Evaluation of Crop Residue Measurements Using Landsat Thematic Mapper Data.
Abstract
The feasibility of using Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) satellite data to measure crop residue has been investigated. This project has been structured to examine the feasibility of measuring crop residue from a phenomenological perspective. Initial analyses were performed on reflectance measurements made on pure samples of soil, residue, and green crop which were collected in the field. These analyses led to the development of a two-band (corresponding to Landsat TM bands 5 and 7) reflectance algorithm which was found to be accurate and robust. The reflectance-based algorithm was then converted to an algorithm that could be used on actual Landsat TM data. This TM algorithm was implemented on TM data collected on June 7, 1991, and the resulting estimates of percent crop residue in selected fields were compared with field measurements of crop residue in those same fields. TM estimates made it possible to categorize most of the fields into their correct crop residue classes. The results of this project are promising. They suggest that there are relatively robust procedures for using Landsat TM data to assist in measuring crop residue.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1991
- Accession Number
- ADA245068
Entities
People
- J. E. Colwell
- R. K. Aggarwala
- R. M. Reinhold
Organizations
- Environmental Research Institute of Michigan