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Mapping giant salvinia with satellite imagery and image analysis
J H Everitt1, R S Fletcher, H S Elder
1USDA-ARS, Weslaco, TX 78596, USA. Jeveritt@weslaco.ars.usda.gov
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment
|May 23, 2007
Summary
QuickBird multispectral satellite imagery effectively distinguished giant salvinia (Salvinia molesta) in a Texas reservoir. This remote sensing approach proved excellent for mapping invasive aquatic vegetation in complex habitats.
Area of Science:
- Remote Sensing
- Ecology
- Invasive Species Management
Background:
- Giant salvinia (Salvinia molesta) is an invasive aquatic plant that can cause significant ecological and economic damage.
- Effective monitoring and mapping are crucial for managing invasive species like giant salvinia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the utility of QuickBird multispectral satellite imagery for distinguishing giant salvinia in a large reservoir.
- To assess the accuracy of different composite image types for mapping this invasive plant.
Main Methods:
- Utilized QuickBird multispectral satellite imagery with blue, green, red, and near-infrared bands.
- Employed unsupervised image analysis for classification of imagery.
- Assessed classification accuracy using producer's and user's accuracies for giant salvinia.
Main Results:
- Classification accuracies for giant salvinia ranged from 87.8% to 93.5%.
- Color-infrared, normal color, and four-band composite images demonstrated excellent performance.
- Satellite imagery successfully distinguished giant salvinia within a complex field habitat.
Conclusions:
- QuickBird multispectral satellite imagery is a highly effective tool for mapping giant salvinia infestations.
- Remote sensing offers a viable and accurate method for monitoring invasive aquatic vegetation in large water bodies.
