Surface material mapping in the English Fenlands using airborne multispectral scanner data

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Abstract
Three approaches have been adopted to assess the importance of individual spectral bands in data from an airborne multispectral scanner flown over part of the English Fenlands; these involve (i) an analysis of the interrelationships between the spectral bands, (ii) a study of the spectral response of materials and (iii) a study of the relationships between physical properties of materials and their spectral responses. Results indicate that where exposed surface materials are found, all spectral bands are strongly positively correlated (r>0.866) with one another, apart from the thermal band 11 which is negatively correlated (r < -0.73) with all other bands. Study of the spectral response of materials suggests that the two middle-infrared bands, 9 and 10, reveal the greatest spectral range and variability, providing maximum contrast in relation to changes in surface material. Additionally, the thermal band 11 is found to be the best discriminator between the sandy central-channel material and surrounding clay materials.