ARS | Publication request: Remote Sensing of Exotic Invasive Weeds in the Rio Grande System of Texas

Submitted to: Subtropical Plant Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: August 17, 2008
Publication Date: January 30, 2009
Citation: Everitt, J.H., Yang, C., Davis, M.R. 2009. Remote sensing of exotic invasive weeds in the Rio Grande System of Texas. Subtropical Plant Science. 60:38-57.

Technical Abstract: Exotic invasive weeds are a serious problem in the Rio Grande system of Texas. This paper presents the results of several aerial remote sensing studies conducted from 2002 to 2006 on the Rio Grande from its mouth near Brownsville in south Texas to El Paso in west Texas. Weed species addressed include waterhyancith [Eichhornia crassipes (Mort.) Solms.], hydrilla [Hydrilla verticillata (L. F.) Royle], saltcedar (Tamarix chinensis Lour.), giant reed (Arundo donax L.), Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum L.), and wild taro [Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott.]. Aerial photography and videography were used to detect plant species. Video imagery was integrated with global positioning system and geographic information system technologies to develop distribution maps denoting locations of waterhyacinth, hydrilla, saltcedar, giant reed, and Eurasian watermilfoil infestations. Computer analysis of aerial photographs was used to quantify infestations of wild taro and accuracy assessments were performed on the classified maps of the imagery.