One common intrusive types is so prevalent that you can see it from space.
The University of Cincinnati found that satellite images can identify nonnative and intrusive Amur honeysuckle, a decorative shrub presented from Asia that has spread in forests throughout much of the United States.
UC graduate Bridget Taylor, UC biology professor Denis Conover and UC location professor Richard Beck used satellite imagery to find nonnative invasive Amur honeysuckle in several urban parks and cemeteries from area.
Utilizing one of the satellites in a series of Earth-observing objectives jointly managed by NASA and the U.S. Geological Study, the Landsat-8 satellite can determine the reflection of wavelength energy at a loss and near-infrared bands. The ratio of the two wavelengths assists scientists identify foliage of different plants from orbit.
UC discovered that the method was effective in identifying Amur honeysuckle, according to a study published in the journal Ecological Repair.
Amur honeysuckle bushes grow in thick spots, typically crowding out and outcompeting other plants in a forest’s understory. It has a prolonged growing season, leafing out earlier and remaining green far later on in the year than numerous native trees and shrubs.
UC utilized Landsat-8 images to examine 5 urban forests in Greater Cincinnati.
” The fact that it was possible to utilize the satellite images in an urban setting was quite distinct,” stated Taylor, the study’s lead author.
” Urban locations have a lot of noise in satellite imagery. It’s harder to identify specific information,” she stated.
Taylor has actually participated in efforts to eradicate the nonnative Amur honeysuckle in locations like Burnet Woods, the park surrounding to UC’s Classy school.
” It’s really bushy. Birds like to consume the berries and spread the seeds,” she stated. “It has a chance to green up and leaf out sooner than native plants, so native wildflowers typically get exterminated when they’re growing under honeysuckle.”
The research study shows that satellite images can supply a reliable, low-cost option to utilizing drones or ground surveys to recognize larger patches of the intrusive bushes for environmental remediation, Taylor stated.
