0.53、0.60、0.54、0.66，NRMSE分别为0.051、0.031、0.043、0.044。随着季节的变化，模型反演性能有所波动。模型在印度洋的反演效果最佳，不同季节、不同深度层位上的平均R²和RMSE分别为0.71和0.18 ℃，而大西洋的反演精度最低，平均R²和RMSE分别为0.46和0.25 ℃。研究表明随机森林模型适用于全球不同季节的STA遥感反演，且在不同洋盆上均有较好的反演效果；不同季节上，上层STA有明显变化信号，空间异质性显著，但300 m以深，STA信号较弱且基本不随季节变化。本研究可为长时序、大尺度海洋内部参量信息遥感反演与重建提供依据，有助于进一步发展深海遥感方法。     

中国南方森林冠顶高度Lidar反演—以江西省为例

激光雷达(Lidar)与光学遥感的有效结合对中国南方区域森林冠顶高度反演意义重大,而国产卫星将为中国森林生态研究提供新的数据源。本文联合利用大脚印激光雷达GLA和国产MERSI数据,在实现GLAS波形数据处理和不同地形条件下森林冠顶高度反演算法基础上,建立了区域尺度不同森林类型林分冠顶高度GLAS+MERSI联合反演关系模型,进行了江西地区森林冠顶高度反演。总体上,GLAS激光雷达森林冠顶高度估算精度较高;且在与MERSI 250 m数据的联合反演模型中,针叶林模型精度较好(R²=0.7325);阔叶林次之(R²=0.6095);混交林较差(R²=0.4068)。分析发现,考虑了光学遥感生物物理参数的GLAS+MERSI联合关系模型在区域森林冠顶高度估算中有较高精度,且在空间分布上与土地覆盖数据分布特征非常一致。     

光学与微波植被指数协同反演农作物叶面积指数的可行性分析

光学遥感是目前反演植被叶面积指数LAI（Leaf Area Index）的主要手段,但是当叶面积指数较大时存在光学遥感信息饱和、反演精度显著降低的问题。叶面积指数和平均叶倾角对光学、微波波段范围内反射和散射特性都有重要影响,主要表现在植被结构参数的变化可以引起冠层孔隙率和消光截面大小的改变。本文以典型农作物玉米为例,通过构建统一的PROSAIL和MIMICS模型输入参数,生成一套玉米全生长期光学二向反射率和全极化微波后向散射系数模拟库和冠层参数库。通过对模拟数据与LAI敏感性和相关性分析得出：（1）光学植被指数MNDVI_{(800 nm,2000 nm)},在LAI为0—3时敏感,基于MNDVI与LAI的回归模型可以估算LAI变化 0.4的情况,RMSE是0.33,R²是0.958。（2）微波植被指数SAR_{SRVI(1.4 GHz HH,9.6 GHz HV)},在LAI为3—6时敏感,基于SAR_SRVI与LAI的回归模型可以估算LAI变化1的情况,RMSE为0.22,R²是0.9839。研究表明,采用分段敏感的植被指数,协同光学和微波遥感反演玉米全生长期叶面积指数是可行的。     

SAR与光学遥感影像的玉米秸秆覆盖度估算

秸秆是农田生态系统的重要组成部分。秸秆覆盖度（CRC）的遥感估算可以大范围、快速地获取地面秸秆覆盖信息，对保护性耕作的推广具有十分重要的意义。基于Sentinel-1 SAR影像和Sentinel-2光学影像分别构建了雷达指数与光学遥感指数，结合吉林省梨树县春秋两期实地采样数据，探究遥感指数与玉米秸秆覆盖度的相关性。为进一步提升玉米秸秆覆盖度的估算精度，结合雷达指数与光学遥感指数，采用最优子集回归的方法建立玉米秸秆覆盖度的估算模型，完成研究区的玉米秸秆覆盖度估算制图。结果表明：土壤质地分区建模可有效解决土壤异质性问题，提升反演精度。各遥感指数在秋季高覆盖时期的表现均优于春季低覆盖时期。STI和NDTI指数在光学遥感指数中表现最好，R²分别为0.701和0.697，而在雷达指数中，基于余弦矫正法的γVH0指数与实测CRC的相关性最高，R²为0.564。结合雷达指数与光学遥感指数能够有效地提高秸秆覆盖度估算精度，在最优子集回归法下基于结合指数构建的回归模型最优，R²为0.799，RMSE为13.67%，达到了较高的精度。研究结果为秸秆覆盖度估算的精度提升提供了一种新思路。     

