Vegetative mapping with false-color infrared aerial photography …and comparison with black and white

Abstract

This study was made to determine the extent to which the species composition of timber stands and other types of vegetative cover could be interpreted from high-altitude, small-scale, vertical Ektachrome Infrared Aero photographs. Comparisons were also made between interpretations of conventional black-and-white panchromatic aerial photography—used extensively throughout the world by agriculturalists and foresters—and those derived from color infrared photography (a false-color tri-emulsion layer reversal film type originally developed for military purposes). Results indicate that while color offers only a slight increase in interpretation accuracy (at an added cost) over black and white, other factors involved may be even more significant. These include considerable savings possible in man hours and labor costs through the possibility of faster and less fatiguing analysis by the interpreters.