Quantitative Mapping of Soil Organic Material Using Field Spectrometer and Hyperspectral Remote Sensing

Mapping and dating soil organic material is of great importance in soil use and evaluation. Yet the most common mapping method of these features is based on visual, qualitative interpretation of air-photos. In this study we examine the feasibility of mapping soil organic material content by using airborne hyperspectral reflective remote sensing methodology. This technique was tested in Henshan County located in north of Shanxi province. A correlation analysis was performed between soil organic material data and color indices (brightness index, coloration index, hue index, redness index and saturation index). Using these correlations we were able to build up the regression model, and map the soil organic material content by calculating each pixel of Hyperion image. The accuracy assessment (the overall accuracy estimated as 76%) showed that the map is reliable and significantly correlated with known stabilization processes throughout the study area. The quantitative methodology developed in this study for mapping soil organic material can be adapted to other arid regions throughout the world. * Corresponding author: Liu Yaolin, E-mail:[email protected]; This work was supported in part by the 863 Program of the People's Republic of China under Grant 2007AA12Z225 and the 973 Program of the People's Republic of China under Grant 2006CB701303. In the mean while, this work was also supported in part by the Tackle Hard-nut Problems in Science and Technology under Grant ETZ2007A03 of Hubei province, China.