Study of fractional vegetation cover using high spectral resolution data

A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of vegetation cover on soil spectra and relationship of spectral indices with vegetation cover. Multi-date spectral measurements were carried out on twelve wheat fields. Five sets of measurements were taken during the growth period of wheat crop. Field reflectance data were collected in the range 350 to 1800 nm using ASD spectroradiometer. Analysis of data was done to select narrow spectral bands for estimation of ground cover. The ratio of reflectance from vegetation covered soil and reflectance from bare soil indicated that spectral reflectance at 670 and 710 nm are the most sensitive bands. Two bands in visible (670 and 560 nm), three bands in near infrared (710, 870 and 1100 nm) and three bands in middle infrared (1480, 1700 and 1800 nm) were found highly correlated with fractional cover. Vegetation indices developed using narrow band spectral data have been found to be better than those developed using broad- band data for estimation of ground cover.     

Effect of solar elevation on rice crop spectral response

In the present study the effect of solar elevation angle on the spectral response of rice crop was examined under farmer’s field conditions. The aim of the study is to see if band ratioing can reduce the effect of soiar elevation angle on rice crop spectral response. It was observed that the spectral transformations involving red and near infrared are highly useful in normalizing the effect of sun elevation when the canopy cover is complete. Contrary to this, the spectral transformation could not normalize the effect of sun elevation on the spectral response of rice crop when the canopy cover is incomplete.     

Assessing ground cover at patch and hillslope scale in semi-arid woody vegetation and pasture using fused Quickbird data

The amount and distribution of vegetation and ground cover are important factors that influence resource transfer (e.g. runoff, sediment) in patterned semi-arid landscapes. Identifying and describing these features in detail is an essential part of measuring and understanding ecohydrological processes at hillslope scales that can then be applied at broader scales. The aim of this study was to develop a comprehensive methodology to map ground cover using high resolution Quickbird imagery in woody and non-woody (pasture) vegetation. The specific goals were to: (1) investigate the use of several techniques of image fusion, namely principal components analysis (PCA), Brovey transform, modified intensity-hue-saturation (MIHS) and wavelet transform to increase the spatial detail of multispectral Quickbird data; (2) evaluate the performance of the red and near-infra-red bands (NIR), the difference vegetation index (DVI), and the normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI) in estimating ground cover, and (3) map and assess spatial and temporal changes in ground cover at hillslope scale using the most appropriate method or combination of methods. Estimates of ground cover from the imagery were compared with a subset of observed ground cover estimates to determine map accuracy. The MIHS algorithm produced images that best preserved spectral and spatial integrity, while the red band fused with the panchromatic band produced the most accurate ground cover maps. The patch size of the ground cover beneath canopies was similar to canopy size, and percent ground cover (mainly litter) increased with canopy size. Ground cover was mapped with relative accuracies of 84% in the woody vegetation and 86% in the pasture. From 2008 to 2009, ground cover increased from 55% to 65% in the woody vegetation and from 40% to 45% in the pasture. These ground cover maps can be used to explore the spatial ecohydrological interactions between areas of different ground cover at hillslope scale with application to management at broader scales.     

光谱先验知识在植被结构遥感反演中的应用

针对绿色植被反射光谱的特点，指出植被反射光谱曲线的相对位置关系可以作为先验知识应用到对植被结构的反演中，提出了在绿光、红光和近红外波段重新构造光谱参数，并利用波段差值和比值描述光谱先验知识进而反演树冠结构参数的方法。经大量的模拟反演及统计分析表明，相对于各波段单独反演再对结构参数平均的方法，该方法的抗噪声能力 得到了明显的增强。对实测反射率数据的反演发现，引入光谱先验知识后的结果更为接近测量值。     

多时相MODIS影像水田信息提取研究

水稻种植及其分布信息是土地覆被变化、作物估产、甲烷排放、粮食安全和水资源管理分析的重要数据源。基于遥感的水田利用监测中,通常采用时序NDVI植被指数法和影像分类法分别进行AVHRR和TM影像的水田信息获取。针对8天合成MODIS陆地表面反射比数据的特点和水稻生长特征,选取水稻种植前的休耕期、秧苗移植期、秧苗生长期和成熟期等多时相MODIS地表反射率影像数据,通过归一化植被指数、增强植被指数及利用对土壤湿度和植被水分含量较敏感的短波红外波段计算得到的陆表水指数进行水田信息获取。将提取结果与基于ETM＋影像的国土资源调查水田数据,通过网格化计算处理并进行对比分析,结果表明,利用MODIS影像的8天合成地表反射率数据,进行区域甚至全国的水田利用监测是可行的。     

