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Title: REMOTE MAPPING OF SALTCEDAR IN THE RIO GRANDE SYSTEM OF TEXAS

Author
item Everitt, James
item YANG, CHENGHAI - TX A&M EXPT STN WESLACO
item DAVIS, MICHAEL - 6204-05-00

Submitted to: Texas Journal of Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/1/2005
Publication Date: 6/15/2006
Citation: Everitt, J.H., Yang, C., Davis, M.R. 2006. Remote mapping of saltcedar in the Rio Grande System of Texas. Texas Journal of Science. 58(1):13-22.

Interpretive Summary: Saltcedar is an invasive shrub that invades riparian areas in the southwestern United States. It displaces native plants, consumes excessive amounts of water, impedes water flow, and increases soil salinity. A study was conducted along the Rio Grande in west Texas to evaluate conventional color aerial photography and videography for detecting saltcedar infestations. Both aerial photography and videography could be used successfully to distinguish saltcedar infestations. A global positioning system (GPS) was integrated with the video imagery that permitted latitude-longitude coordinates of saltcedar 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 saltcedar along the Rio Grande. The results should be of interest to weed specialist' and riparian resource managers.

Technical Abstract: Water shortages in the Rio Grande have been significantly impacted by the invasion and spread of the invasive shrub saltcedar (Tamarix chinensis Lour.). Conventional color aerial photography and videography were acquired simultaneously of the Rio Grande to distinguish saltcedar. The videography was integrated with global positioning system (GPS) and geographic information system (GIS) technologies for detecting and mapping the distribution of saltcedar. Integration of the GPS with the video imagery permitted the latitude-longitude coordinates of saltcedar infestations to be recorded on each image. The GPS coordinates on the video scenes depicting saltcedar infestations were entered into a GIS. Distribution maps were developed denoting the locations of saltcedar infestations along the Rio Grande.