Distinguishing ecological parameters in a coastal area using a video system with visible/near-infrared/mid-infrared sensitivity

This paper reports on the application of an aerial digital video imaging sy stem with visible (VIS) (0.625-0.635 mu m), near-infrared (NIR) (0.845-0.85 7 mu m), and mid-infrared (MIR) (1.631-1.676 mu m) spectral sensitivity for distinguishing ecological parameters in a coastal ecosystem on the souther n Texas Gulf Coast. This system produces false color imagery similar to tha t of the Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) bands 5,4,3. Imagery from this system was useful for differentiating among a variety of land-use types including plant species, soil surface conditions, and water. Computer analysis of th e imagery showed that many of the ecological variables could be quantified. An accuracy assessment performed on the classified image showed an overall accuracy of 82.4%. The imagery was also useful for interpreting the coarse r resolution TM. Ground radiometric reflectance measurements were made of v arious ecological parameters to assist in interpreting the imagery.