Journal Article

Benefits of hyperspectral remote sensing for tracking plant invasions

Nagendra, Harini, Neteler, Markus, He, Kate S., Rocchini, Duccio

2011

Overview

Aim We aim to report what hyperspectral remote sensing can offer for invasion ecologists and review recent progress made in plant invasion research using hyperspectral remote sensing. Location United States. Methods We review the utility of hyperspectral remote sensing for detecting, mapping and predicting the spatial spread of invasive species. We cover a range of topics including the trade-off between spatial and spectral resolutions and classification accuracy, the benefits of using time series to incorporate phenology in mapping species distribution, the potential of biochemical and physiological properties in hyperspectral spectral reflectance for tracking ecosystem changes caused by invasions, and the capacity of hyperspectral data as a valuable input for quantitative models developed for assessing the future spread of invasive species. Results Hyperspectral remote sensing holds great promise for invasion research. Spectral information provided by hyperspectral sensors can detect invaders at the species level across a range of community and ecosystem types. Furthermore, hyperspectral data can be used to assess habitat suitability and model the future spread of invasive species, thus providing timely information for invasion risk analysis. Main conclusions Our review suggests that hyperspectral remote sensing can effectively provide a baseline of invasive species distributions for future monitoring and control efforts. Furthermore, information on the spatial distribution of invasive species can help land managers to make long-term constructive conservation plans for protecting and maintaining natural ecosystems.

• Publisher: Blackwell Publishing Ltd,Blackwell Publishing,Blackwell,John Wiley & Sons, Inc
• Subject: Animal, plant and microbial ecology / Applied ecology / Biochemical and physiological properties / BIODIVERSITY REVIEW / Biological and medical sciences / Dispersal / Ecological invasion / Ecosystem studies / Ecosystems / Environmental changes / Environmental conservation / Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology / General aspects / General aspects. Techniques / geographical distribution / habitats / Invasions / Invasive species / Land management / Nonnative species / phenological change / Phenology / Plant ecology / plant invasion / Plants / predictive models / reflectance / Remote sensing / Risk analysis / Sensors / spatial and spectral resolutions / Spatial distribution / Spatial resolution / species spatial spread / Spectral reflectance / Spectral resolution / spectral signature / Teledetection and vegetation maps / time series analysis