Non-photosynthetic vegetation biomass estimation in semiarid Canadian mixed grasslands using ground hyperspectral data,Landsat 8 OLI,and Sentinel-2 images

ABSTRACT

Research on quantifying non-photosynthetic vegetation (NPV) with optical remote-sensing approaches has been focusing on optically distinguishing NPV from green vegetation and bare soil. With a very similar spectral response curve to NPV, dry moss is a significant component in semiarid mixed grasslands and plays a large role in NPV estimation. However, limited attention has been paid to this role. We investigated the potential of optical remote sensing to distinguish NPV biomass in semiarid grasslands characterized by NPV, biological soil crust dominated by moss and lichen, and bare soil. First, hyperspectral spectral indices were examined to determine the most useful spectral wavelength regions for NPV biomass estimation. Second, multispectral red-edge indices and shortwave infrared (SWIR) indices were simulated based on Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager (OLI) and Sentinel-2A MultiSpectral Instrument band reflectance, respectively, to determine the most suitable multispectral indices for NPV estimation. The potential multispectral indices were then applied to Landsat 8 OLI images and Sentinel-2A images acquired in early, middle, peak, and early senescence growing seasons to investigate the potential of satellite images for quantifying NPV biomass. Our results indicated that hyperspectral red-edge indices, modified simple ratio, modified red-edge normalized difference vegetation index (mNDVI₇₀₅), and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI₇₀₅) are better than the SWIR hyperspectral indices, including cellulose absorption index for quantifying NPV biomass. The simulated multispectral red-edge spectral indices (NDVI_red-edge and mNDVI_red-edge) demonstrate good and comparable performance on quantifying NPV biomass with SWIR multispectral indices (normalized difference index [NDI5 and NDI7] and soil-adjusted corn residue index). Nevertheless, the multispectral indices derived from Landsat 8 OLI and Sentinel-2 images have limited potential for NPV biomass estimation.     

A Review on Estimating Fractional Cover of Non-photosynthetic Vegetation by Using Remote Sensing

The quantitative estimation of fractional cover of photosynthetic vegetation(f PV),non-photosynthetic vegetation(f NPV),and bare soil(f BS) is critical for grassland ecosystem carbon storage,vegetation productivity,soil erosion and wildfire monitoring.The ecological importance of NPV has driven considerable research on quantitatively estimating NPV in diverse ecosystems including croplands,forests,grasslands savannah,and shrublands using remote sensing.This paper reviews the research progress in estimating f NPV using hyperspectral and multisspcetral remote sensing data,and hightlights discusses the theoretical bases of PV,NPV and BS spectral characteristics.based on the existing methods for estimating f NPV,this article groupd into two categories:empirical relationship between spectral index and NPV cover,and Spectral mixture analysis.Meanwhile,also discuss applications.of hyperspectral and multisspcetral remote sensing data.Finally,the existential problems and research trends for NPV estimation are analyzed.     

Comparison of fire temperature and fractional area modeled from SWIR, MIR, and TIR multispectral and SWIR hyperspectral airborne data

Spectral mixture modeling has previously been used to retrieve fire temperature and fractional area from multiband radiance data containing emitted radiance from fires. While this type of temperature modeling has potential for improving understanding of fire behavior and emissions, modeled temperature and fractional area may depend on the wavelength region used for modeling. Using airborne hyperspectral (Airborne Visible Infrared Imaging Spectrometer; AVIRIS) and multispectral (MODIS/ASTER Airborne Simulator; MASTER) data acquired simultaneously over the 2008 Indians Fire in California, we examined changes in modeled fire temperature and fractional area that occurred when input wavelength regions were varied. Temperature and fractional area modeled from multiple MASTER runs were directly compared. Incompatible spatial resolutions prevented direct comparison of the AVIRIS and MASTER model runs, so total area modeled at each temperature was used to indirectly compare temperature and fractional area retrieved from these two sensors. AVIRIS and MASTER model runs using shortwave infrared (SWIR) bands produced consistent fire temperatures and fractional areas when modeled temperatures exceeded 800 K. Temperatures and fire fractional areas were poorly correlated for temperatures below 800 K and when the SWIR bands were excluded as model inputs. The single temperature blackbody assumption commonly used in mixing model retrieval of fire temperature is potentially useful for modeling higher temperature fires, but is likely not valid for lower temperature smoldering combustion due to mixed radiance from multiple fuel elements combusting at different temperatures. SWIR data contain limited emitted radiance from combustion at lower temperatures, and are thus essential for consistent modeling of fire temperature and fractional area at higher fire temperatures.     

