Proposal for a study of computer mapping of terrain using multispectral data from ERTS-A for the Yellowstone National Park test site

The author has identified the following significant results. A terrain map of Yellowstone National Park showed plant community types and other classes of ground cover in what is basically a wild land. The map comprised 12 classes, six of which were mapped with accuracies of 70 to 95%. The remaining six classes had spectral reflectances that overlapped appreciably, and hence, those were mapped less accurately. Techniques were devised for quantitatively comparing the recognition map of the park with control data acquired from ground inspection and from analysis of sidelooking radar images, a thermal IR mosaic, and IR aerial photos of several scales. Quantitative analyses were made in ten 40 sq km test areas. Comparison mechanics were performed by computer with the final results displayed on line printer output. Forested areas were mapped by computer using ERTS data for less than 1/4 the cost of the conventional forest mapping technique for topographic base maps.