Spectral indices in remote sensing of soil: definition, popularity, and issues. A critical overview

Serving as a powerful proxy in remote sensing studies, spectral indices can generate meaningful environmental interpretation from either raw or atmospherically corrected spectral data, and characterise and quantify some important properties of various objects on Earth’s surface. However, while numerous spectral indices have been developed over time, since the very launch of civilian satellites until now, some critical issues in their usage, such as comparability, remain scarcely studied, which may lead to incorrect, inconsistent, and unreliable results.

In this study, we collected 471 spectral indices of various environment components (vegetation, water, and soil) that might be leveraged for soil studies, and traced their popularity in scientific publications over the past decades. The bibliometric analysis revealed a growing interest and utilisation of spectral indices as Earth-observing satellite technology advanced. Based on both literature and, for sake of complementation and illustration, some targeted regional-scale case studies, we discuss the issues of naming confusion, comparability, applicability, accuracy trade-offs, and reproducibility of using spectral indices.

Overall, this overview provides an extensive list of spectral indices, both soil indices and soil-related indices, that can be useful for characterising these environment components by remote sensing. It draws attention to some misuses and confusions that must be avoided to prevent scientific pitfalls. The comparisons between different spectral indices, sensors, and correction methods, highlight the confusing effects that the misuse and non-standardised practices of the spectral indices useful for soil, may have on soil property mapping and monitoring. Insights to the judicious and appropriate usage of spectral indices in the remote sensing of soil are provided.