Hyperspectral analysis of multispectral ETM+ data: SMA using spectral field measurements in mapping of emergent macrophytes

Obtaining quantitative information about vegetation with remote sensing continues to prove difficult, with most healthy plants showing absorption bands that are similar. Quantifying such subtle differences in plants in a predictable way still poses a challenge, with abundances in species, the limited nature of spectrometric measurements on plants, and in our case the relatively small quantities of macrophytes under investigation, coupled with the location of the study site - in an aquatic environment. We used multispectral Landsat Enhanced Thematic Mapper (ETM+) imagery in investigating the possibility for mapping and quantification of macrophytes in a water hyacinth infested area. An ETM+ image is being examined using hyperspectral-processing techniques. With accurate information on macrophytic weeds, natural resource managers are empowered in making informed decisions about weed management