Suitability of a single imager multispectral sensor for tree health analysis

Abstract

Abstract The objective of this project was to validate the efficacy of a miniature multispectral, single-sensor camera for detecting stress in deciduous juvenile tree foliage in a controlled environment. To that end, deciduous liners (one year old, nursery-grown transplants) representing five tree species (Celtis occidentalis L., Gleditsia triacanthos forma inermis Schneid, Gymnocladus dioicus (L.) K. Koch, Quercus rubra L., and Ulmus americana L.) were containerized and subsequently subjected to two treatments representing common landscape site stresses: drought and elevated soil pH. To minimize any atmospheric effects on reflectance values, the trees were placed in enclosed, artificially lit chambers during the detection process. The normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) was utilized as the metric for analysis. Results showed the single imager sensor derived NDVI values were reliable indicators of tree stress within the species groups. Results also revealed that the derived values were not reliable indicators of tree stress across the species groups.