An ArcGIS Pro workflow to extract vegetation indices from aerial imagery of small‐plot turfgrass research

Collection of multispectral imagery from an aerial sensor is a means to
obtain plot-level vegetation index (VI) values; however, post-capture
image processing and analysis remain a challenge for small-plot
researchers. An ArcGIS Pro workflow of two task items was developed with
established routines and commands to extract plot-level VI values
(Normalized Difference VI, Ratio VI, and Chlorophyll Index-Red Edge) from
multispectral aerial imagery of small-plot turfgrass experiments. Users
can access and download task item(s) from the ArcGIS Online platform for
use in ArcGIS Pro. The workflow standardizes the processing of aerial
imagery to ensure repeatability between sampling dates and across site
locations. A guided workflow saves time with assigned commands, ultimately
allowing users to obtain a table with plot descriptions and index values
within a .csv file for statistical analysis. The workflow was used to
analyze aerial imagery from a small-plot turfgrass research study
evaluating herbicide effects on St. Augustinegrass [Stenotaphrum
secundatum (Walt.) Kuntze] grow-in. To compare methods, index values were
extracted from the same aerial imagery by TurfScout, LLC and were obtained
by handheld sensor. Index values from the three methods were correlated
with visual percentage cover to determine the sensitivity (i.e., the
ability to detect differences) of the different methodologies.