Cartosat-1 Image Segmentation Technique for Shade Tree Crown Density in Tea Gardens of East India in Relation to Terrain Geometry

One of the factors determining tea quality is shadow casting by the shade trees. Besides regulating incoming solar radiation shade trees also helps maintaining the moisture in soil and nutrient recycling. However the optimum shade density depends upon the elevation, slope and aspect. In the present study image segmentation technique was employed on Cartosat-1 data to capture the vertical crown density of the shade trees. Significant positive correlations (r 2 =0.91) were found between observed and measured vertical crown density. Based upon the crown density the tea gardens were classified. Further the relation between crown density and terrain parameters has been analysed. Significant negative correlation was observed with elevation (-0.590) and slope (-0.627) which indicates that to increase in elevation and/or percent slope the shade density decreases.