不同传感器的模拟植被指数对水稻叶面积指数的估测精度和敏感性分析

本研究利用水稻冠层高光谱数据,模拟NOAA-AVHRR,Terra-MODIS和Landsat-TM的可见光波段反射率数据,计算各传感器的多种植被指数(NDVI,RVI,EVI,GNDVI,GRVI和Red-edge RVI),比较植被指数模型对水稻LAI的估测精度,分析不同植被指数对LAI变化的敏感性.相对于红波段植被指数,红边比值植被指数(Red-edge RVI)和绿波段指数GRVI与LAI有更好的线性相关关系,而GNDVI和LAI呈现更好的对数相关关系.MODIS的Red-edge RVI指数不仅模型拟合的精度最高,还有独立数据验证的估测精度也最高,而且它的验证精度较拟合精度下降幅度最小;其次是绿波段构建的GNDVI和GRVI植被指数的估测精度,再次是NDVI和EVI的估测精度,而RVI的估测精度最差.敏感性分析发现,13个植被指数对水稻LAI的估测能力都随着LAI的增加而下降,但归一化类植被指数和比值类植被指数对LAI变化反应的差异明显,归一化类植被指数在LAI较低时(LAI<1.5)对LAI变化的反应开始非常敏感,但迅速下降,而比值类植被指数在LAI较低时,明显小于归一化类植被指数,之后随着LAI的增大(LAI>1.5)比值类植被指数对LAI的变化敏感性,则明显高于归一化类植被指数.Red-edge RVI和绿波段指数GRVI和LAI不仅表现了很好的线性相关关系,而且在LAI大于2.9左右保持较高的敏感性.     

Spatially Located Platform and Aerial Photography for Documentation of Grazing Impacts on Wheat

Abstract

Goose populations that winter in Oregon's Lower Willamette Valley have increased from 25 000 to more than 250 000 birds in the last 25 years, resulting in heavy grazing of wheat and other crops. To map and document the extent and intensity of goose impacts on wheat fields, we combined rectified aerial photography with both globally positioned ground observations and vertical platform photographs. Aerial photos revealed areas of fields with sparse wheat cover while platform photos documented the cause. We estimated wheat cover in ground level photographs by ratioing red, green and blue digital numbers. From platform photographs we recorded occurrence of grazing (from grazed leaf tips), intensity of grazing (from residual plant cover and leaf length), and other indicators of goose use (footprints and droppings). Because the ground photographs were spatially positioned, we could use this information to verify the cause of “thin” wheat. Crop damage from grazing/trampling, water submergence, and other factors was evident. Our results illustrate practical ways to combine aerial and ground‐level image analysis, spectral observations, and global positioning systems to quantify field conditions in wheat.     

Earth observations during space shuttle flight STS‐41: Discovery's mission to planet earth

Abstract

Multi‐temporal ERS‐1 SAR data acquired over a large agricultural region in West Bengal was used to classify kharif crops like rice, jute and sugarcane. Rice crop grown under lowland management practice showed a temporal characteristic. The dynamic range of backscatter was highest for this crop in temporal SAR data. This was used to classify rice using temporal SAR data. Such temporal character was not observed for the other study crops, which may be due to the difference in cultivation practice and crop calendar. Significant increase in backscatter from the ploughed fields was used to derive information on onset and duration of land preparations. Synergistic use of optical remote sensing data and SAR data increased the separability of rice crop from homesteads and permanent vegetation classes.     

