Hyperspectral Remote Sensing for Mapping Foliar Pigment Concentration in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, India

Abstract

The present study focuses on mapping and identification of the pigment concentration and dominant invasive species in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR), Tamil Nadu, India using optical (Sentinel 2A) and hyperspectral (Hyperion) earth observation satellite images. The Hyperion satellite data-based study exhibited dominance of dense vegetation (40.64%) and moderate vegetation (27.81%), in contrast to low vegetation (15.71%) in MTR. While vegetation indices based analysis demonstrated more accurate results of forest cover through Modified Red Edge Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (MRENDVI) compared to other vegetation indices. The dominance of moderate Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) values (0.55–0.6) were observed in MTR with moderate carotenoid concentration (<0.3) and low anthocyanin concentration (<0.2). The study highlights the prominence of Lantana camara, Parthenium hysterophorus , Prosopis juliflora, and Chromolaena odorata in the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve. The correlation of species and foliar pigment concentration provides a better understanding of the species distribution in tropical deciduous forests in southern India. The study highlights better results in Sentinel 2A images compared to Hyperion images in LULC classification due to higher spatial resolution, while Hyperion images provide more improved classification and diversity for species characterisation due to high spectral agility. The study necessitates concurrent monitoring of invasion in forest-rich regions through the adoption of potential forest conservation and management plans.