Relationships between vegetation indices,fractional cover retrievals and the structure and composition of Brazilian Cerrado natural vegetation

This study explores the use of the relationship between the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and the shortwave infrared ratio (SWIR32) vegetation indices (VI) to retrieve fractional cover over the structurally complex natural vegetation of the Cerrado of Brazil using a time series of imagery from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS). Data from the EO-1 Hyperion sensor with 30 m pixel resolution is used to sample geographic and seasonal variation in NDVI, SWIR32, and the hyperspectral cellulose absorption index (CAI), and to derive end-member values for photosynthetic vegetation (PV), non-photosynthetic vegetation (NPV), and bare soil (BS) from a suite of protected and/or natural vegetation sites across the Cerrado. The end-members derived from relatively pure 30 m pixels are then applied to a 500 m pixel resolution MODIS time series using linear spectral unmixing to retrieve PV, NPV, and BS fractional cover (F_PV, F_NPV, and F_BS). The two-way interaction response of MODIS-equivalent NDVI and SWIR32 was examined for regions of interest (ROI) collected within protected areas and nearby converted lands. The MODIS NDVI, SWIR32 and retrieved F_PV, F_NPV, and F_BS are then compared to detailed cover and structural composition data from field sites, and the influence of the structural and compositional variation on the VIs and cover fractions is explored. The hyperion ROI analysis indicated that the two-way NDVI–SWIR32 response behaved as an effective surrogate for the two-way NDVI–CAI response for the campo limpo/grazed pasture to cerrado sensu stricto woody gradient. The SWIR32 sensitivity to the NPV and BS variation increased as the dry season progressed, but Cerrado savannah exhibited limited dynamic range in the NDVI–CAI and NDVI–SWIR32 two-way responses compared to the entire landscape, which also comprises fallow croplands and forests. Validation analysis of MODIS retrievals with Quickbird-2 images produced an RMSE value of 0.13 for F_PV. However, the RMSE values of 0.16 and 0.18 for F_BS and F_NPV, respectively, were large relative to the seasonal and inter-annual variation. Analysis of site composition and structural data in relation to the MODIS-derived NDVI, SWIR32 and F_PV, F_NPV, and F_BS, indicated that the VI signal and derived cover fractions were influenced by a complex mix of structure and cover but included a strong year-to-year seasonal effect. Therefore, although the MODIS NDVI–SWIR32 response could be used to retrieve cover fractions across all Cerrado land covers including bare cropland, pastures and forests, sensitivity may be limited within the natural Cerrado due to sub-pixel heterogeneity and limited BS and NPV sensitivity.     

Spectral indices for estimating ecological indicators of karst rocky desertification

Karst rocky desertification is a process of land desertification associated with human disturbance of the fragile eco-geological setting of karst ecosystems. The fractional cover of photosynthetic vegetation (PV), non-photosynthetic vegetation (NPV), bare soil and exposed bedrock are key ecological indicators of the extent and degree of land degradation in karst regions. In this study, field spectral-reflectance measurements were used to develop a karst rocky desertification synthesis index (KRDSI) based on unique spectral features observed in non-vegetation land-cover types (NPV, bare soil and exposed bedrock) and were used to estimate the fractional cover of NPV, bare soil and exposed bedrock. Compared with linear spectral unmixing (LSU) using a tied-spectrum transform, the KRDSI is more consistent with the field measurement of non-vegetation land-cover fractions. This study indicates that ecological indicators of karst rocky desertification can be extracted relatively simply with the combination of vegetation indices and KRDSI values.     

