The author has identified the following significant results. Range vegetation types have been successfully mapped on a portion of the 68,000 acre study site located west of Baggs, Wyoming, using ERTS-1 imagery. These types have been ascertained from field transects over a five year period. Comparable studies will be made with EREP imagery. Above-ground biomass estimation studies are being conducted utilizing double sampling techniques on two similar study sites. Information obtained will be correlated with percent relative reflectance measurements obtained on the ground which will be related to image brightness levels. This will provide an estimate of above-ground green biomass with multispectral imagery

Gordon, R. C.

Houston, R. S.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

E7. 4- 1 0.4 9.3.
UNIVERSITY OF WYOMING
REMOTE SENSING
LABORATORY
'ead avalabr u~ir WA sparisorshp SPECIAL REPORT
In the interest of early and wide dis- CONTRACT NAS5-21799
semination of Earth Resources Survey
Program information and without liability APRIL 20, 1974
for any use made thereot." ROBERT C. GORDON
(E74-10493) RANGE VEGETATION TYPE N74-22017
MAPPING AND ABOVE-GROUND GEEEN BIOMASS
ESTIMATIONS USING MULTISPECTRAL IMAGEEY
Special Report (Wyoming Univ.) 17 p HC Unclas
$4.00 cCL__J)8a _ 3/13 00493 _-
g Center ,,
o BltA AvenuejW OM 57194
some
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19740013904 2020-03-23T09:43:10+00:00Z
Range Vegetation Type Mapping and Above-Ground
Green Biomass Estimations Using Multispectral Imagery
by:
Robert C. Gordon
Department of Geology
University of Wyoming
Laramie, Wyoming 82071
April 1974
Special .Report
Prepared For:
Goddard Space Flight Center
Greenbelt, Maryland 20771
TECHN:C:-L RLPORT STANDARD TITLE PAGE
f Report No. 2. Government Accession No. - J. Kecipient's Catalog Ho.
4Yitle and Suino 5. .p.o7 Ire
Range Vegetation Type Mapping and Above-Ground i Afrj1 1974
S6. Perorming Orgonizaion Cod.
Green Biomass Estimations Using Multis ectral .
7. Author(s) e 8. Performing Orgonitailon Report No.
1 Robert C. Gordon
9. Performing Or;cnizzt;on Nom and Address 10. Worl Unit No.
Department of Geology .
University of Wyoming Ti. Conroct or Groan No.
Laramie, Wyoming 82070
13.Type of Roportl ond Period Coord
12. Sponsoring Agency Nc-v and Address
Special Report
14. Sponsoring Agency Code
I15. Supplementory Nltes
16. Abstroct
Range vegetation types have been successfully mapped on a
portion of the 68,000 acre study site located west of Baggs, Wyoming,
using'ERTS I imagery. These types have been ascertained from field
transects over a five year period. Comparable studies will'be made
with EREP imagery: Above-ground biomass estimation studies are being
conducted utilizing double s.ampling techniques on two similar study
sites. Information obtained will be correlated with percent relative
reflectance measurements obtained on the ground which will be related
to image brightness levels. This will provide an estimate of above
ground green biomass with multi-spectral imagery.
17. Key Words (5, lected by Author(i)) . 18. Distribution Statement
Vegetation Type Mapping
ERTS-I sm n
Above-Ground Green Biomass Estimat ons
19. Srcurily Clossif. (of his reportI) 20. Security Clossif. (of this page) 21. No. of Pages 22. Price'
*For sale by the Clearinghouse for Federal Scientific a.nd Technical In rrn; iin, Springfield, Virgini 2211.
Figure 2. Technical Report Standard Title Page
PART 1
1.1 The Project
The Department of Geology, through the Remote Sensing Section, has
enlisted the help of a Range Management Graduate Student, Robert C. Gordon,
to assist in the assessment of ERTS-1 imagery for range inventory work.
1.2 The Range Management Project
The Range Management Project is twofold: It's objectives are to use
ERTS-1 imagery to map range vegetation type boundaries and to use plant
reflectance to estimate above ground green biomass.
The first objective was chosen to determine the usefulness and degree
of accuracy available to researchers interested in the delineation of vege-
tation types by using satellite imagery. The second objective was taken
to show that more than the mapping of vegetation boundaries can be accom-
plished by using this new resource inventory tool.
The use of satellite imagery will not eliminate all ground checks and
biomass estimations, but will hopefully reduce the amount of time required
for them and allow more time and manpower for other projects.
1.3 Work Schedule
The project period will be two full years. This will allow two summers
of data collection and sufficient time during the school year for analysis
of data, preparation of a final report and completion of the student's
Master's degree requirements. The final composite report will be submitted
in December of 1974.
The project itself is broken into two basic parts. The first compares
ERTS imagery and data to aircraft photography and ground truth information.
2The second portion is a three-way comparison concerning the amounts of data
from ERTS-1 and aircraft and ground truth to EREP data collected for the
same area.
PART 2
