Using NDVI along with regular RGB and NIR bands for image classification

Decoding Nature’s Signals: How NDVI Supercharges Image Classification

Ever looked at an aerial photo and wished you could see more than just pretty colors? That’s where the magic of remote sensing comes in, and it gets even more interesting when we talk about image classification. Sure, your regular RGB (Red, Green, Blue) images give you a familiar view, and adding NIR (Near-Infrared) is like putting on special glasses. But what if you could crank up the detail even further? Enter NDVI, or the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index – think of it as a secret weapon for understanding plant life from above.

The Band Lineup: More Than Just Meets the Eye

Let’s break down the team:

• RGB Bands: These are your everyday colors, showing you what you’d see with your own eyes. They’re great for context, but sometimes they just don’t cut it when you need to dig deeper.

• NIR Band: This is where things get interesting. Healthy plants are like disco balls for near-infrared light, bouncing it back like crazy. This band helps us spot vegetation and gauge its vigor.

• NDVI: Now, this is the star player. NDVI takes the NIR and red bands and crunches them into a single number that tells you how green and healthy the vegetation is. The formula looks like this:

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