GE 220 - PRACTICAL EXERCISES

Lab 02: Spectral Characteristics of Land Cover Classes

Name: LUNGU PROSPER SID: 17109740

Introduction

In this Laboratory exercise, the spectral patterns (spectral signatures/curves) of

different land cover classes will be investigated. The spectral characteristics of
different land covers may not be very evident on images, but can be observed in the
digital data.

The purpose of this section is to evaluate the spectral characteristics of a selection of

land cover types depicted in a sample of Landsat MSS data.

1. Identify the wavelengths of each of the Landsat MSS bands:

MSS-4 0.5-0.6

MSS-5 0.6-0.7

MSS-6 0.7-0.8

MSS-7 0.8-0.9

2. What is the spatial resolution of MSS? 79 meters

3. Using 10 x 10 pixel segments representing two (i.e. water and barren) of the eight
land cover classes, identify the minimum and maximum spectral values of each class
in each of the four MSS bands. Calculate the mean reflectance response. Record
these values in the appropriate locations on Table 1.

The brightness values used in calculating the statistics are located within the outlined
area for each land cover. Notice the difference between the water class and the
barren class.

Dr Iwake Masialeti, Geomatics Engineering, CBU. 2019-2020 Academic Year. Page 1

 Table 1

MSS 4 MSS 5 MSS 6 MSS 7

Class Min Max X Min Max X Min Max X Min Max X

Water 9.1 10.9 18.1 10.7 12.7 17.8 10.4 11.8 14.8 5.8 8 7.3

Barren 12.1 14.5 24.2 22.1 25.8 37 38.5 44 55 31.5 43.3 39.4

Urban 20 39 28 20 51 34.9 31 57 48.5 23 54 40.4

Range 14 19 16.1 10 21 15.5 45 66 57.4 38 74 62.8

Shrubland 17 19 17.3 14 22 17.3 54 63 58.3 53 64 61.4

Decid. Forest 12 18 14.4 12 20 13.9 39 52 47 40 56 48.2

Conifer. Forest 12 15 12.7 10 15 12.3 23 36 28.6 22 37 27.4

Mixed Decid./ 13 16 14.4 12 19 14 32 46 40 34 47 41

Cofiner.

4. Once you complete the table, plot the three parameters for each of the MSS
bands, for (i) Barren and (ii) Deciduous Forest land cover classes, on the appropriate
worksheet. [4 Marks]

The water class is already plotted as an example. The plotted means form a pattern
sometimes called a (multi-) spectral signature.

Together, the means, minima, and maxima represent the spectral variability of the
land cover types.

Dr Iwake Masialeti, Geomatics Engineering, CBU. 2019-2020 Academic Year. Page 2

5. Examine the water class plot and the two plots you have made. On a separate
sheet, comment on the following:

(i) The spectral characteristics of Water, Barren and Deciduous cover types. What do
you observe? What factor(s) might influence the spectral characteristics of each
cover type? Or why are some wavelengths reflected much more/less than others?

spectral characteristics:

 In water the higher the wavelength the lower the absorption of radiation,
hence the decrease in brightness levels across band levels MSS4--MSS7

 In barren brightness levels increases with the increase in wavelength of

the bands MSS4-MSS7

 In deciduous brightness increases simultaneously from MSS4-MSS5 and

then abruptly record's high brightness levels for band MSS6 and MSS7
thus high wavelength results into high brightness levels

Dr Iwake Masialeti, Geomatics Engineering, CBU. 2019-2020 Academic Year. Page 3

Factors affecting spectral characteristics
Water: temperature
Blue colour (for clear water)
Barren: moisture content
Soil texture
Organic matter content
Deciduous: chlorophyll present in plans leaf

(ii) Which band(s) are best for differentiating between barren and deciduous forest
cover types and justify your answer?

MSS6 and MSS7

Because in barren the brightness levels are decreasing from MSS6 to MSS7
while in deciduous the brightness level increases from MSS6 to MSS7

(iii) What would be the impact of turbidity on all the plotted water class values?

The increase in turbidity causes the decrease in amount of light for

photosynthesis hence increasing the brightness

TOTAL SCORE:_____ / 45 Marks

Dr Iwake Masialeti, Geomatics Engineering, CBU. 2019-2020 Academic Year. Page 4