ACCURACY ANALYSIS OF SENTINEL 2A AND LANDSAT 8 OLI+ SATELLITE DATASETS OVER KANO STATE (NIGERIA) USING VEGETATION SPECTRAL INDICES

Abstract. This study explores the capabilities of Sentinel-2 over Landsat-8 Operational Land Imager (OLI) imageries for vegetation monitoring in the vegetated region of Minjibir LGA in Kano State. Accurate vegetation mapping is essential for monitoring crop and sustainable agricultural practice. Vegetation indices, comprising the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Green Chlorophyll Index (GCI), Leaf Area Index (LAI) and Moisture Stress Index (MSI) were determined for each year. The findings showed an increase in Sentinel 2A value of the vegetation indices with respect to Landsat 8 throughout the time of the study (2015–2019). The best average performance over the supervised classification was obtained using Sentinel-2A bands, which are dependent on the training sample and resolution. While the spectral consistency of the data was inferred by cross-calibration analysis using regression analysis. The spatial consistency was assessed by descriptive statistical analysis of examined variables. Regarding the spatial consistency, the mean and standard deviation values of all variables were steady for all seasons excluding for the mean value of the LAI and MSI. Based on this finding, it is recommended that Sentinel-2A data could be used as a complementary data source with Landsat 8 OLI in vegetation assessment.