LIGHT REFLECTANCE CHARACTERISTICS AND REMOTE-SENSING OF BIG-BEND-LOCO(ASTRAGALUS-MOLLISSIMUS VAR EARLEI) AND WOOTON-LOCO (ASTRAGALUS-WOOTONII)

The high near-infrared reflectance (0.76 to 0.90 mum) of Big Bend loco and Wooton loco contributed significantly to their orange-red and red image tonal responses, respectively, on color-infrared aerial photogr aphs making them distinguishable from associated vegetation and soil. Big Bend loco could also be distinguished on color-infrared and near-i nfrared black-and-white video imagery where it had distinct red and wh itish tonal responses, respectively. Computer analyses of photographic and videographic images showed that Big Bend loco and Wooton loco pop ulations could be quantified from other landscape features. A global p ositioning system was integrated with the video imagery that permitted latitude-longitude coordinates to appear on each image. The latitude- longitude data were integrated with a geographical information system to map Big Bend loco populations.