An analysis of the effect of biological and physical parameters of a wetlands grass biome on the spectral modeling of phytomass and primary productivity

Aircraft simulated thematic mapper data and field data were acquired in the fall and spring to analyze the relationship of spectral response and biomass for the marsh grass Spartina patens. Regression results indicate no simple relationship exists for TMS spectral response and biomass with a high R sq. However, results show a consistent relationship between spectral response and the percent live vegetation (by weight) and percent interstitial standing surface water (by area) as independent variables. It is suggested that the reflected energy of a pixel represents a mixture of surface constituents. It is recommended that alternative remote sensors be employed to account for the pixel constituents of live and dead vegetation, litter, and standing water.