Development of new remote sensing methods for mapping green vegetation and exposed bedrock fractions within heterogeneous landscapes

Karst rocky desertification is a process of land desertification associated with human disturbance of the fragile karst ecosystems. The fractional cover of photosynthetic vegetation (PV) and exposed bedrock (Rock) are the main land-surface symptoms of karst rocky desertification. In this study, we explored a new methodology for quantifying PV and Rock by remote sensing. To reduce the effects of the high heterogeneity of karst landscapes on vegetation information extraction, a whole image was segmented into relatively homogeneous subsets and then the PV was estimated using a normalized difference vegetation index spectral mixture analysis (NDVI-SMA) model. The percentage of Rock was estimated using a karst rocky desertification synthesis index (KRDSI) and lignin cellulose absorption index (LCA). The results showed that the heterogeneity of a complex landscape is a major factor in the uncertainty of PV retrievals. The fractional cover of PV can be accurately estimated by the proposed method, but might be underestimated using NDVI and overestimated using the SMA-NDVI model. The bedrock fractions can be rapidly and objectively estimated with Hyperion or simulated Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) imagery. Compared with multispectral images, hyperspectral images could be used to estimate PV and Rock more accurately. Our findings indicate that PV and Rock can be directly and efficiently quantified using remote sensing techniques within heterogeneous landscapes.     

Capabilities of remote sensors to classify coral, algae, and sand as pure and mixed spectra

We investigate the abilities of seven remote sensors to classify coral, algae, and carbonate sand based on 10,632 reflectance spectra measured in situ on reefs around the world. Discriminant and classification analyses demonstrate that full-resolution (1 nm) spectra provide very good spectral separation of the bottom-types. We assess the spectral capabilities of the sensors by applying to the in situ spectra the spectral responses of two airborne hyperspectral sensors (AAHIS and AVIRIS), three satellite broadband multispectral sensors (Ikonos, Landsat-ETM+ and SPOT-HRV), and two hypothetical satellite narrowband multispectral sensors (Proto and CRESPO). Classification analyses of the simulated sensor-specific spectra produce overall classification accuracy rates of 98%, 98%, 93%, 91%, 64%, 58%, and 50% for AAHIS, AVIRIS, Proto, CRESPO, Ikonos, Landsat-ETM+, and SPOT-HRV, respectively. Analyses of linearly mixed sensor-specific spectra reveal that the hyperspectral and narrowband multispectral sensors have the ability to discriminate between coral and algae across many levels of mixing, while the broadband multispectral sensors do not. Applying the results of the general mixing analyses to a specific spatial organization of coral, algae, and sand indicates that the hyperspectral sensors accurately estimate areal cover of the bottom-types regardless of pixel resolution. The narrowband multispectral sensors overestimate coral cover by 11-15%, while the broadband sensors underestimate algae cover by 7-29% and overestimate coral cover by 24-103%. We conclude that currently available satellite sensors are inadequate for assessment of global coral reef status, but that it is both necessary and possible to design a sensor system suited to the task.     

Estimating fractional cover of photosynthetic vegetation, non-photosynthetic vegetation and bare soil in the Australian tropical savanna region upscaling the EO-1 Hyperion and MODIS sensors

Quantitative estimation of fractional cover of photosynthetic vegetation (f_PV), non-photosynthetic vegetation (f_NPV) and bare soil (f_BS) is critical for natural resource management and for modeling carbon dynamics. Accurate estimation of fractional cover is especially important for monitoring and modeling savanna systems, subject to highly seasonal rainfall and drought, grazing by domestic and native animals, and frequent burning. This paper describes a method for resolving f_PV, f_NPV and f_BS across the ~ 2 million km² Australian tropical savanna zone with hyperspectral and multispectral imagery. A spectral library compiled from field campaigns in 2005 and 2006, together with three EO-1 Hyperion scenes acquired during the 2005 growing season were used to explore the spectral response space for f_PV, f_NPV and f_BS. A linear unmixing approach was developed using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and the Cellulose Absorption Index (CAI). Translation of this approach to MODerate resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) scale was assessed by comparing multiple linear regression models of NDVI and CAI with a range of indices based on the seven MODIS bands in the visible and shortwave infrared region (SWIR) using synthesized MODIS surface reflectance data on the same dates as the Hyperion acquisitions. The best resulting model, which used NDVI and the simple ratio of MODIS bands 7 and 6 (SWIR3/SWIR2), was used to generate a time series of fractional cover from 16 day MODIS nadir bidirectional reflectance distribution function-adjusted reflectance (NBAR) data from 2000-2006. The results obtained with MODIS NBAR were validated against grass curing measurement at ten sites with good agreement at six sites, but some underestimation of f_NPV proportions at four other sites due to substantial sub-pixel heterogeneity. The model was also compared with remote sensing measurements of fire scars and showed a good matching in the spatio-temporal patterns of grass senescence and posterior burning. The fractional cover profiles for major grassland cover types showed significant differences in relative proportions of f_PV, f_NPV and f_BS, as well as large intra-annual seasonal variation in response to monsoonal rainfall gradients and soil type. The methodology proposed here can be applied to other mixed tree-grass ecosystems across the world.     

