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Airborne Hyperspectral Research & Development for Invasive Species Detection and Mapping

Kenneth McGwire, Desert Research Institute, kenm@dri.edu (Presenting)
Timothy Minor, Desert Research Institute, tminor@dri.edu
Bradley Schultz, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension, schultzb@unce.unr.edu
Christopher Kratt, Desert Research Institute, christopher.kratt@dri.edu

This project is testing the ability of airborne and space-borne hyperspectral remote sensing to map and monitor the distribution of specific noxious, non-native plants into rangeland, agricultural, and riparian landscapes of northern Nevada. The selected species include Lepidium latifolium (tall whitetop), Tamarix spp. (tamarisk), and Acroptilon repens (Russian knapweed). Research efforts are being coordinated with the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension (UNCE) office that works with agricultural and land management interests in the area. High spatial resolution (1.5 meter) hyperspectral imagery collected from airborne platforms present a promising way to address basic and applied research questions associated with invasive species, as well as providing a mechanism for better understanding how available methods scale up to satellite-based systems. Hyperspectral imagery is being collected by SpecTIR or Reno, Nevada using the AISA Dual hyperspectral system with the Eagle (VNIR) and Hawk (SWIR) sensors. Analysis methods will include multiple endmember spectral mixture analysis (MESMA) and stepwise discriminant functions. The developed monitoring techniques will complement ongoing control activities such as herbicide spraying and the use of biological control agents. The efforts described herein will feed into the efforts of the National Institute of Invasive Species Science (NISS) at the Fort Collins Science Center in Colorado.

Presentation Type:  Poster

Abstract ID: 62

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