multispec remote sensing tutorial manual

Multispectral Remote Sensing Tutorial Manual: Understanding and Working with Multi-Band Raster Data in R

As remote sensing professionals, we often encounter multi-band raster data, which consists of multiple layers or bands containing information derived from various sources. In this tutorial, we will explore the basics of working with multispectral imagery data stored within multiple bands in R.

One common way to visualize multi-band images is by plotting each band individually using a grayscale color gradient. When rendered together in a Geographic Information System (GIS) or image software like Photoshop, the three bands create a color image. A color image consists of three bands: red, green, and blue, which are the colors our eyes can see within the visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum.

To work with multi-band rasters in R, we need to change how we import and plot our data. Previously, we used the raster() function to open raster data in R. However, this approach is not suitable for working with multispectral imagery data stored within multiple bands. Instead, we will use the stack() function to import multi-band raster data.

The stack() function allows us to combine multiple rasters into a single object, making it easier to work with and analyze our data. To plot a 3-band raster image, we can use the plotRGB() function instead of the standard plot() function.

In this tutorial, we will learn how to import multi-band raster data, identify the number of bands stored in a multi-band raster, export an RGB image as a Geotiff using writeRaster(), and open an RGB image with 3-4 bands in R using plotRGB().

After completing this tutorial, you will be able to:

* Plot various band composites in R, including True Color (RGB) and Color Infrared (CIR)

* Identify the number of bands stored in a multi-band raster in R

* Export an RGB image as a Geotiff using writeRaster()

* Open an RGB image with 3-4 bands in R using plotRGB()

To complete this tutorial, you will need a computer with internet access and the data for Week 7 of the course. Download the Week 7-9 Data (~500 MB) Multispectral Imagery in R.

By following this tutorial, you will gain a better understanding of how to work with multi-band raster data in R and be able to apply these skills in your remote sensing projects.

Multispec remote sensing tutorial manual