基于星载POLDER冰雪数据评价3个BRDF模型

冰雪在短波区域具有很强的各向异性反射特征,对全球能量平衡及水循环等有重要作用。目前,国内外学者发展了一系列应用于冰雪的二向性反射分布函数BRDF（Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function）模型,全面比较和评估这些模型对星载多角度遥感产品的业务化模型选择有重要参考价值和指导意义。本文基于全球POLDER冰雪多角度反射率数据,选取3个模型,包括核驱动、半经验的MODIS业务化RTLSR模型、渐进辐射传输物理模型ART以及新发展的RTLSRS 模型进行了全面比较分析,研究结果表明：（1）在拟合所有POLDER数据时,RTLSRS模型都具有最高精度,对于单组纯雪数据,RTLSRS模型的最小二乘拟合的均方根误差（RMSE）比ART模型降低了45.45%,仅为RTLSR模型的18.46%。对于非纯雪数据,RTLSRS模型与RTLSR模型的拟合能力总体差别不大,但其RMSE比RTLSR模型降低了67.5%,ART模型的精度最差。（2）虽然RTLSRS可以高精度拟合所有数据,但该模型拟合纯雪（R²=0.969,RMSE=0.012）精度较优于非纯雪（R²=0.926,RMSE=0.013）。（3）对RTLSRS模型进行简化,仅保留其各向同性核和雪核ISM（Isotropic-Snow Model）,验证结果表明：简化后的模型能够很好地表征雪的二向散射能力,使用POLDER全部纯雪数据进行拟合时,R²达到了0.949,RMSE为0.034。本文有助于用户在应用冰雪多角度数据时选择更合适的BRDF模型,同时对理解这些模型的误差提供了有价值的参考     

利用POLDER数据验证MODIS BRDF模型参数产品及Ross-Li模型

将MODIS BRDF模型参数产品(MCD43A1)模拟的近红外波段反射率与从POLDER-3/PARASOL BRDF全球数据集中筛选的9961个像元的BRDF观测数据进行对比,验证了MCD43A1所采用的RossThick-LiSparseR BRDF 模型(Ross-Li模型)拟合二向反射的能力。结果表明,Ross-Li模型总体上可以有效地模拟地物的二向反射,所有像元的近红外波段反射率模拟值与POLDER-3观测数据之间的R²达到0.943,RMSE为0.016,模拟反射率比POLDER-3数据总体偏低5.2%。但Ross-Li模型明显低估了热点反射率,热点模拟结果比POLDER-3数据平均偏低14%,模拟值的R2为0.824,RMSE为0.07。热点反射率模拟误差与地表覆盖类型有关,针叶林热点反射率模拟值偏低最严重,其次是阔叶林、草地与农田,灌木与裸地热点反射率模拟值偏低相对较小。通过修正Ross-Li模型中的体散射核,可以明显改善热点反射率的模拟效果(R²＝0.839,RMSE＝0.043)。Ross-Li模型对天底、暗点等特征方向反射率的模拟较为准确。Ross-Li模型的模拟精度随太阳天顶角和观测天顶角的增大而降低。对于农田与草地而言,Ross-Li模型的模拟精度随NDVI的增加而降低;但在森林与灌木覆盖条件下,当NDVI约为0.5时,Ross-Li模型的模拟效果最差。     

