A Technique for the Determination of Louisiana Marsh Salinity Zones from Vegetation Mapped by Multispectral Scanner Data: A Comparison of Satellite and Aircraft Data

摘要

Vegetation in selected study areas on the Louisiana coast was mapped using low-altitude air¬craft and satellite (Landsat) multispectral scanner data. Fresh, brackish, and saline marshes were then determined from the remotely sensed presence of dominant indicator plant associa¬tions. Such vegetational classifications were achieved from data processed through a standard pattern-recognition computer program. The marsh salinity zone maps from the aircraft and satellite data compared favorably within the broad salinity regimes. The salinity zone bounda¬ries determined by remote sensing compared favorably with those interpolated from line-transect field observations from an earlier year. The advantage of the remotely sensed determination of zones is that it offers a greater confidence in product accuracy because of total area coverage with shorter time period for data collection and analysis. A vegetation map pro¬duced from remotely sensed data can be used not only to determine salinity zones but also to de¬rive productivity and wildlife habitat maps for management practices and to detect changes.