Graduation Year

2024

Document Type

Thesis

Degree

M.A.

Degree Name

Master of Arts (M.A.)

Degree Granting Department

Geosciences

Major Professor

Joni Firat, Ph.D.

Committee Member

Seth Cavello, Ph.D.

Committee Member

Philip Van Beynen, Ph.D.

Keywords

Deliniation, ENVI, GIS, Spectral Analysis, Spectral Profiles

Abstract

Biological, geological, and physical. These are only a handful of the many environmental aspects that wetlands functions maintain and protect. Unfortunately, wetlands within the United States have been razed at an alarming rate. The State of Michigan has not gone through this unscathed either, loosing over 1000 acres of wetland a year. One of the most important tools to prevent this destruction are the maps and programs that show where these essential ecosystems are located. The current, federally-created maps and imaging software in use by environmental consultants and contractors may not be up to date which can pose challenges for wetland monitoring and protection. It is this lack of information that is a major factor in exacerbating wetland loss. The purpose of this study is to create a basis for future methods that would be used to identify wetlands using LANDSAT 8 data, in situ observations, and remote sensing to discover which wetland types have the best chance at being identified using remote sensing techniques. First, a survey of wetlands in Roscommon County, Michigan, was conducted using existing wetland maps and field visits. Second, a spectral analysis was conducted for the wetlands in order to determine if it would be possible to accurately differentiate wetland reflectance profiles from other ecosystems. A total of 31 wetlands were identified in the survey. The spectral analysis revealed that forested and emergent wetlands were more distinguishable from others types using remote sensing. The best range bands to use from LANDSAT 8 are bands 5-7, which corresponds to the wavelengths between 0.85 µm to 2.29 µm. This work has implications for wetland identification in Michigan.

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