recognition. Forest association variance in heavily 
dissected terrain is revealed by preliminary research 
results by Yuill, 1992, Mills et al, 1963, and others. 
USDA/USFS preliminary investigations, and Yuill, 1992, 
indicate that a one-half meter to fifteen meter (0.5 - 15.0) 
IFOV/multi-spectral electro-optical systems are useful in 
identifying vegetation species and associations. 
Previously, TM data were evaluated utilizing an optical 
image processing system. This parallel set of processes 
was performed by digital Fast Fourier Transforms (FFT) 
and filters (Oberly and Brumfield, 1991). Results showed 
a three to five data number variance, in a very low 
frequency sinusoidal wave, for the TM band 1 data. 
Further, utilization of the MIPS digital image processing 
systems on the October 2, 1989 TM band 2 data 
demonstrated that more apparent patterns were present in 
the West Virginia forested mountain data (Bloemer and 
Brumfield, 1992). These periodicity and interference 
patterns can greatly impact geobiophysical modeling of 
data, e.g., forest canopy parameters such as the 'red-edge 
effect, in assessing the health of the forests(Oberly and 
Brumfield, 1991; Bloemer and Brumfield, 1992; Gross, et 
al, 1987). Further, these parameters in pattern 
recognition, must be taken into account, for they can affect 
the validity of a model's outcome(Peterson, et al, 1988; 
Wessman, et al, 1989; Card, et al, 1988). The contention 
of these researchers is that the periodicities and higher 
spatial frequencies occurring in nature can be effectively 
utilized to enhance feature extraction given the spatial 
resolution to identify these higher frequency associations. 
This research investigates varying spatial frequencies 
without modifying the spectral nature of the data other 
than transforming from an optical to a digital domain. 
Utilizing spatially adjusted variables can lead to more 
reliable modeling of geobiophysical data for forestation 
cycles, geologic and hydrologic processes for long term 
forest ecological assessment and global change impact 
evaluation (Wriggley, et al, 1985). These variables may 
involve the biosphere, atmosphere and climate, particularly 
with emphasis on altitude, latitude, slope, aspect and 
micro-climate variations in mountainous terrain (Tucker, et 
al, 1985). 
This paper is part of a scientific research program in the 
early stages of design and strategic implementation 
planning and investigation. Because of West Virginia's 
dissected plateau mountainous terrain, the identification of 
forest associations in current SPOT, Landsat TM and MSS 
systems do not provide spatial resolutions of suitable 
accuracy in forest association/species identification or 
physiognomic analysis in ecosystem evaluation, 
management or global change mitigation(Bloemer, et al, 
1994). One result, as a component of the research, is the 
US Forest Service's evaluation of very high resolution 
multi spectral electro-optical systems from aerial platforms 
for imaging forest associations and species for visual 
interpretation and identification with a high rate of 
success(Yuill, 1992). These electro-optical systems have 
similar bands as NASA's LANDSAT designs involving 
visible and near infrared spectra. Their IFOV range is 
typically 0.5m to 11m. We contend that higher resolution 
systems are increasingly using spatial frequencies that are 
likely to be problematic but can enhance feature extraction 
60 
in the digital and optical domains (Oberly and Brumfield, 
1991; Bloemer et al, 1994 and Yuill, 1992). 
Digital and optical feature extraction of sensor data from 
aerial platforms are investigated, compared and evaluated 
for pattern recognition. This is accomplished via very high 
spatial resolution simulated multi-spactral data from 
scanned photography for forest associations. Naturally 
occurring periodicities of geologic, hydrologic, climatic and 
biologic features tend to have higher frequencies in 
mountainous terrain. Therefore, these researchers 
contend that understanding the expression of naturally 
occurring spatial frequencies is germane to understanding 
forest ecological and geologic patterns in mountainous 
terrain associated with higher spatial frequency multi 
spectral system data. This research is focused on the 
forest associations data for future generation simulator, 
aerial and orbital sensor systems design and engineering 
for longer term evaluation of the ecological conditions 
associated with existing research programs, particularly, 
those using forest and earth resources in mountainous 
terrain. 
RESEARCH METHODS AND TECHNIQUES: 
In nature there are spatial frequencies related to 
geologic, hydrologic, climatic and biologic features 
particularly in mountainous terrain. A data collection 
system with current non military orbital high IFOV sensor 
systems cannot resolve the high spatial frequencies and 
is, therefore, inadequate in forest species and association 
identification in mountainous terrain. These systems and 
data were investigated at the participating universities and 
NASA with the optical transform instrumentation and 
digital image processing software available in a 
geobiophysical modeling environment (Oberly and 
Brumfield, 1991). It is proposed to look at the sensor data 
in question through parallel investigations of optical and 
digital transforms and feature extraction techniques, 
partially funded through a NASA EPSCOR grant. Cluster 
analysis, discriminate analysis, analysis of variance and 
field analysis are utilized in evaluating natural and sensor 
identified spatial frequencies. 
Study Area - Rationale for Appalachian Mountain Site 
Selection 
The Spruce Knob USGS 7.5 minute quadrangle is chosen 
for its representative eastern United States mountainous 
forested conditions with high natural spatial frequencies 
and periodic disturbances by forest management 
practices, agricultural and recreational impacts. These 
mountains are northeast/southwest trending of folded and 
heavily eroded sedimentary rocks. Stream patterns are 
trellis accented with natural and manmade ponds/lakes. 
Strata of Pennsylvanian and Ordivician age underlie the 
area. Northern deciduous hardwood forest and red spruce 
with patches of red pine compose the 1000 m plus 
elevation vegetation communities(Adams et al, 1989). 
Further, sources of periodicities may well be the 
underlying geology. faults, joints, fractures, commonly 
International Archives of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing. Vol. XXXI, Part B7. Vienna 1996 
-7L" (0D Q9 "CO CX «2 —'v € (qv vy 
Mr 
2e TVS HM) ss Or SO 0 2 0 go ry 
© 
t0 OQ (C)0 QR TAQ]