Abstract

Tree species have unique spectral reflectance patterns that allows them to be both compared to other objects and to other types of trees. Increasing the spectral separation of such images may assist with surveying and forestry inventories. In past studies, most classifications were done with summer leaves, which darken and become very similar shades of green. This study utilized the phenology of trees to investigate how the changing colors of young or senescing leaves may assist in species classification based on aerial images. Images were taken of the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest, which is mainly dominated by sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh), beech (Fagus grandifolia Ehrh.), and yellow birch (Betula allegheniensism Britt). Classification of stands of same-species trees was attempted using spring hyperspectral images containing bands from fall RGB color photos. The combination of high-resolution RGB photos and lower-resolution hyperspectral data was found not to increase the spectral separation when combined.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Phenology; Hardwoods--Classification; Spectral reflectance

Publication Date

2005

Document Type

Thesis

Student Type

Graduate

Degree Name

Environmental Science (MS)

Department, Program, or Center

Thomas H. Gosnell School of Life Sciences (COS)

Advisor

Anthony Vodacek

Comments

Note: imported from RIT’s Digital Media Library running on DSpace to RIT Scholar Works. Physical copy available through RIT's The Wallace Library at: QH544 .S77 2005

Campus

RIT – Main Campus

Plan Codes

ENVS-MS

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