Comparative spatio-spectral heterogeneity analysis using multispectral and hyperspectral airborne images

Knowledge of spatio-spectral heterogeneity within multisensor remote sensing images across visible, near-infrared and short wave infrared spectra is important. Till now, little comparative research on spatio-spectral heterogeneity has been conducted on real multisensor images, especially on both multispectral and hyperspectral airborne images. In this study, four airborne images, Airborne Thematic Mapper, Compact Airborne Spectrographic Imager, Specim AISA Eagle and AISI Hawk hyperspectral airborne images of woodland and heath landscapes at Harwood, UK, were applied to quantify and evaluate the differences in spatial heterogeneity through semivariogram modelling. Results revealed that spatial heterogeneity of multisensor airborne images has a close relationship with spatial and spectral resolution and wavelength. Within the visible, near-infrared spectra and short wave infrared spectra, greater spatial heterogeneity is generally observed from the relatively longer wavelength in short wave infrared spectra. There are dramatic changes across the red and red edge spectra, and the peak value is generally examined in the red middle or red edge wavelength across the visible and near-infrared spectra for vegetation or non-vegetation landscape respectively. In all, for real multisensor airborne images, the change in spatial heterogeneity with spatial resolution will accord with the change of support theory depending on whether dramatic change exists across the corresponding wavelength. Besides, if with close spatial resolution, the spatial heterogeneity of multispectral images might be far from the overall integration of these bands from the hyperspectral images involved. A comparative assessment of spatio-spectral heterogeneity using real hyperspectral and multispectral airborne images provides practical guidance for designing the placement and width of a spectral band for different applications and also makes a contribution to the understanding of how to reconcile spatial patterns generated by multisensors.     

Is it possible to discern Striga weed (Striga hermonthica) infestation levels in maize agro-ecological systems using in-situ spectroscopy?

The invasion by Striga in most cereal crop fields in Africa has posed a significant threat to food security and has caused substantial socioeconomic losses. Hyperspectral remote sensing is an effective means to discriminate plant species, providing possibilities to track such weed invasions and improve precision agriculture. However, essential baseline information using remotely sensed data is missing, specifically for the Striga weed in Africa. In this study, we investigated the spectral uniqueness of Striga compared to other co-occurring maize crops and weeds. We used the in-situ FieldSpec® Handheld 2™ analytical spectral device (ASD), hyperspectral data and their respective narrow-band indices in the visible and near infrared (VNIR) region of the electromagnetic spectrum (EMS) and four machine learning discriminant algorithms (i.e. random forest: RF, linear discriminant analysis: LDA, gradient boosting: GB and support vector machines: SVM) to discriminate among different levels of Striga (Striga hermonthica) infestations in maize fields in western Kenya. We also tested the utility of Sentinel-2 waveband configurations to map and discriminate Striga infestation in heterogenous cereal crop fields. The in-situ hyperspectral reflectance data were resampled to the spectral waveband configurations of Sentinel-2 using published spectral response functions. We sampled and detected seven Striga infestation classes based on three flowering Striga classes (low, moderate and high) against two background endmembers (soil and a mixture of maize and other co-occurring weeds). A guided regularized random forest (GRRF) algorithm was used to select the most relevant hyperspectral wavebands and vegetation indices (VIs) as well as for the resampled Sentinel-2 multispectral wavebands for Striga infestation discrimination. The performance of the four discriminant algorithms was compared using classification accuracy assessment metrics. We were able to positively discriminate Striga from the two background endmembers i.e. soil and co-occurring vegetation (maize and co-occurring weeds) based on the few GRRF selected hyperspectral vegetation indices and the GRRF selected resampled Sentinel-2 multispectral bands. RF outperformed all the other discriminant methods and produced the highest overall accuracy of 91% and 85%, using the hyperspectral and resampled Sentinel-2 multispectral wavebands, respectively, across the four different discriminant models tested in this study. The class with the highest detection accuracy across all the four discriminant algorithms, was the “exclusively maize and other co-occurring weeds” (>70%). The GRRF reduced the dimensionality of the hyperspectral data and selected only 9 most relevant wavebands out of 750 wavebands, 6 VIs out of 15 and 6 out of 10 resampled Sentinel-2 multispectral wavebands for discriminating among the Striga and co-occurring classes. Resampled Sentinel-2 multispectral wavebands 3 (green) and 4 (red) were the most crucial for Striga detection. The use of the most relevant hyperspectral features (i.e. wavebands and VIs) significantly (p ≤ 0.05) increased the overall classification accuracy and Kappa scores (±5% and ±0.2, respectively) in all the machine learning discriminant models. Our results show the potential of hyperspectral, resampled Sentinel-2 multispectral datasets and machine learning discriminant algorithms as a tool to accurately discern Striga in heterogenous maize agro-ecological systems.     

