Rural Land Use Analysis via Ektachrome Infrared Photo Interpretation

The study evaluates the utility of Ektachrome Infrared aerial photography in comparison to Ektachrome and panchromatic photography for use in the study of rural land use. Ektachrome Infrared photographs were compared with Ektachrome and panchromatic photos to determine the relative ease, speed and certainty with which features associated with rural land use could be identified and studied. Interpretations of land use were made in all areas of the Asheville Basin which had been photographed with the three types of film. Specific features associated with land use were identified on all three types of photographs, and the differences in signature were noted. The accuracy with which features were identified through photo interpretation was established by spot-checking in the field.