Use of field spectroscopy for exploring the impact of atmospheric effects on landsat 5 TM/7 ETM+ satellite images intended for hydrological purposes in Cyprus

Abstract

The spectroradiometric retrieved reflectance of a local crop, namely, beans (Phaseolus vulgaris), is directly compared to the reflectance of Landsat 5TM and 7ETM+ atmospherically corrected and uncorrected satellite images. Also, vegetation indices from the same satellite images—atmospherically corrected and uncorrected—are compared with the corresponding vegetation indices produced from field measurements using a spectroradiometer. Vegetation Indices are vital in the estimation of crop evapotransiration under standard conditions (ETc) because they are used in stochastic or empirical models for describing crop canopy parameters such as the Leaf Area Index (LAI) or crop height. ETc is finally determined using the FAO Penman-Monteith method adapted to satellite data, and is used to examine the impact of atmospheric effects. Regarding the reflectance comparison, the main problem was observed in Band 4 of Landsat 5TM and 7ETM+, where the difference, for uncorrected images, was more than 20% and statistically significant. Results regarding ETc show that omission or ineffective atmospheric corrections in Landsat 5TM,/7ETM+ satellite images always results in a water deficit when estimating crop water demand. Diminished estimated crop water requirements can result in a reduction in output or, if critical, crop failure. The paper seeks to illustrate the importance of removing atmospheric effects from satellite images designated for hydrological purposes.