Correlation of Rangelands Brush Canopy Cover with Landsat MSS Data

Traditional methods of monitoring brush canopies such as ground survey and aerial photography are not cost effective for large areas. This experiment compared photo-estimated brush canopy closure to Landsat MSS derived vegetation indices. Several vegetation indices were found to be highly correlated to brush canopy cover. The vegetation index which was most highly correlated with brush canopy cover was the GB ratio (Kauth and Thomas Greenness/Kauth and Thomas Brightness, r=0.813). These results suggest that brush canopy cover can be quantified through the use of the Landsat MSS data; however, further research is necessary to determine the transportability between sites of green biomass/brush canopy quantification indices.