Spectral indices for lithologic discrimination and mapping by using the ASTER SWIR bands

The Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) is a research facility instrument launched on NASA's Terra spacecraft in December 1999. Spectral indices, a kind of orthogonal transformation in the five-dimensional space formed by the five ASTER short-wave-infrared (SWIR) bands, were proposed for discrimination and mapping of surface rock types. These include Alunite Index, Kaolinite Index, Calcite Index, and Montmorillonite Index, and can be calculated by linear combination of reflectance values of the five SWIR bands. The transform coefficients were determined so as to direct transform axes to the average spectral pattern of the typical minerals. The spectral indices were applied to the simulated ASTER dataset of Cuprite, Nevada, USA after converting its digital numbers to surface reflectance. The resultant spectral index images were useful for lithologic mapping and were easy to interpret geologically. An advantage of this method is that we can use the pre-determined transform coefficients, as long as image data are converted to surface reflectance.     

Dynamics of the relationship between NDVI and SWIR32 vegetation indices in southern Africa: implications for retrieval of fractional cover from MODIS data

Fractional cover of photosynthetic vegetation (F_PV), non-photosynthetic vegetation (F_NPV), and bare soil (F_BS) has been retrieved for Australian tropical savannah based on linear unmixing of the two-dimensional response envelope of the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and short wave infrared ratio (SWIR)32 vegetation indices (VI) derived from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) reflectance data. The approach assumes that cover fractions are made up of a simple mixture of green leaves, senescent leaves, and bare soil. In this study, we examine retrieval of fractional cover using this approach for a study area in southern Africa with a more complex vegetation structure. Region-specific end-members were defined using Hyperion images from different locations and times of the season. These end-members were applied to a 10-year time series of MODIS-derived NDVI and SWIR32 (from 2002 to 2011) to unmix F_PV, F_NPV, and F_BS. Results of validation with classified high-resolution imagery indicated major bias in estimation of F_NPV and F_BS, with regression coefficients for predicted versus observed data substantially less than 1.0 and relatively large intercept values. Examination with Hyperion images of the inverse relationship between the MODIS-equivalent SWIR32 index and the Hyperion-derived cellulose absorption index (CAI) to which it nominally approximates revealed: (1) non-compliant positive regression coefficients for certain vegetation types; and (2) shifts in slope and intercept of compliant regression curves related to day of year and geographical location. The results suggest that the NDVI–SWIR32 response cannot be used to approximate the NDVI–CAI response in complex savannah systems like southern Africa that cannot be described as simple mixtures of green leaves, dry herbaceous material high in cellulose, and bare soil. Methods that use a complete set of multispectral channels at higher spatial resolution may be needed for accurate retrieval of fractional cover in Africa.     

Spectral mixture analyses of hyperspectral data acquired using a tethered balloon

