Variability and Classification of Landsat Thematic Mapper Spectral Response in Southwest Yukon

Abstract

This paper explains Landsat Thematic Mapper spectral response of a high mountain area in Canada's Yukon with reference to environmental variables measured in the field. The relationships among surface cover and topography and spectral response are studied, and it is concluded from the correlation matrix that an integrated spectral/topographic data set should be used for reconnaissance biophysical classification of this area. A linear discriminant procedure is used to determine the percentage increase in accuracy that can be obtained when individual topographic variables are employed with the spectral response patterns. A digital elevation model is created and registered to the Landsat image; geomorphometric variables are extracted in the area of each Landsat pixel. The accuracies obtained in a mapping exercise are 55.8 percent and 77.6 percent for LANDSAT TM data alone and Landsat TM data plus elevation, slope, incidence, and relief, respectively.