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Submitted to: International Journal of Remote Sensing
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 6/25/2004 Publication Date: 2/10/2005 Citation: Fletcher, R.S. 2005. Evaluating the spatial resolution of QuickBird imagery for detecting citrus orchards affected by sooty mold. International Journal of Remote Sensing. 26(3):495-502. Interpretive Summary: Simulated QuickBird color-infrared imagery was evaluated to determine the potential of using QuickBird satellite imagery for detecting citrus orchards affected by sooty mold, which is an indicator of insect infestation of a citrus orchard. Affected areas greater than one half of an acre were easily detected on the imagery because trees in these areas appeared in black tones compared with the red color of healthy trees. These findings suggest QuickBird satellite imagery has potential as a tool for detecting sooty mold-affected citrus orchards. Therefore, imagery acquired by this system should be useful for integrated pest management programs. An advantage of using satellite imagery is that one image covers a much larger area than a single photograph. Technical Abstract: This study evaluated color-infrared (CIR, 2.44-m spatial resolution) and pansharpened CIR (0.61-m spatial resolution) imagery having the spatial resolution of QuickBird imagery for detecting citrus (Citrus spp.) orchards affected by sooty mold (Capnodium citri), which is an indicator of insect infestation of a citrus grove. CIR photography and image processing software were used to simulate the spatial resolutions of QuickBird's imagery. Citrus groves northwest of Mission, Texas, USA, were assessed in this study. Sooty mold-affected areas were easily detected on the CIR and pansharpened CIR images. The latter provided better detail, which increased image interpretation accuracy. Findings of this simulation study suggest QuickBird imagery can be used to detect sooty mold-affected citrus orchards. |
