1. Quantitative image analysis of the Spectral Characteristics of
Alagar Hills Forest Vegetation
R.Narayanakumar*, K.Kumaraswamy
Abstract
Quantitative
image analysis is the process of making judgment about pixels specifically
based upon their attributes. The information contained in the pixels could be
brought out by interpreting spectral profiles of digital satellite images
through digital image processing techniques.
Understanding the
spectral characteristics gives insight into the nature and diversity of
vegetation groupings in the vegetation dominated area. Direct field
investigations for detailed information on the distribution of certain tree
species or associations are applicable only over a smaller extent. Further, dense reserved forests, such as
Alagar hills, severely hamper direct field investigations due to its dense
vegetative cover and poor accessibility. In such cases studying spectral
characteristics through digital remote sensing images is a very good approach
to study the nature of the vegetation groupings.
Key words: Digital image processing, Spectral Profiles, Spectral
signature, quantitative image analysis, Vegetation groupings, Plant communities
Corresponding authors mail id: r.narayankumar@gmail.com
2.Case Study : Agatti Island, Lakshadweep, India
Agatti is one of the Lakshadweep Islands off the south west coast of india. These
islands are surrounded by lagoons and coral reefs which are inturn surrounded by open
ocean. It consists of coral formations built up on the Laccadive-Chagos, submarine
ridge rising steeply from a depth of about 1500 to 4000m of the west coast of India.
coral reefs, give shelter to a variety of plants and animals, and therefore have the
potential to provide a stream of diverse benefits to the inhabitants of Agatti Island. The
island is flat and scarcely rises more than two meters. They are vulnerable to storms
and sea erosion. Agatti is located at 10°51' North latitude and 72°11' East longitude. It is
the western most islands in the UT of Lakshadweep. It has a total area of 2.7 km². The
island is elongated and is 7. 5 km long. The width varies as we move north to south. It is
1000 meters at its widest point in the north part of the island and tapers off to almost as
little as 100 m width in the south. The southern portion consists of a long narrow stretch
almost 2 km long and an average breadth of 100 mts. An airstrip has been built in this
stretch in 1987. Kalpitti lies further south and it is separated from the airstrip by a
shallow strait of about 200 meters. It is possible to walk to Kalpitti on very low tide
dates.
