Vegetation monitoring via a novel push-broom-sensor-based hyperspectral device

Abstract

Abstract Due to their remarkable spatial and spectral resolution, hyperspectral sensing devices appear the most suited for detection of vegetation presence according to the peculiar spectral features that vegetation exhibits. Among the applications, vegetation identification as well as vegetation health-state detection via spectral data analysis is feasible due to the modifications the typical vegetation spectral signature undergoes when abnormalities are present. A push-broom-sensor-based spectral device characterized by low cost, weight, power consumption, and no need of GPS/inertial measurement units for post-flight georeferencing was placed on an airplane and employed for the acquisition of spectral data in a wide territory. The proximal sensing field campaign was carried out in San Teodoro (Olbia-Tempio-Sardinia). Classification procedures and the employment of vegetation indices made it possible to identify the vegetated areas. The platform characteristics and the methodology developed allow vegetation to be investigated within a large interval of scales from a few centimeters to some hundred meters. Data acquired agree well with thematic maps of the areas under investigation. The broadband indices Red DVI, SR and TVI perform remarkably well in highlighting the presence of vegetation.