Dry-season vegetation mass and cover fraction from SWIR1.6 and SWIR2.1 band ratio: Ground-radiometer and MODIS data in the Sahel

The potential of the short-wave infrared (SWIR) bands to detect dry-season vegetation mass and cover fraction is investigated with ground radiometry and MODIS data, confronted to vegetation data collected in rangeland and cropland sites in the Sahel (Senegal, Niger, Mali). The ratio of the 1.6 and 2.1 μm bands (called STI) acquired with a ground radiometer proved well suited for grassland mass estimation up to 2500 kg/ha with a linear relation (r² = 0.89). A curvilinear regression is accurate for masses ranging up to 3500 kg/ha. STI proved also well suited to retrieve vegetation cover fraction in crop fields, fallows and rangelands. Such dry-season monitoring, with either ground or satellite data, has important applications for forage, erosion risk and fire risk assessment in semi-arid areas.     

Interpretation and analysis of multispectral data for aricultural crop cover types-role of crop spectral response and crop sectral signature

Airborne multispectral data obtained over mono and multiple cropping systems of small farming agriculture was studied for two cropping seasons for a possible development of crop spectral signatures and to utilize such signatures for interpretation of multispectral data and for assessing agricultural potentials of a region. In multiple cropping system, the unique crop spectral response exhibited by crop species at specific growth stages facilitated interpretation and analysis of multispectral data with the knowledge of crop phenology. For resolving spectral confusion between crop species due to growtn stages of different crop species, temporal data were observed to be useful. Development and use of crop spectral sigrature for interpretation and analysis multispectral data related to mono cropping system were found to be relatively less complex and offer great promise because of minimum spectral confusion.     

Inferred leaf senescence of rice crop and its relationship with grain yield

The possibility of detecting change in green cover of rice crop and its relationship with the grain yield was studied using the spectral data collected by an airborne scanner. The spectral data in the form of difference in vegetation index over a 35 day interval, from the time of flowering, was observed to show good relationship between change of green cover (a measure of degree of senescence) and grain yield.     

Assessment of crop growth parameters of wheat under stress condition through ground based spectral data

A field experiment was conducted on wheat crop during rabi seasons of 1995–96, 1996–97 and 1997–98 to study the spectral response of wheat crop (between 490 to 1080 nm) under water and nutrient stress condition. An indigenously developed ground truth radiometer having narrow band in visible and near infrared region (490 – 1080 nm) was used. Vegetation indices derived using different band combinations and related to crop growth parameters. The near infrared spectral region of 710 – 1025 nm was found most important for monitoring stress condition. Relationship has been developed between crop growth parameters and vegetation indices. Leaf Area Index (LAI) and chlorophyll could be predicted by knowing different reflectance ratios at milking stage of crop with R² value of 0.78 and 0.89, respectively. Dry biomass (DBM), Plant Water Content (PWC) and grain yield are also significantly related with reflectance ratios at flowering stage of crop with R² value of 0.90, 0.98 and 0.74, respectively.     

Estimation of Sugar Beet Aboveground Biomass by Band Depth Optimization of Hyperspectral Canopy Reflectance

Aboveground biomass of sugar beet influences tuber growth and sugar accumulation. Thus, accurate, rapid, and non-destructive technique of biomass estimation is important to optimize the crop management practices to attain the required aboveground biomass to support high tuber yields and optimal sugar content. The current research aimed to evaluate the performance of hyperspectral indices and band depth analysis, to remotely assess the aboveground biomass in sugar beet. The biomass and hyperspectral reflectance were collected at different growth stages in experimental and farmers’ fields. The model development was based on sugar beet plants sampled at various times during the growing period subject to seven nitrogen rates. The results showed that accuracy of biomass estimation was greater when using vegetation indices involving red edge bands (680–740 nm) as compared to that using the red light-based indices. Four types of optimized band depth information (band depth, band depth ratio, normalized band depth index, and band depth normalized to band area) involving the red edge further increased the accuracy of biomass estimation. This study demonstrated as the sugar beet biomass increased towards later growing period, biomass estimation using red light-based vegetation indices were less accurate as compared to that using band depth analysis in the vicinity of the red edge.     