利用无人机数码影像估算马铃薯地上生物量

株高和地上生物量AGB（Above-Ground Biomass）是作物长势监测的重要指标,因此快速获取这些信息对指导田间管理具有重要意义。本研究通过无人机搭载高清数码相机分别获取马铃薯5个生育期的影像数据,地面实测株高H（heigh）和AGB以及地面控制点GCPs（Ground Control Points）的三维空间坐标。首先,利用试验区域的影像数据结合GCPs的位置信息从生成的数字表面模型DSM（Digital Surface Model）中提取出马铃薯的株高（Hdsm）。其次,选取26种植被指数和H、Hdsm组成新的数据集与AGB作相关性分析,筛选出相关性较高的前7个植被指数同Hdsm作为估算马铃薯AGB的输入参数。然后,使用MLR（Multiple Linear Regression）、SVM（Support Vector Machine）和ANN（Artificial Neural Network）方法分别基于植被指数、植被指数和Hdsm构建马铃薯多生育期AGB估算模型,对不同估算模型进行比较分析,从而选择出AGB估算的最佳模型。结果表明：基于DSM提取的Hdsm与实测株高H高度拟合（R²=0.86,RMSE=6.36 cm,NRMSE=13.42%）;各生育期基于3种回归技术均以植被指数融入Hdsm构建的模型精度最高,估算能力最强;各生育期利用MLR方法构建的AGB估算模型效果最佳,其次为SVM-AGB估算模型,而ANN-AGB估算模型效果最差。该研究可为马铃薯AGB快速、无损监测提供科学参考。     

利用Sentinel-2影像超分辨率重建的红树林冠层氮含量反演

氮素是植被整个生命周期的必要元素,红树林冠层氮素含量（CNC）遥感估算对红树林健康监测具有重要意义。以广东湛江高桥红树林保护区为研究区,本文旨在基于Sentinel-2影像超分辨率重建技术进行红树林CNC估算和空间制图。研究首先基于三次卷积重采样、Sen2Res和SupReMe算法实现Sentinel-2影像从20 m分辨率到10 m的重建;然后以重建后的影像和原始20 m影像为数据源构建40个相关植被指数,采用递归特征消除法（SVM-RFE）确定CNC估算的最优变量组合,进而构建CNC反演的核岭回归（KRR）模型;最后选取最优模型实现CNC制图。研究结果表明：基于Sen2Res和SupReMe超分辨率算法的重建影像不仅与原始影像具有很高的光谱一致性,且明显提高了影像的清晰度和空间细节。红树林CNC反演波段主要集中在红（B4）、红边（B5）、近红外波段（B8a）以及短波红外波段（B11和B12）,与“红边波段”相关的植被指数（RSSI和TCARIre1/OSAVI）也是红树林CNC反演的有效变量。基于3种方法重建后10 m的影像构建的模型反演精度（R²val>0.579）均优于原始20 m的影像（R²val=0.504）;基于Sen2Res算法重建影像构建的反演模型拟合精度（R²val=0.630,RMSE_val=5.133,RE_val=0.179）与基于三次卷积重采样重建影像的模型拟合精度（R²val=0.640,RMSE_val=5.064,RE_val=0.179）基本相当,前者模型验证精度（R²cv=0.497,RMSE_cv=5.985,RE_cv=0.214）较高且模型变量选择数量最为合理。综合重建影像光谱细节及模型精度,基于Sen2Res算法重建的Sentinel-2影像在红树林CNC估算中具有良好的应用潜力,能为区域尺度红树林冠层健康状况的精细监测提供有效的方法借鉴和数据支撑。     

Estimation of LAI and above-ground biomass in deciduous forests: Western Ghats of Karnataka, India

