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Forage Production Estimates for Irrigated Meadows from Landsat Data 1
Author(s) -
Cipra J. E.,
Noguerape. E.,
Bryson M. C.,
Lueking M. A.
Publication year - 1980
Publication title -
agronomy journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.752
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1435-0645
pISSN - 0002-1962
DOI - 10.2134/agronj1980.00021962007200050025x
Subject(s) - rangeland , forage , environmental science , hay , biomass (ecology) , vegetation (pathology) , irrigation , agriculture , stipa , pasture , standing crop , remote sensing , geography , agronomy , agroforestry , forestry , biology , medicine , archaeology , pathology
Landsat data have become increasingly useful in agriculture over the past several years. The satellite has been used in mapping soils, determining crop growth and condition, and here to estimate forage production in irrigated native hay meadows in the South Park region of Colorado. The objective of this study was to estimate forage production in irrigated meadows and surrounding rangeland using Landsat digital data and computer analysis. Biomass of standing, above‐ground, green vegetation was estimated by clipping and visual estimates for two growing seasons. Forage production data were compared to Landsat radiance data and ratio‐transformed data using linear regression and analysis of variance. Based on the existing conditions of this study, the use of Landsat data to estimate production appears feasible. However, production estimates will be most reliable if ground data are collected each year.