Vegetation cover and soils data were taken on sites in Arizona, Oklahoma and South Dakota and analyzed using remotely sensed high resolution panchromatic photographs and standard field sampling techniques. Results showed that photographs of WEPP rainfall simulator plots can be used to determine vegetative cover. Photographs were converted to digital format and image processed. These measurements, in conjunction with soils sampled in open areas and under canopies, provided improved estimates of saturated hydraulic conductivity. Infiltration rates predicted from parameters estimated by soil hydraulic measurements and the areal extent of vegetative cover were then compared with observed infiltration rates taken directly from rainfall simulated erosion plots. It is concluded that infiltration parameters for shrub dominated rangelands can be more accurately estimated by incorporating remotely sensed vegetative cover estimates and characteristics of soil properties under cover.
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