This study demonstrates the potentials of IRS P6 LISS-IV high-resolution multispectral sensor (IGFOV  6 m)-based estimation of biomass in the deciduous forests in the Western Ghats of Karnataka, India. Regression equations describing the relationship between IRS P6 LISS-IV data-based vegetation index (NDVI) and field measured leaf area index (ELAI) and estimated above-ground biomass (EAGB) were derived. Remote sensing (RS) data-based leaf area index (PLAI) image is generated using regression equation based on NDVI and ELAI (r² = 0.68, p ≤ 0.05). RS-based above-ground biomass (PAGB) image was generated based on regression equation developed between PLAI and EAGB (r² = 0.63, p ≤ 0.05). The mean value of estimated above-ground biomass and RS-based above-ground biomass in the study area are 280(±72.5) and 297.6(±55.2) Mg ha⁻¹, respectively. The regression models generated in the study between NDVI and LAI; LAI and biomass can also help in generating spatial biomass map using RS data alone. LISS-IV-based estimation of biophysical parameters can also be used for the validation of various coarse resolution satellite products derived from the ground-based measurements alone.     

Monitoring winter wheat growth in North China by combining a crop model and remote sensing data

Both of crop growth simulation models and remote sensing method have a high potential in crop growth monitoring and yield prediction. However, crop models have limitations in regional application and remote sensing in describing the growth process. Therefore, many researchers try to combine those two approaches for estimating the regional crop yields. In this paper, the WOFOST model was adjusted and regionalized for winter wheat in North China and coupled through the LAI to the SAIL–PROSPECT model in order to simulate soil adjusted vegetation index (SAVI). Using the optimization software (FSEOPT), the crop model was then re-initialized by minimizing the differences between simulated and synthesized SAVI from remote sensing data to monitor winter wheat growth at the potential production level. Initial conditions, which strongly impact phenological development and growth, and which are hardly known at the regional scale (such as emergence date or biomass at turn-green stage), were chosen to be re-initialized. It was shown that re-initializing emergence date by using remote sensing data brought simulated anthesis and maturity date closer to measured values than without remote sensing data. Also the re-initialization of regional biomass weight at turn-green stage led that the spatial distribution of simulated weight of storage organ was more consistent to official yields. This approach has some potential to aid in scaling local simulation of crop phenological development and growth to the regional scale but requires further validation.     

Estimating aboveground and organ biomass of plant canopies across the entire season of rice growth with terrestrial laser scanning

Non-destructive and accurate estimation of crop biomass is crucial for the quantitative diagnosis of growth status and timely prediction of grain yield. As an active remote sensing technique, terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) has become increasingly available in crop monitoring for its advantages in recording structural properties. Some researchers have attempted to use TLS data in the estimation of crop aboveground biomass, but only for part of the growing season. Previous studies rarely investigated the estimation of biomass for individual organs, such as the panicles in rice canopies, which led to the poor understanding of TLS technology in monitoring biomass partitioning among organs. The objective of this study was to investigate the potential of TLS in estimating the biomass for individual organs and aboveground biomass of rice and to examine the feasibility of developing universal models for the entire growing season. The field plots experiments were conducted in 2017 and 2018 and involved different nitrogen (N) rates, planting techniques and rice varieties. Three regression approaches, stepwise multiple linear regression (SMLR), random forest regression (RF) and linear mixed-effects (LME) modeling, were evaluated in estimating biomass with extensive TLS and biomass data collected at multiple phenological stages of rice growth across the entire season. The models were calibrated with the 2017 dataset and validated independently with the 2018 dataset.The results demonstrated that growth stage in LME modeling was selected as the most significant random effect on rice growth among the three candidates, which were rice variety, growth stage and planting technique. The LME models grouped by growth stage exhibited higher validation accuracies for all biomass variables over the entire season to varying degrees than SMLR models and RF models. The most pronounced improvement with a LME model was obtained for panicle biomass, with an increase of 0.74 in R² (LME: R² = 0.90, SMLR: R² = 0.16) and a decrease of 1.15 t/ha in RMSE (LME: RMSE =0.79 t/ha, SMLR: RMSE =2.94 t/ha). Compared to SMLR and RF, LME modeling yielded similar estimation accuracies of aboveground biomass for pre-heading stages, but significantly higher accuracies for post-heading stages (LME: R² = 0.63, RMSE =2.27 t/ha; SMLR: R² = 0.42, RMSE =2.42 t/ha; RF: R² = 0.57, RMSE =2.80 t/ha). These findings implied that SMLR was only suitable for the estimation of biomass at pre-heading stages and LME modeling performed remarkably well across all growth stages, especially for post-heading. The results suggest coupling TLS with LME modeling is a promising approach to monitoring rice biomass at post-heading stages at high accuracy and to overcoming the saturation of canopy reflectance signals encountered in optical remote sensing. It also has great potential in the monitoring of other crops in cloud-cover conditions and the instantaneous prediction of grain yield any time before harvest.     