2.1 Study Site
The study site is located west of the town of Baggs in southwestern
Wyoming (Fig. 1). It is comprised of 68,000 acres of rest rotation pasture
supervised by the Bureau of Land Management. The variety of topography
and vegetation types qualify the area as an excellent test location. Back-
ground information on the vegetation of the study site is provided by five
annual reports concerning grazing system research between 1967 and 1971
(Fisser & Gibbens 1971; Gibbens et al. 1968, 1969; Gibbens & Fisser 1970, 1972).
This study was conducted by the. University of Wyoming as a cooperative research
report to the Bureau of Land Management.
2.2 Methodology
2.2.1 Vegetation Mapping
Vegetation types delineated from ERTS bands 4, 5, 6, 7 at the smallest
possible scale and then transferred to base maps of 1:24,000. Vegetation
base maps are compiled from ground reconnaissance supplemented by low altitude
imagery.
The accuracy of the ERTS based maps is compared using transparent over-
lays placed on the field checked range types. The accuracy of the ERTS-1
based maps is compared to transparent overlays of aircraft and ground checked
maps.. Similar comparisons will also be made using maps of the vegetation
types prepared from EREP imagery when it becomes available.
1110 °lo 109l 1080 1070 1060 1050 1040
_._._:..-...:. . . . -, - .. .... *--450
450 45
:.. . ... Sheridan
--3 " Ia Cody
0i 44°
440
WYOMING
.. Thermopo is:
S. DAK
" .....-.- 430
0 Pine Casper
-- I
IDAHO ,20
42 o,/',
UTAH o aw ns
0 Rock Springs
OLaramie
Study
410 . .... ... .... t.e -
..... .
-.. 
... 410
S COLORADO 4:
iFRONT RANGE SCALE:MILES
:C .* '..;.: : ,, ' 0 50
1110 1100 1090 1080 1070 106 1050 1040
Figure 1 - Index map of Baggs Study site.
u~A
2.2.2 Above Ground Green Biomass Estimations
The above ground green biomass of two sites within the study area
will be estimated by relating green biomass to reflectance. The information
required to establish this relation was collected by the following methods.
Ten representative plots, two meters by three meters, were established
on the two selected sites and reflectance measurements were taken of these
plots during the ERTS overpass. Soil moisture, texture and color estimates
will also be obtained on these sites.
Plot reflectance is measured in the same 4 bands as the ERTS imagery
using a multispectral camera array. A photometer and filter cards are used
to obtain relative reflectance values in all four bands. Plot and percent
reflectance are taken at a constant angle, height, time and location. Both
measurements include the entire study plot.(Fig. 2).
In addition to the 20, two by three meter, representative plots, 125
biomass sampling plots were established on each of the 2 sites (Fig. 3).
Twenty-five plots per site were measured for emittance and above ground green
biomass after each summer overpass of the satellite. The oven dry weight
of all the shrubs and grasses and forbs were estimated by a double sampling
technique. The amount of litter was also obtained along with soil type,
texture, color and moisture content estimations (Fig. 4).
After the fourth overpass, one transect on each site, a total of 50
plots, was clipped bare, and the samples oven-dried to test the accuracy
of the double sampling method.
Photometer measurements and biomass data from one of the sites will be
graphed to establish a regression line on which the emittance readings from
the second site may be plotted to estimate its above ground green biomass.
B
i
s5
s
i
R
a
H
9
r
r
I
r
I
I
r
I
I
I
I
E
r
r;
;P
a
r
f
Figure 2 - Relative Reflectance Measurement Equipment - includes
photometer, filter card, and standard grey card.
B
rpi
C
I
r
si
r
6Figure 3 - Equipment used to locate transects and plots
7S Ch
Figue 4Equpmen usd t clp plts or bovegrond ree
biomss heck Solmostur bas ae alo sown
8Biomass data collected for the second site will serve as a check. The
biomass estimation technique will be tested on other areas if successful
at the Baggs site.
PART 3
Progress:
The su=mer field season was utilized to collect data pertaining to the
classification and mapping of vegetation types and estimations of the above
ground green biomass.
To date, broad vegetation-type base maps have been prepared from aerial
photographs and ground reconnaissance (Fig. 5). A comparison of a large
section of the study area base vegetation map with a map produced from ERTS-1
imagery showed a high correlation for the broad vegetation types. The
ERTS-1 imagery band 5 enlarged to. 1:250,000 (Fig. 6) and then transferred to a
base map at 1:24,000 (Fig. 7). The high correlation exhibited between the
broad vegetation type boundaries did not extend to the smaller vegetation
types which are distinguishable on lower altitude images. This problem may
possibly be eliminated using the better imagery obtained after this preliminary
overlay was produced and by improved enlargement quality. The images received
during the 1973 field season have been viewed and those taken on June 3,
July 12, July 30, and Aug. 17, 1973 and in bands 5 have the highest potential.
