USING REMOTE SENSING TO IDENTIFY MOUNTAIN LION HABITAT IN SOUTH TEXAS

Authors: HARVESON, LOUIS - W&FS,TX A&M,COLLEGE ST,TX; SILVY, NOVA - W&FS,TAMU,COLLEGE ST,TX; TEWES, MICHAEL - TAMU, KINGSVILLE,TX; Everitt, James; Escobar, David; Anderson, Gerald; Cavazos Iii, Isabel; Davis, Michael; RUTLEDGE, JIMMY - TX PKS & WILDLF,AUSTIN,TX

Submitted to: Biannual Workshop in Color Photography and Videography in Resource
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/15/1997
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: The expanse and inaccessibility of wildland areas make them difficult to assess with conventional ground surveys. Remote sensing techniques offer a rapid means to classify and identify large expanses of natural vegetation. A study was conducted to evaluate airborne digital imagery to identify mountain lion habitat in a wildland area of southern Texas. Results showed dthat color-infrared digital imagery could be used to identify nine land us classes, including six plant categories in a 3,063 km2 study area. These findings should be of interest to wildlife and natural resource managers.

Technical Abstract: Basic aspects of mountain lion (Puma concolor) ecology are difficult to determine because of their secretive nature, expansive ranges, and relative low densities. Remote sensing is an effective tool for determining habitat relations at the landscape level. As part of an ongoing study, we evaluated the efficiency of remote sensing technology to delineate vegetation communities used by mountain lions in south Texas. Color infrared (CIR) videography, photo-interpretation, and ground-verification techniques were used to identify nine classes, including six plant categories within a 3,063 km2 study area used by mountain lions in south Texas. Remote sensing imagery provides a cost-effective method of assessing mountain lion habitat relations at the landscape level.