Spectral response of maize at different growth stages

Maize crop was sown at weekly intervals on six dates in a randomized replicated trial under nonlimiting moisture conditions. The different dates of sowing represent different growth stages in the same given environment. Spectral data were collected using a portable radiometer at different wavelengths, ranging form visible to infrared on two different dates. The spectral reflectance data in the red and infrared region were analysed for their sensitivity to leaf area index and leaf dry biomass. During active crop growth period significant correlations existed between leaf area index and ratio of infrared to red as well as the normalized differences. Similar relationships were also observed between dry biomass and spectral data. However, these relationships were found to be valid upto the crop growth stage when the leaf area index has reached its maximum, corresponding to flowering. Beyond this stage, the spectral reflectances were found to be not related to LAI. The relsults suggest the possibility of obtaining crop phenological information from the spectral response data.     

高光谱反演水稻叶面积指数的主成分分析法

为了通过水稻冠层反射光谱来提取水稻叶面积指数信息，尝试利用辐射传输模型PROSPECT+SAIL来模拟水稻冠层反射光谱， 比较了各植被指数中叶面积指数(LAI)和叶绿素浓度的相关性。在观察光谱曲线后发现，红边位置光谱可以较好地区分LAI和叶绿素 浓度二者引起光谱变化的差异。由此提出对700 nm~750 nm区间内的反射光谱做主成分变换，并利用第2主成分与LAI建立反演模型( 即主成分分析法)，取得了较好效果，表明在植被指数趋近于饱和以至于无法区分二者相关性时，主成分分析法可以作为一种简单 而有效提取水稻叶面积指数信息的补充手段。     

The assimilation of spectral sensing and the WOFOST model for the dynamic simulation of cadmium accumulation in rice tissues

The accurate detection of heavy metal-induced stress on crop growth is important for food security and agricultural, ecological and environmental protection. Spectral sensing offers an efficient and undamaged observation tool to monitor soil and vegetation contamination. This study proposed a methodology for dynamically estimating the total cadmium (Cd) accumulation in rice tissues by assimilating spectral information into WOFOST (World Food Study) model. Based on the differences among ground hyperspectral data of rice in three experiments fields under different Cd concentration levels, the spectral indices MCARI1, NREP and RH were selected to reflect the rice stress condition and dry matter production of rice. With assimilating these sensitive spectral indices into the WOFOST + PROSPECT + SAIL model to optimize the Cd pollution stress factor f_wi, the dynamic dry matter production processes of rice were adjusted. Based on the relation between dry matter production and Cd accumulation, we dynamically simulating the Cd accumulation in rice tissues. The results showed that the method performed well in dynamically estimating the total amount of Cd accumulation in rice tissues with R² over 85%. This study suggests that the proposed method of integrating the spectral information and the crop growth model could successfully dynamically simulate the Cd accumulation in rice tissues.     

Detection and mapping of maize streak virus using RapidEye satellite imagery

The aim of this study was to detect and map MSV using RapidEye multispectral sensor in Ofcolaco farm. To achieve this objective, the acquired RapidEye sensor was classified using the robust Random Forest algorithm. Furthermore, the variable importance technique was used to determine the influence of each spectral band and indices on the mapping accuracy. For better performance of image data, the value of the commonly used vegetation indices in improving the classification accuracy was tested. The results revealed that the use of RapidEye spectral bands in detection and mapping of MSV yielded good classification results with an overall accuracy of 82.75%. The inclusion of vegetation indices computed from RapidEye sensor improved the classification accuracies by 3.4%. The most important RapidEye spectral bands in classifying MSV were near infrared, blue and red-edge. On the other hand, the most important vegetation indices were the Soil adjusted vegetation index, Enhanced vegetation index, Red index and Normalized Vegetation Index. The current study recommends future studies to assess the importance of multi-temporal remote sensing applications in detecting and monitoring the spread of MSV.     

水稻生长期微波介电特性研究

利用植被介电常数的Debye-Cole双频色散模型，模拟计算了广东肇庆水稻试验区1996年晚稻和1997年早稻人插秧期、发蘖期、扬花期到成熟期各生长期的介电常数值，并根据计算结果，探讨了电磁波频率、水稻含水量、温度、含盐度及水稻冠层干体密度对介电常数的影响。其中，不同生长期水稻的介电常数各不相同，不同水稻类型（早稻和晚稻），介电常数的变化趋势不尽相同。电磁波频率、水稻含水量、温度和水稻冠层干体密度均对介电常数有不同程度的影响，而含盐度却对介电常数影响不大。