Exploration and Development of ASTER Indices for Use in Digital Soils Mapping

Various indices (band ratios) have been developed from ASTER (Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer) data and have been shown to be indicative of soil mineral constituents and lithology. The utility of existing band ratios and the development of new indices are being explored for digital soils mapping in the Mojave Desert Ecosystem. How or if the temporal variation in vegetation as measured by vegetation indices can be useful in the discrimination of soil properties is being investigated. ASTER mosaics of the study area, which includes Joshua Tree National Park, are being used along with pedon data and the ASTER spectral library to determine which soil properties are most likely to be accurately estimated with this data source.