We classified Landsat-7 enhanced thematic mapper plus (ETM+) satellite imagery within ecological site descriptions to identify spectrally anomalous locations and determine whether these correlated with anomalous ground locations. Sites located in the Montana plains were classified by their departure from mean values in tasseled cap brightness, greeness, and wetness components, stratified by ecological site description. The classification had 98% overall accuracy in identifying locations that were or were not outside the norm in productivity and exposed soil for their ecological site description. Success was explained by the high correlations between field measures productivity and exposed soil compared with tasseled cap components. Using this modeling technique might help rangeland mangers identify sites needing more detailed field inventory and (or) management attention.
source: abstract
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