Tethered balloon remote sensing platforms can be used to study radiometric issues in terrestrial ecosystems by effectively bridging the spatial gap between measurements made on the ground and those acquired via airplane or satellite. In this study, the Short Wave Aerostat-Mounted Imager (SWAMI) tethered balloon-mounted platform was utilized to evaluate linear and nonlinear spectral mixture analysis (SMA) for a grassland-conifer forest ecotone during the summer of 2003. Hyperspectral measurement of a 74-m diameter ground instantaneous field of view (GIFOV) attained by the SWAMI was studied. Hyperspectral spectra of four common endmembers, bare soil, grass, tree, and shadow, were collected in situ, and images captured via video camera were interpreted into accurate areal ground cover fractions for evaluating the mixture models. The comparison between the SWAMI spectrum and the spectrum derived by combining in situ spectral data with video-derived areal fractions indicated that nonlinear effects occurred in the near infrared (NIR) region, while nonlinear influences were minimal in the visible region. The evaluation of hyperspectral and multispectral mixture models indicated that nonlinear mixture model-derived areal fractions were sensitive to the model input data, while the linear mixture model performed more stably. Areal fractions of bare soil were overestimated in all models due to the increased radiance of bare soil resulting from side scattering of NIR radiation by adjacent grass and trees. Unmixing errors occurred mainly due to multiple scattering as well as close endmember spectral correlation. In addition, though an apparent endmember assemblage could be derived using linear approaches to yield low residual error, the tree and shade endmember fractions calculated using this technique were erroneous and therefore separate treatment of endmembers subject to high amounts of multiple scattering (i.e. shadows and trees) must be done with caution. Including the short wave infrared (SWIR) region in the hyperspectral and multispectral endmember data significantly reduced the Pearson correlation coefficient values among endmember spectra. Therefore, combination of visible, NIR, and SWIR information is likely to further improve the utility of SMA in understanding ecosystem structure and function and may help narrow uncertainties when utilizing remotely sensed data to extrapolate trace glas flux measurements from the canopy scale to the landscape scale.     

Identification of mineral components in tropical soils using reflectance spectroscopy and advanced spaceborne thermal emission and reflection radiometer (ASTER) data

Soil characteristics provide important support for understanding transformations that occur in environmental systems. Physical characteristics and chemical compositions of soils controlled by pedogenetic processes, climatic changes and land use imply different types of environmental transformations. Reflectance spectroscopy is an alternative soil mapping technique that uses spectral absorption features between visible (VIS) and short-wave infrared (SWIR) wavelengths (0.3-2.5 μm) for determining soil mineralogy. Soil analysis by means of reflectance spectroscopy and orbital optical sensors have provided favorable results in mapping transformation processes in environmental systems, particularly in arid and semiarid climates in extra-tropical terrains. In the case of inter-tropical environments, these methods cannot be readily applied due to local factors such as lack of exposed regolith, high amounts of soil moisture and the presence of dense vegetation. This study uses Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) and reflectance spectroscopy data to map mineral components of soils covering a part of the state of São Paulo, Brazil, which could be linked to key aspects of environmental transformations in this tropical area (e.g., climate change, shifts in agriculture fronts, ph, and soil characteristics). We collected forty-two (42) soil samples at a depth of 0-20 cm, considering that this superficial layer corresponds to the highest correlation with soil properties detected by the ASTER sensor. These samples were measured using a FieldSpec FR spectrometer, and the derived spectra were interpreted for mineral composition. Interpretation was supported by X-ray diffraction analysis on the same samples. The spectral signatures were re-sampled to ASTER VNIR (AST1-4: 0.52-0.86 μm) and SWIR (AST5-9: 1.60-2.43 μm) spectral bandwidths and validated by comparing reflectance spectra of field samples with those extracted from atmospherically corrected and calibrated ASTER pixels. The agreement between spectral signatures measured from soil samples and those derived from ASTER imagery pixels proved plausible, with R² correlation values ranging from 0.6493 to 0.7886. This signifies that diagnostic spectral features of key minerals in tropical soils can be mapped at the spectral resolution of 9-band ASTER VNIR through SWIR reflectance. We used these spectral signatures as end-members in hyperspectral routine classifications adapted for use with ASTER data. Results proved possible the identification and remote mapping of minerals such as kaolinite, montmorillonite and gibbsite, as well as the distinction between iron-rich and iron-poor soils.     