WOFOST模型与遥感数据同化的土壤速效养分反演

土壤速效养分是作物生长的必要条件,合理控制土壤速效养分含量对粮食增产、农民增收以及环境保护都有重要意义。随着现代农业技术的发展,可以通过变量施肥将土壤速效养分含量控制在最佳状态,这也对土壤养分的获取精度提出了更高的要求。当前的主要土壤速效养分遥感监测方法在监测精度、稳定性、成本控制和可推广性依然存在一定不足,甚至限制对变量施肥的指导作用。本文针对传统土壤速效养分估算方法的不足,提出了利用作物模型与时间序列遥感数据相结合实现耕层土壤速效养分反演的新思路,该思路以养分缺失引起的作物长势参数的变化为切入点,在数据同化算法设计和养分模块优化改造的基础上,利用作物长势参数遥感监测结果与模型模拟结果的差异设计了土壤速效养分反演算法,实现速效养分含量信息的有效获取。设计地面观测实验并利用地面观测数据对反演精度进行评价,结果表明该方法可以对土壤中的速效养分进行实时、高精度的稳定反演,3种主要的速效养分速效氮、有效磷和速效钾的R2分别达到了0.68、0.74和0.52,平均相对误差分别为7.45%、6.17%和9.97%。     

MODIS植被指数的美国玉米单产遥感估测

针对中国开展的国外农作物产量遥感估测大多依靠中低分辨率耕地信息、省级(州级)或国家级作物产量统计数据的现状,本文以美国玉米为例,探讨利用多年中高分辨率作物分布信息、时序遥感植被指数和县级作物产量统计数据开展国外重点地区作物单产遥感估测技术研究,以期进一步提高中国对国外农作物产量监测精度和精细化水平。首先,利用美国农业部国家农业统计局(NASS/USDA)生产的作物分布数据(CDL)获得多个年份玉米空间分布图,并对相应年份250 m分辨率16天合成的MODIS-NDVI时序数据进行掩膜处理,统计获得每年各县域内玉米主要生育期NDVI均值;其次,以各州为估产区,以多年县级玉米统计单产和县域内玉米主要生育期NDVI均值为基础,建立各州玉米主要生育期NDVI与玉米单产间关系模型;然后,通过主要生育期玉米单产和玉米植被指数间拟合程度,筛选确定各州玉米最佳估产期和最佳估产模型。最终,利用最佳估产模型实现美国各州玉米单产估测和全国玉米单产推算。其中,建模数据覆盖时间为2007年—2010年,验证数据为2011年。结果表明,应用最佳估产模型的2011年美国各州玉米单产估测相对误差在-4.16%—4.92%,均方根误差在148.75—820.93 kg/ha,各州估测结果计算获得全国玉米单产的相对误差仅为2.12%,均方根误差为285.57 kg/ha。可见,本研究的作物单产遥感估测技术方法具有一定可行性,可准确估测全球重点地区作物单产信息。     

Generation of high spatial and temporal resolution NDVI and its application in crop biomass estimation

