Quantifying organic matter degradation in agricultural fields using PC-based image analysis

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Organic soils are some of the most productive agricultural soils in British Columbia. Because of intensive use, however, this resource is being lost at a rapid rate. Microcomputer-based digital analysis of color aerial photographs in conjunction with spectral measurements can be used to determine the rate of changes and the spatial distribution of organic matter in individual agricultural fields. Using 28 field control sites, it was possible to quantify the soils into three distinct management categories. The field control sites were registered on the digital image, and a supervised cluster analysis was used to create a color-coded map that facilitates the selective management of different soil categories in the field.