Identification of plant species by using high spatial and spectral resolution thermal infrared (8.0–13.5 μm) imagery

Remote Sensing of the Environment
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Abstract

High spatial and spectral resolution thermal infrared imagery (8.0–13.5 μm) from the SEBASS airborne sensor was used to analyze and map tree canopy spectral features at the State Arboretum of Virginia, near Boyce, Virginia. Fifty tree species were analyzed and about half were directly identified with varying degrees of success on the basis of spectral matched filtering that utilized laboratory-measured leaf spectra as the target signatures. Spectral averages of pixels extracted from SEBASS emissivity data compared favorably with laboratory spectra of leaves collected from individual tree species. Best results were obtained from species having relatively strong spectral contrast, wide and flat leaves, closed planophile canopies, and/or large canopy areas. Tree species having small leaves or unfavorable leaf orientations showed spectral attenuation likely resulting from cavity blackbody effects. Increased spatial resolution and better image calibration and atmospheric correction might lead to further improvements in thermal infrared plant species identification.

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Identification of plant species by using high spatial and spectral resolution thermal infrared (8.0–13.5 μm) imagery
Series title Remote Sensing of the Environment
DOI 10.1016/j.rse.2009.09.019
Volume 114
Issue 2
Year Published 2010
Language English
Publisher Elsevier
Description 10 p.
First page 404
Last page 413
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