Relative spectral mixture analysis — A multitemporal index of total vegetation cover

A new multitemporal technique is presented that allows monitoring of vegetation dynamics in coarse multispectral remote sensing data. This technique, relative spectral mixture analysis (RSMA), provides information about the amount of green vegetation (GV), nonphotosynthetic vegetation (NPV) plus litter, and snow relative to a reference time. The RSMA indices of specific ground components are defined so that they are positive when the fractional cover of a ground component is greater than that at the reference time and negative when the fractional cover is less than that at the reference time. The rationale for the new technique and its mathematical underpinnings are discussed. Example RSMA timeseries from the southern-central United States are presented based on four years of MODIS MOD43 nadir BRDF adjusted reflectance (NBAR) data. This timeseries shows that the RSMA GV index, X_GV, is robust in the presence of snow. Spectral simulations show that X_GV is also robust with different soil backgrounds. The RSMA index of NPV/litter cover, X_NPV/litter, provides information about the dynamics of the nonphotosynthetic portion of organic matter at or above the surface. The RSMA index of total vegetation plus litter, X_TV, provides information about the dynamics of the non-soil/non-snow portion of ground cover. Because it mirrors the bare ground cover, X_TV may be particularly useful in remote sensing applications aimed at the study of soil erosion.     

Integrating visible,near-infrared and short-wave infrared hyperspectral and multispectral thermal imagery for geological mapping at Cuprite,Nevada: a rule-based system

Previous research has shown that integrating hyperspectral visible and near-infrared (VNIR) / short-wave infrared (SWIR) with multispectral thermal infrared (TIR) data can lead to improved mineral and rock identification. However, inconsistent results were found regarding the relative accuracies of different classification methods for dealing with the integrated data set. In this study, a rule-based system was developed for integration of VNIR/SWIR hyperspectral data with TIR multispectral data and evaluated using a case study of Cuprite, Nevada. Previous geological mapping, supplemented by field work and sample spectral measurements, was used to develop a generalized knowledge base for analysis of both spectral reflectance and spectral emissivity. The characteristic absorption features, albedo and the location of the spectral emissivity minimum were used to construct the decision rules. A continuum removal algorithm was used to identify absorption features from VNIR/SWIR hyperspectral data only; spectral angle mapper (SAM) and spectral feature fitting (SFF) algorithms were used to estimate the most likely rock type. The rule-based system was found to achieve a notably higher performance than the SAM, SFF, minimum distance and maximum likelihood classification methods on their own.     

Integrating visible, near-infrared and short-wave infrared hyperspectral and multispectral thermal imagery for geological mapping at Cuprite, Nevada

This study investigated the potential value of integrating hyperspectral visible, near-infrared, and short-wave infrared imagery with multispectral thermal data for geological mapping. Two coregistered aerial data sets of Cuprite, Nevada were used: Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS) hyperspectral data, and MODIS/ASTER Airborne Simulator (MASTER) multispectral thermal data. Four classification methods were each applied to AVIRIS, MASTER, and a combined set. Confusion matrices were used to assess the classification accuracy. The assessment showed, in terms of kappa coefficient, that most classification methods applied to the combined data achieved a marked improvement compared to the results using either AVIRIS or MASTER thermal infrared (TIR) data alone. Spectral angle mapper (SAM) showed the best overall classification performance. Minimum distance classification had the second best accuracy, followed by spectral feature fitting (SFF) and maximum likelihood classification. The results of the study showed that SFF applied to the combination of AVIRIS with MASTER TIR data are especially valuable for identification of silicified alteration and quartzite, both of which exhibit distinctive features in the TIR region. SAM showed some advantages over SFF in dealing with multispectral TIR data, obtaining higher accuracy in discriminating low albedo volcanic rocks and limestone which do not have unique, distinguishing features in the TIR region.     

Evaluating MODIS soil fractional cover for arid regions,using albedo from high-spatial resolution satellite imagery

Broad-scale high-temporal frequency satellite imagery is increasingly used for environmental monitoring. While the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) is the most commonly used index to track changes in vegetation cover, newer spectral mixture approaches aim to quantify sub-pixel fractions of photosynthesizing vegetation, non-photosynthesizing vegetation, and exposed soil. Validation of the unmixing products is essential to enable confident use of the products for management and decision-making. The most frequently used validation method is by field data collection, but this is very time consuming and costly, in particular in remote regions where access is difficult.

