Helicopter high resolution imaging spectroscopy: Mapping species variation

A unique high spatial and spectral resolution airborne imaging spectrometer dataset was collected concurrently with a high resolution lidar system and orthophotography from a test site on the north eastern slope of Mauna Kea on the island of Hawaii. Ground reference data were collected including a survey of tree locations, species, and foliar chemistry. Wet lab analysis indicated unique chemical signatures exist for three different species. Through the analysis of canopy spectral responses, differences were noted n the visible range. An Acacia Koa discriminating index was developed based on the continuum removal procedure that consistently identified the locations of A. koa. Additionally, NIR reflectance was found to be exceptionally high n Cryptomeria japonica and Sequoia sempervirens. The NIR responses saturated he sensor and the degree of saturation was scale and wavelength dependent.