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Application of Multispectral Remote Sensing to Soil Survey Research in Southeastern Pennsylvania¹

ABSTRACT

Computer analyses of multispectral imagery collected from aircraft shows promise for reducing preparation time and increasing the accuracy of soil survey maps. The study area in southeastern Pennsylvania included soils formed from limestone, shale, sandstone, alluvium, and local colluvium. Four study sites ranging in size from 8.5 to 30 ha were selected from a 72 km flightline. Surface reflectance properties of nonvegetated fields were classified using pattern recognition techniques. Computer printout maps showing areal distribution of soil spectral classes were compared with field conditions. Limestone, shale, sandstone, and local colluvial soils were separated with a high degree of accuracy. Erosion classes separated by spectral maps were comparable in location and extent to field observations. The feasibility of preparing computer display maps for potential use as soil mapping aids was demonstrated.

¹ Joint contribution from the Pennsylvania State Univ., Dep. of Agronomy and Laboratory for Applications of Remote Sensing, Purdue Univ. Authorized for publication on May 4, 1972 as paper no. 4204 of the Journal Series of the Pennsylvania Agr. Exp. Sta., University Park, Pa. This investigation was supported in part by National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Grant NGR 15-005-112, US Department of Transportation Contract FH-11-7565, and Pennsylvania Basic Soils Inventory Project no. 1643. Presented before Div. S-5, Soil Science Society of America, New York, New York, August 17, 1971.

² Research Assistant and Associate Professor of Soil Genesis and Morphology, Pennsylvania State Univ., University Park, Pa., Research Agronomist, Laboratory for Applications of Remote Sensing and Associate Professor of Geosciences and Civil Engineering, Purdue Univ., Lafayette, Indiana, respectively. The senior author is currently Soil Scientist, Earth Survey Sciences Office, NASA, Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland 20771.

Received for publication May 26, 1972. Accepted for publication October 26, 1972.