This study developed and demonstrates an alternative method for quantifying land-cover fractions using high-spatial resolution satellite imagery. The research aimed to evaluate the bare soil fraction in a sub-pixel product, MODIS Fract-G, for the natural arid landscapes of the far west of South Australia. Twenty-two sample regions, of 3400 sampling points each, were investigated across several arid land types in the study area. Albedo thresholds were carefully determined in Advanced Land Observing Satellite Panchromatic Remote-sensing Instrument Stereo Mapping (ALOS PRISM) images (2.5 m spatial resolution), which separated predominantly bare soil from predominantly vegetated or covered soil, and created classified images. Correlation analysis was carried out between MODIS Fract-G bare soil fractional cover and ALOS PRISM bare soil proportions for the same areas. Results showed much lower correlations than expected, though limited agreement was found in some specific areas. It is posited that the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) fractional cover product, which is based on unmixing using the NDVI and a cellulose absorption index (CAI) proxy, may be generally unable to separate soil from vegetation in situations where both indices are low. In addition, separation is hampered by the lack of ‘pure pixels’ in this heterogeneous landscape. This suggests that the MODIS fractional cover product, at least in its present form, is unsuited to monitor sparsely vegetated arid landscapes.     

Estimating and mapping crop residues cover on agricultural lands using hyperspectral and IKONOS data

Crop residues left on agricultural lands after harvest play an important role in controlling and protecting soil against water and wind erosion. One challenge of remote sensing is to differentiate crop residues from bare soil and crop cover, especially when the residues have been weathered and/or when the crop cover phenology is more advanced. Several techniques for mapping and estimating crop residues exist in the literature. However, these methods are time consuming and not suited for quantitative evaluation. They have the disadvantage of being less rigorous and accurate because they do not consider the spectral mixture of different materials in the same pixel. In this study, the potential of hyperspectral (Probe-1) and multispectral high spatial resolution (IKONOS) data were compared for estimating and mapping crop residues on agricultural lands using the constrained linear spectral mixture analysis approach. Image data were spectrally and radiometrically calibrated, atmospherically corrected, as well as geometrically rectified. Pure spectral signatures of residues, bare soil and crop cover were manually extracted from image data based on prior knowledge of the fields. Percent (fraction) cover for each sampling point was extracted using unmixing and validated against ground reference measurements. The best results were achieved for the crop cover (index of agreement (D) = 0.92 and root mean square error (RMSE) = 0.09) adjusted for the impurity of the endmembers canola, pea and wheat, followed by the wheat residues (D = 0.76 and RMSE = 0.12). Considering only the wheat residues in fields with a canola crop, D increases to 0.86. The soil fractions were generally underestimated with D = 0.72, and no significant improvements could be made after adjusting for the shadow effect. The estimations from the IKONOS data were poorer for the same cover types (residues: D = 0.40 and RMSE = 0.24; crop: D = 0.51 and RMSE = 0.38; soil: D = 0.58 and RMSE = 0.29). Relative to the IKONOS data, the better performance of the hyperspectral data is mainly due to the improved spectral band characteristics, especially in the SWIR, which is sensitive to the residues (lignin and cellulose absorption features), soil and crop cover.     

Spectral assessment of new ASTER SWIR surface reflectance data products for spectroscopic mapping of rocks and minerals

ASTER reflectance spectra from Cuprite, Nevada, and Mountain Pass, California, were compared to spectra of field samples and to ASTER-resampled AVIRIS reflectance data to determine spectral accuracy and spectroscopic mapping potential of two new ASTER SWIR reflectance datasets: RefL1b and AST_07XT. RefL1b is a new reflectance dataset produced for this study using ASTER Level 1B data, crosstalk correction, radiance correction factors, and concurrently acquired level 2 MODIS water vapor data. The AST_07XT data product, available from EDC and ERSDAC, incorporates crosstalk correction and non-concurrently acquired MODIS water vapor data for atmospheric correction. Spectral accuracy was determined using difference values which were compiled from ASTER band 5/6 and 9/8 ratios of AST_07XT or RefL1b data subtracted from similar ratios calculated for field sample and AVIRIS reflectance data. In addition, Spectral Analyst, a statistical program that utilizes a Spectral Feature Fitting algorithm, was used to quantitatively assess spectral accuracy of AST_07XT and RefL1b data.Spectral Analyst matched more minerals correctly and had higher scores for the RefL1b data than for AST_07XT data. The radiance correction factors used in the RefL1b data corrected a low band 5 reflectance anomaly observed in the AST_07XT and AST_07 data but also produced anomalously high band 5 reflectance in RefL1b spectra with strong band 5 absorption for minerals, such as alunite. Thus, the band 5 anomaly seen in the RefL1b data cannot be corrected using additional gain adjustments. In addition, the use of concurrent MODIS water vapor data in the atmospheric correction of the RefL1b data produced datasets that had lower band 9 reflectance anomalies than the AST_07XT data. Although assessment of spectral data suggests that RefL1b data are more consistent and spectrally more correct than AST_07XT data, the Spectral Analyst results indicate that spectral discrimination between some minerals, such as alunite and kaolinite, are still not possible unless additional spectral calibration using site specific spectral data are performed.     

