Using IKONOS multispectral satellite imagery to map bottomland hardwood forests in Northwest Louisiana

High-spatial resolution multispectral satellites like QuickBird and IKONOS have dramatically increased the level of detail of satellite imagery when compared to previous coarse resolution satellite sensors. Natural resource managers are able to use these images for research and monitoring.; The objective of this study was to identify and map bottomland hardwood species at Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana using IKONOS satellite imagery. IKONOS satellite imagery was classified using an unsupervised classification method. Test reference control points were used to assess the classification accuracy. Next, the accuracy of a stratified random sample of control points was determined by visual assessment using 1-meter pansharpened imagery. Error matrixes were calculated to compare the two assessment techniques. Kappa statistics and Z-scores (critical value = 1.96 at 95% confidence level) were also calculated for each matrix.; In an attempt to improve accuracy similar categories within the classification scheme were grouped together to form more general classes. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)...