Abstract

While data like HJ-1 CCD images have advantageous spatial characteristics for describing crop properties, the temporal resolution of the data is rather low, which can be easily made worse by cloud contamination. In contrast, although Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) can only achieve a spatial resolution of 250 m in its normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI) product, it has a high temporal resolution, covering the Earth up to multiple times per day. To combine the high spatial resolution and high temporal resolution of different data sources, a new method (Spatial and Temporal Adaptive Vegetation index Fusion Model [STAVFM]) for blending NDVI of different spatial and temporal resolutions to produce high spatial–temporal resolution NDVI datasets was developed based on Spatial and Temporal Adaptive Reflectance Fusion Model (STARFM). STAVFM defines a time window according to the temporal variation of crops, takes crop phenophase into consideration and improves the temporal weighting algorithm. The result showed that the new method can combine the temporal information of MODIS NDVI and spatial difference information of HJ-1 CCD NDVI to generate an NDVI dataset with both high spatial and high temporal resolution. An application of the generated NDVI dataset in crop biomass estimation was provided. An average absolute error of 17.2% was achieved. The estimated winter wheat biomass correlated well with observed biomass (R ² of 0.876). We conclude that the new dataset will improve the application of crop biomass estimation by describing the crop biomass accumulation in detail. There is potential to apply the approach in many other studies, including crop production estimation, crop growth monitoring and agricultural ecosystem carbon cycle research, which will contribute to the implementation of Digital Earth by describing land surface processes in detail.     

Farm-Level Yield mapping for precision crop management by linking remote sensing inputs and a crop simulation model

A study aimed at generating wheat yield maps of farmer’s fields by using remote sensing (RS) inputs was undertaken during the rabi season of 1998-99 in six villages of Alipur Block of Delhi State. RS derived leaf area index (LAI) were linked to wheat simulation model WTGROWS by adopting a strategy christened “Modified Corrective Approach”. This essentially uses an empirical relation of grain yield and LAI, which was derived from WTGROWS simulation model by running model for a combination of input resources, management practices and soil types occurring in the area. This biometric relationship was applied to all the wheat fields of the study area for which the LAI was derived from single acquisition of IRS LISS-III data (Jan 27, 99). The LAI-NDVI relation adopted was logarithmic in nature (R²=0.83) and was based on ground measurements of LAI in farmer’s fields in the same area. A comparison of predicted grain yield by the modified corrective approach and actual observed yield for the 22 farmer’s fields showed high correlation coefficient of 0.8 and a root mean square error (RMSE) of 597 kg ha^-1 which was 17% of the observed mean yield. Thus linking of RS information and crop simulation model provides an alternative for mapping and forecasting crop yield under highly variable cropping environment of Indian farms, which is a pre-requisite for implementing Precision Crop Management (PCM).     

Assessment of RapidEye vegetation indices for estimation of leaf area index and biomass in corn and soybean crops

Leaf area index (LAI) and biomass are important indicators of crop development and the availability of this information during the growing season can support farmer decision making processes. This study demonstrates the applicability of RapidEye multi-spectral data for estimation of LAI and biomass of two crop types (corn and soybean) with different canopy structure, leaf structure and photosynthetic pathways. The advantages of Rapid Eye in terms of increased temporal resolution (∼daily), high spatial resolution (∼5 m) and enhanced spectral information (includes red-edge band) are explored as an individual sensor and as part of a multi-sensor constellation. Seven vegetation indices based on combinations of reflectance in green, red, red-edge and near infrared bands were derived from RapidEye imagery between 2011 and 2013. LAI and biomass data were collected during the same period for calibration and validation of the relationships between vegetation indices and LAI and dry above-ground biomass. Most indices showed sensitivity to LAI from emergence to 8 m²/m². The normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), the red-edge NDVI and the green NDVI were insensitive to crop type and had coefficients of variations (CV) ranging between 19 and 27%; and coefficients of determination ranging between 86 and 88%. The NDVI performed best for the estimation of dry leaf biomass (CV = 27% and r² = 090) and was also insensitive to crop type. The red-edge indices did not show any significant improvement in LAI and biomass estimation over traditional multispectral indices. Cumulative vegetation indices showed strong performance for estimation of total dry above-ground biomass, especially for corn (CV ≤ 20%). This study demonstrated that continuous crop LAI monitoring over time and space at the field level can be achieved using a combination of RapidEye, Landsat and SPOT data and sensor-dependant best-fit functions. This approach eliminates/reduces the need for reflectance resampling, VIs inter-calibration and spatial resampling.     