Sub‐pixel reflectance unmixing in estimating vegetation water content and dry biomass of corn and soybeans cropland using normalized difference water index (NDWI) from satellites

Estimating vegetation cover, water content, and dry biomass from space plays a significant role in a variety of scientific fields including drought monitoring, climate modelling, and agricultural prediction. However, getting accurate and consistent measurements of vegetation is complicated very often by the contamination of the remote sensing signal by the atmosphere and soil reflectance variations at the surface. This study used Landsat TM/ETM+ and MODIS data to investigate how sub‐pixel atmospheric and soil reflectance contamination can be removed from the remotely sensed vegetation growth signals. The sensitivity of spectral bands and vegetation indices to such contamination was evaluated. Combining the strengths of atmospheric models and empirical approaches, a hybrid atmospheric correction scheme was proposed. With simplicity, it can achieve reasonable accuracy in comparison with the 6S model. Insufficient vegetation coverage information and poor evaluation of fractional sub‐pixel bare soil reflectance are major difficulties in sub‐pixel soil reflectance unmixing. Vegetation coverage was estimated by the Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI). Sub‐pixel soil reflectance was approximated from the nearest bare soil pixel. A linear reflectance mixture model was employed to unmix sub‐pixel soil reflectance from vegetation reflectance. Without sub‐pixel reflectance contamination, results demonstrate the true linkage between the growth of sub‐pixel vegetation and the corresponding change in satellite spectral signals. Results suggest that the sub‐pixel soil reflectance contamination is particularly high when vegetation coverage is low. After unmixing, the visible and shortwave infrared reflectances decrease and the near‐infrared reflectances increase. Vegetation water content and dry biomass were estimated using the unmixed vegetation indices. Superior to the NDVI and the other NDWIs, the SWIR (1650 nm) band‐based NDWI showed the best overall performance. The use of the NIR (1240 nm), which is a unique band of MODIS, was also discussed.     

Ronda peridotite massif: Methodology for its geological mapping and lithological discrimination from airborne hyperspectral data

The Ronda peridotite massif in the Sierra Bermeja, southern Spain, was imaged in July 1991 by the Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS) during the Europe 1991 Multispectral Airborne Campaign. Principal component analysis was used (i) to extract the most spectrally extreme pixels for empirical line calibration; (ii) to physically interpret the image spectral information; and (iii) to define an optimal endmember selection based on both spatial and spectroscopic characteristics. Two successive spectral mixture analyses that allow one to focus on subtle spectral variations related to bedrock and soil lithology were applied. The first spectral mixture analysis was used to identify the major surface constituents in the image and extract the geological target to be investigated, i.e. the peridotite massif; and the second one was used to model the spectral variability within the designated target. Although mineralogical variations observed in the rocks were at a sub-pixel scale for the airborne survey, spatially organized units could be identified within the major outcrops of the peridotite massif from their spectral variations. A mineralogical interpretation of these spectral variations is proposed in relation with the field observations, in terms of relative abundance variations in the pyroxene/olivine ratio among the pixels. This work demonstrates that the proposed methodology makes possible the spectral distinction of lithological units within an ultramafic body, despite the occurrence of partial vegetation cover and multiple sub-pixel mixtures. Furthermore, it shows that hyperspectral data can provide such information, resulting in a very cost-effective method of petrologic mapping.