Aerial and ground spectral characteristics of rangeland plant communities in Nevada

Abstract

Visible and near infrared spectral reflectance values were recorded from Nevada rangeland plant communities using both low flying aircraft and ground measurement approaches. The individual spectrum values, four-band signatures and infrared: red scatterplots were used to compare 5 × 5 m aerial pixels with data from various ground components. Results show that vegetation and soil do not account for the integrated aerial spectra. The composite ground signatures indicate that spectrally dark components exist in rangeland plant communities which decrease the brightness of a scene measured from the air. Shadow and litter are presumed to be the primary sources of spectral darkening. An estimate of the overall signature of the shadow/fitter component was calculated.