High-Resolution NDVI Mapping for Urban Vegetation Analysis in Erbil City: A Comparative Study of UAV and Satellite Data

Abstract

Urbanization contributes to enormous adjustments in plant cover, impacting environmental health and atmosphere services. This study compares the effectiveness of two remote sensing platforms, a UAV equipped with a Mapir digital camera and the PlanetScope satellite, in detecting and tracking vegetation conditions in Erbil city using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index. The study analyzes vegetation coverage and condition, and classifies areas into five categories based on calculated Normalized Difference Vegetation Index values. The UAV, with a spatial resolution of 5.5 cm, offers higher precision compared to the PlanetScope satellite, with a spatial resolution of 3 m. Despite the difference in spatial resolution, both platforms demonstrate a strong correlation (R² = 0.90) in vegetation classification. The UAV platform outperformed the satellite in detecting smaller-scale vegetation features, leading to better distinction between vegetated and non-vegetated areas. Results indicate that spatial resolution significantly influences area coverage accuracy, with the UAV detecting finer details. The largest discrepancy was observed in Class 2 (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index range 0 – 0.2), where the percentage difference was 25.777%. The smallest discrepancy occurred in Class 1 (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index range: < 0), with a percentage difference of 0.363%. These results reveal the value of high-resolution UAV-based remote sensing for urban vegetation monitoring and its capability to support sustainable urban planning initiatives.