Sentinel-2数据的冬小麦地上干生物量估算及评价

作物生物量快速精确的监测对于农业资源的合理利用与农田的精准管理具有重要意义。近年来,遥感技术因其独特的优势已被广泛用于作物生物量的估算中。本文主要针对不同宽波段植被指数在冬小麦生物量(文中的生物量均是指地上干生物量)估算方面的表现进行探索。首先利用欧洲空间局最新的Sentinel-2A卫星数据提取出17种常见的植被指数,之后分别构建其与相应时期内采集的冬小麦地上生物量间的最优估算模型,通过分析两者间的相关性与敏感性,获取适宜进行生物量估算的指数。最后,绘制了研究区的生物量空间分布图。结果表明,所选的植被指数均与生物量显著相关。其中,红边叶绿素指数(CI_(re))与生物量的估算精度最高(决定性系数R~2为0.83;均方根误差RMSE为180.29 g·m~(–2))。虽然相关性较高,但部分指数,如归一化差值植被指数(NDVI)等在生物量较高时会出现饱和现象,从而导致生物量的低估。而加入红边波段的指数不仅能够延缓指数的饱和趋势,而且能够提高反演精度。此外,通过敏感性分析发现,归一化差值指数和比值指数分别在作物生长的早期和中后期对生物量的变化保持较高的敏感性。由于红边比值指数(SR_(re))和MERIS叶绿素敏感指数(MTCI)在冬小麦全生长季内一直对生物量的变化保持高灵敏性,二者是生物量估算中最为稳定的指数。     

Using multi-polarization C- and L-band synthetic aperture radar to estimate biomass and soil moisture of wheat fields

Biomass and soil moisture are two important parameters for agricultural crop monitoring and yield estimation. In this study, the Water Cloud Model (WCM) was coupled with the Ulaby soil moisture model to estimate both biomass and soil moisture for spring wheat fields in a test site in western Canada. This study exploited both C-band (RADARSAT-2) and L-band (UAVSAR) Synthetic Aperture Radars (SARs) for this purpose. The WCM-Ulaby model was calibrated for three polarizations (HH, VV and HV). Subsequently two of these three polarizations were used as inputs to an inversion procedure, to retrieve either soil moisture or biomass without the need for any ancillary data. The model was calibrated for total canopy biomass, the biomass of only the wheat heads, as well as for different wheat growth stages. This resulted in a calibrated WCM-Ulaby model for each sensor-polarization-phenology-biomass combination. Validation of model retrievals led to promising results. RADARSAT-2 (HH-HV) estimated total wheat biomass with root mean square (RMSE) and mean average (MAE) errors of 78.834 g/m² and 58.438 g/m²; soil moisture with errors of 0.078 m³/m³ (RMSE) and 0.065 m³/m³ (MAE) are reported. During the period of crop ripening, L-band estimates of soil moisture had accuracies of 0.064 m³/m³ (RMSE) and 0.057 m³/m³ (MAE). RADARSAT-2 (VV-HV) produced interesting results for retrieval of the biomass of the wheat heads. In this particular case, the biomass of the heads was estimated with accuracies of 38.757 g/m² (RSME) and 33.152 g/m² (MAE). For wider implementation this model will require additional data to strengthen the model accuracy and confirm estimation performance. Nevertheless this study encourages further research given the importance of wheat as a global commodity, the challenge of cloud cover in optical monitoring and the potential of direct estimation of the weight of heads where wheat production lies.