Photographs of vegetation types on the entire study have been recorded and
organized for reference.
All of the above ground green biomass samples have been air dried, oven
dired, weighed and tabulated and at present await further analysis. Soil.
moisture samples have also been oven dried, weighed to the nearest one
hundredth gram and tabulated.
0 1 2 MILES
Figure 5. Vegetation Map Compiled From Low
22 23 24 19 _ 20 Level Imagery Supplemented With
Ground Reconnaissance
smithii: Basin big sagebrush
SJand Western wheatgrass
2 33 .. lb. Artemesia tridentata--Agropyron
Ic. Artemesia tridentata--Agropyron
smithii
8*G ~Id. Artemesia tridentata--Agropyron
smithii
. Type II Juniperus osteosperma:
Utah juniper
Type IIISarcobatus vermiculatus:
Black greasewood
D_: Type IV Agropyron smithii: Western
wheatgrass
. Type V Sprayed Artemesia tridentata--
Agropyron smithii Sprayed Basin big
22_ _. 2 _r . . --. ... sagebrush and Western wheatgrass
MOFFAT CO COLORADO
R...w. .1w Type VI Barren: lichens and bare ground
Figure 6 - ERTS-1 Image of Baggs Study Site. Scale 1:250,000
Image No. 1030-17242 Band 5
I.
1 0 1 2 MILES
Figure 7. Vegetation Map Compiled From ERTS-1
21 22 23 24 19 20 21 Imagery
.i .: :: ::.:.::::::::.::::::::.  :...........:..:.:.:..:.Ty pel a. Artemesia tridentata -- A rop yron
. ::::::::::::::..... ............ :: : ........  .sagebrush
-..:... and Western wheatgrass
33 .... .-.. 32 33 Ib. Artemesia tridentata--Agropyron
smithii
Ic. Artemesia tridentata--Agropyron
N .. .-smithii
4 I6 51 4 d. Artemesia tridentatoa--Agropyron
BAG smithii
Type II Juniperus osteosperma:
Utah juniper
T.12N. 9 12 7 8 T 12N
Type IIISarcobatus vermiculatus:
Black greasewood
f' ' Type IV Agropyron smithii: Western
wheatgrass
16 is 13 18 17 16
Type V Sprayed Artemesia tridentata--
Agropyron smithii: Sprayed Basin big
21 2 G sagebrush and Western wheatgrass
MOFFAT CO COLORADO
RR.. 92 W. .II1 Type VI Barren: lichens and bare ground
12
P.ART 4
4.1 Problems:
The primary difficulty found to date lies in the delineation of the
smaller vegetation types on ERTS-1, color and black and white imagery.
This difficulty arises from one or more of the following reasons:
1. cloud cover and haze on ERTS imagery
2. shadow effects on ERTS-1 imagery especially on north-facing slopes
3. poor quality of processing on low-altitude black and white and color
imagery from Mission 213.
The delineation of these small vegetation types cannot be overlooked
because of their potential value to the management offices of the state in
monitoring the pasture system and, with the development of advanced machinery,
a precise type map will be required to test the significance of maps made
on these new machines using the ERTS imagery.
4.2 Solutions
The aforementioned problems may possibly be corrected by reprocessing
of aerial photograph techniques, by ratioing images to eliminate shadow,
through analysis of computer tapes and the advancement of analytical machinery.
Future Work:
During the 1974 summer sesason data will again be collected for above--
ground green biomass estimation as well as soil moisture information. Infor-
mation on vegetation spectral emittance will also be collected on previously
tested sites with the possibility of extending emittance data collection to
several other vegetation types. Also, as only macro vegetation types were
13
considered during the initial study period, greater emphasis will be placed
on the delineation of the smaller vegetation types. This will lead to the
establishment of additional plant frequency transects that can be directly
compared to existing data collected for the area from a previous study conducted
from 1967-1971. The final report of this project will be submitted in
December of 1974.
14
References
Fisser, H. G., and R. P. Gibbens, 1971, Influence of Grazing Management
Systems on Vegetation and Wildlife Habitat; Annual Report of Progress,
July, 1970-July, 1971. Wyoming Agricultural Experiment Station,
Scientific Report No. 336.
Gibbens, R. P., H. G. Fisser and M. May, 1968, Influence of grazing Management
Systems on Vegetation and Wildlife Habitat, Annual Report of Progress,
July, 1967-July, 1968, Wyoming Agricultural Experiment Station,
Scientific Report No. 102.
Gibbens, R. P., H. G. Fisser and M. May, 1969, Influence of Grazing Management
Systems on Vegetation and Wildlife Habitat, Annual Report of Progress,
July, 1968-July, 1969. Wyoming Agricultural Experiment Station,
Scientific Report No. 179.
Gibbens, R. P. and H. G. Fisser, 1970, Influence of Grazing Management Systems
on Vegetation and Wildlife Habitat, Annual Report of Progress, July, 1969-
July, 1970, Wyoming Agricultural Experiment Station, Scientific Report
No. 241.
Gibbens R. P. and H. G. Fisser, 1972, Influence of Grazing Management Systems
on Vegetation and Wildlife Habitat, Annual Report of Progress, July, 1971-
July, 1972, W1yoming Agricultural Experiment Station, Scientific Report
No. 414.


Range vegetation type mapping and above-ground green biomass estimations using multispectral imagery

Abstract

Similar works

Full text

Available Versions

NASA Technical Reports Server