Automated pixel screening and selection technique

One approach for estimating crop acreage on the basis of Landsat data involves the sampling of portions of Landsat imagery which represent 5 x 6-n mi areas on the ground, taking into account acreage estimates for each of these areas. Difficulties concerning the estimating procedures are related to labeling. These difficulties arise in particular in connection with mixed pixels. The present investigation is concerned with the employment of a suitable automated technique for overcoming these difficulties. A description of the selected technique is presented, and the test conducted for the evaluation of the technique is discussed. It is found that the employed automated pixel screening and selection procedure provides representative samples of the scene. The amount of time spent on pure pixel selection is significantly reduced by using the automated method.