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Title: CANOPY SPECTRA AND REMOTE SENSING OF GIANT REED AND ASSOCIATED VEGETATION

Author
item Everitt, James
item YANG, CHENGHAI - TEXAS A&M
item Deloach Jr, Culver
item Davis, Michael
item Alaniz, Mario
item NIBLING, F L - BUREAU OF RECLAMATION

Submitted to: Weed Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/13/2004
Publication Date: 9/10/2004
Citation: Everitt, J.H., Yang, C., Deloach Jr, C.J., Davis, M.R., Alaniz, M.R., Nibling, F.L. 2004. Canopy spectra and remote sensing of giant reed and associated vegetation. Weed Science. 57:561-569.

Interpretive Summary: Giant reed is an invasive perennial grass that invades wetlands and riparian sites in many areas of the world. It displaces native plants and animals, consumes excessive amounts of water, and alters river channel morphology by retaining sediments and constricting flows. A study was conducted in Texas riparian areas to determine the potential of using remote sensing technology to detect giant reed infestations. Field reflectance measurements showed that giant reed had distinct spectral characteristics. Aerial color-infrared photography and videography were used successfully to distinguish giant reed infestations. A global positioning system (GPS) was integrated with the video imagery that permitted latitude-longitude coordinates of giant reed infestations to be recorded on each image. The GPS coordinates were entered into a geographic information system (GIS) and a map was produced showing the distribution of giant reed along a portion of the Rio Grande River in southwest and west Texas. These results should be of interest to weed specialists and wetland resource managers.

Technical Abstract: This paper describes the spectral light reflectance characteristics of giant reed (Arundo donax) and the application of aerial color-infrared photography (CIR) and videography for distinguishing infestations of this invasive plant species in Texas riparian areas. Airborne videography was integrated with global positioning system (GPS) and geographic information system (GIS) technologies for mapping the distribution of giant reed. Field spectral measurements showed that giant reed had higher near-infrared reflectance than associated plant species in summer and fall. Giant reed had a conspicuous pink image response on the CIR photography and videography. Computer analysis of the photographic and videographic images showed that giant reed infestations could be quantified. Accuracy assessments performed on the classified images had user's and producer's accuracies for giant reed that ranged from 78% to 100%. Integration of the GPS with the video imagery permitted latitude-longitude coordinates of giant reed infestations to be recorded on each image. A long stretch of the Rio Grande River in southwest and west Texas was flown with the photographic and video systems to detect giant reed infestation. The GPS coordinates on the CIR video scenes depicting giant reed infestations were entered into a GIS to map the distribution of this invasive weed along the Rio Grande.