Use of Field Spectroscopy for Exploring the Impact of Atmospheric Effects on Landsat 5 TM/7 ETM+ Satellite Images Intended for Hydrological Purposes in Cyprus

The spectroradiometric retrieved reflectance of a local crop, namely, beans (Phaseolus vulgaris), is directly compared to the reflectance of Landsat 5TM and 7ETM+ atmospherically corrected and uncorrected satellite images. Also, vegetation indices from the same satellite images—atmospherically corrected and uncorrected—are compared with the corresponding vegetation indices produced from field measurements using a spectroradiometer. Vegetation Indices are vital in the estimation of crop evapotransiration under standard conditions (ET_c) because they are used in stochastic or empirical models for describing crop canopy parameters such as the Leaf Area Index (LAI) or crop height. ET_c is finally determined using the FAO Penman-Monteith method adapted to satellite data, and is used to examine the impact of atmospheric effects. Regarding the reflectance comparison, the main problem was observed in Band 4 of Landsat 5TM and 7ETM+, where the difference, for uncorrected images, was more than 20% and statistically significant. Results regarding ET_c show that omission or ineffective atmospheric corrections in Landsat 5TM,/7ETM+ satellite images always results in a water deficit when estimating crop water demand. Diminished estimated crop water requirements can result in a reduction in output or, if critical, crop failure. The paper seeks to illustrate the importance of removing atmospheric effects from satellite images designated for hydrological purposes.