Abstract
In the present work, a new snow cover detection method based on visible red and blue bands from MODIS imagery data is proposed for Akita prefecture under the sunny cloud-free conditions. Before the snow cover detection, the MODIS imagery of the study area is pre-processed by geographic correction, clipping, atmospheric correction and topographic correction. Snow cover detection is carried out by applying the reflectance similarities of snow and other substances in the visible red band 1 and blue band 3. Then, the threshold values are confirmed to distinguish snow pixels from other substances by analyzing the composited true color images and 2-dimensional scatter plots. The MOD10_L2 products and in-situ snow depth data from 31 observation stations across the whole study area are chosen to compare and validate the effectivity of proposed method for snow cover detection. We calculate the overall accuracy, over-estimation error and under-estimation error of snow cover detection during the snowy season from May 2012 to April 2014, and the results are compared by classifying all of the observation stations into forest areas, basin areas and plain areas. It proves that the snow cover can be detected effectively in Akita prefecture by the proposed method. And the average overall accuracy of proposed method is higher than MOD10_L2 product, improved by 26.27%. The proposed method is expected to improve the environment management and agricultural development for local residents.
Highlights
Snow, as a part of the earth’s hydrosphere, is one of the most important input parameters in the global energyHow to cite this paper: Pan, P.P., Chen, G.Y., Saruta, K. and Terata, Y. (2015) Snow Cover Detection Based on Visible Red and Blue Channel from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Imagery Data
A new Snow cover detection (SCD) method based on visible red and blue channel from MODIS imagery is proposed with fully considering the influence of atmosphere, topographic features, snowcovered underlying surface and the principle of the SCD from MOD10_L2
It includes the geographic correction with the MRT Swath, study area clipping with the Akita administrative regional boundary ShapeFile data, atmospheric correction with the 6S code and topographic correction with a shadowing function algorithm
Summary
As a part of the earth’s hydrosphere, is one of the most important input parameters in the global energy. With the rapid development of satellite remote sensing technology, the SCD using earth observation satellite images has become a more effective method. It can obtain the information of snow cover distribution timely and accurately. Snow can be clearly distinguished from other substances exclude cloud because its reflectance is very high [4] It is for this important reason that satellite remote sensing data are very suitable for the SCD. The reflectance construction similarity of snow and other substances in the visible red band 1 and blue band 3 of MODIS image is applied in order to more effectively detect the snow cover.
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