Mapping Invasive Species

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The USGS Fort Collins Science Center's Invasive Species Science branch has been mapping the distribution of various invasive, non-native plant species using indices derived from remote sensing as predictors in species distribution modeling algorithms. Indices that distinguish non-native plants from native vegetation include species phenology. In Ethiopia, USGS scientists modeled the current distribution of mesquite (Prosopis juliflora) using indices derived from a time series of Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) imagery.  Similar methods were used to quantify the distribution of invasive cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) in a burned area of southeastern Wyoming. The cheatgrass model was based on indices derived from Landsat 8 imagery. Results will be used by the U.S. Forest Service to guide aerial spraying to control the invasion of cheatgrass.

https://www.fort.usgs.gov/branch/100

Platform
Author Name
Bob Reed
Author Email
reedr@usgs.gov