The Normalized burn ratio, a Landsat TM radiometric index of burn severity incorporating multi-temporal differencing
Key CH and Benson NC. 2000. The Normalized burn ratio, a Landsat TM radiometric index of burn severity incorporating multi-temporal differencing. USGS. West Glacier, MT
Investigation of two fires that occurred in 1994 in Glacier National Park, MT. From introduction "In this paper we combine advantages of TM spectral ratios and multi-temporal differencing in an attempt to improve burn severity models. We compare performance of several Landsat TM radiometric indices, and explore seasonal data acquisition effects to arrive at an optimal radiometric value and time of year for discriminating burn characteristics. Improvements over previous methods are sought primarily to: 1) consistently distinguish burned from unburned areas; 2) separate recent from older burns; and 3) strengthen and standardize quantification of severity effects so methods and results can be applied and compared within multiple burns across regions. An underlying motivation for this work is the general need of the U.S. National Park Service to assess recent fire effects, and implement a methodology to monitor and compare burns throughout the nation."
- Type
- Unpublished Report
- Authors
- Key, Carl; Benson, Nate
- Date of Issue
- 2000
- Publisher
- USGS
- Units
- GLAC
- Keywords
- Ecology, Fire Ecology, fire severity, Glacier National Park MT, Remote Sensing, Research Methods