Using high-resolution,multispectral imagery to assess the effect of soil properties on vegetation reflectance at an abandoned feedlot |
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| Authors: | Prosper Gbolo Phil J Gerla Gregory S Vandeberg |
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| Institution: | 1. Harold Hamm School of Geology and Geological Engineering, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks ND, USA;2. Geography Department, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks ND, USA |
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| Abstract: | Remotely sensed multispectral imagery, soils and graminoid samples from an abandoned cattle feedlot and adjacent wetlands were used to characterize plant vigour and soil nutrient distribution and evaluate the relationship between soil properties and vegetation reflectance. The feedlot lies on a sandy beach ridge, which likely mitigates the mobility of soil phosphorus. Soil phosphorus remains concentrated directly beneath the feedlot pens, where vegetation indices are low. In contrast, nitrate is transported through preferential pathways into the wetlands, where vegetation indices and plant vigour are high. Although spectral vegetation indices did not show any significant relationship with plant tissue nutrient concentration, the indices showed statistically significant relationships to some soil properties. Results of this study indicate that the abundance of nutrients in the soil does not necessarily enhance plant growth. This can limit the extent that remotely sensed vegetation indices can be used to evaluate soil nutrients concentrations. |
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| Keywords: | abandoned feedlot remote sensing vegetation index nutrient |
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