Some words of wisdom concerning strategies for picking training sites prior to computer classification are introduced. The idea behind signature extension as an alternative to extracting signature data from training sites is considered. The problem inherent in the term "mixed pixels" is explained with an illustration; appropriate solutions are hinted at.

The primary reason for setting up training sites in situ is to determine and define Land Cover/Use categories for us to classify (map) a geographically located scene, using space observations, assisted by other information sources. We must carefully select the sites in sufficient number, size and shape, variety, homogeneity, and distribution to maximize the accuracy of classification in the imagery. The categories fall into three broad surface classes: vegetated (arbitrarily, more than 40% cover); non-vegetated (rock, soil, water, works of man); and topographic types. Sensor resolution may limit class size. The total number of sites depends in part on the number of classes, their diversity, and the areal dimensions of the scene. Usually, a minimum of three sites per class is sufficient, but if the class has notable variability, we may need more. Even for an entire Landsat scene, in which we may seek 15 to 25 classes, the 30 or more required training sites will commonly occupy about 1/20th of the image's area. In most instances, locating sites depends mainly on their accessibility and our ability to pinpoint them in the imagery. Sites associated with linear features (roads) or possessing recognizable interfaces with other features (e.g., fields) are usually most effective.

13-3: Given a satellite-mounted sensor operating in the Visible-Near IR that has a spatial resolution of 500 meters. State three classes or features that will be well suited to observations at this level. Mention two that won't. ANSWER

The alternative to depending on training sites for classification is to apply the concept of signature extension. This term refers to the assumption that we may define a single, fairly constant, spectral signature as characteristic of any class, and that this signature has broad (universal) applicability to any scene in a region, or even worldwide. As a specific example, the signature for mature winter wheat should be essentially the same for fields in the U.S. Great Plains, Argentina, the Ukraine, and Australia, provided we compensate for such variables as differing air masses, Sun position, soil types, soil moisture, etc. If that assumption proves true, then an unknown feature or class in a given scene anywhere should be classifiable by comparing its spectral properties (for a Landsat pixel, its multiband digital number [DN] values) to a data bank containing standard values for many classes. We assume the closest fit of the unknown's DN values to those of a class in the bank identifies it.

13-4: Look out your nearest window and gaze over the scene outside. Now, pretend you have a spectrometer available and wish to obtain spectral signatures for a data bank. Think of problems you might encounter. ANSWER

This approach usually works well (i.e., achieves an acceptable accuracy) for a few common features such as clear water bodies, clouds, snow, desert sand, several common rock types, certain forest types, and perhaps central urban areas. However, in most cases, signature extension is unreliable for such reasons as 1) the natural variability of most classes, 2) the "mixed pixel" problem (see below), 3) the often artificial or arbitrary way in which we set up many spectral classes (e.g., we classify rocks [name them] by mineral content and texture, which may bear no direct or simple relationship to gross spectral properties), 4) the influence of (usually undetermined) differences in atmospheric conditions from place to place and on different dates, 5) the seasonal variability of vegetation, and 6) the inability to account for and correct other variables.

A "mixed pixel" results from the fact that individual areas, consisting of different features or classes may be below (smaller than) the resolution of the sensor. Consider this hypothetical "map" of a rural setting

13-5: In the above figure, pick out the two "worst" pixels in terms of mixture. ANSWER

In this instance, we treat each category as though it were more or less homogeneous. As imaged by a sensor whose instantaneous field of view (IFOV) (controlled by optics and sampling rates) leads to a small pixel size, if an individual pixel happens to lie completely within, or fortuitously coincides with, the boundaries of a given class, then the multiband spectral properties of the dominant material(s) in the enclosed class will determine the DNs for that pixel. It is more likely, however, that the pixel will straddle or cut across several class or feature boundaries. The resulting spectral content is then a composite or weighted average of the spectral responses from each internal class. Recognition of each feature or class becomes difficult, since there are two primary unknowns to account for-the identity of the class and its relative proportion in the mix. Mathematical methods are available to solve for these unknowns, but there always remains some statistical uncertainty. One improvement is to reduce pixel size (increase resolution), as is done in the central rectangle above, so that more pixels fall within the space occupied by a single class/feature and fewer pixels cross boundaries. Going in the other direction, note the effect of enlarging the pixel, say, to the size of the outer boundary of the cluster of nine. The key rule in optimizing classification is to seek a resolution that approximates the sizes of the smallest specific classes whose identities we seek.