ITT Visual Information Solutions

Invasive Species Management in the Sacramento San Joaquin Valley
For many years, we have known the threat and adverse effects of invasive plant species on our ecosystem. Long after these species have been introduced, the original populations can continue to spread virally and negatively affect other areas. Scientists needed a unique method of providing a comprehensive baseline for documenting the distribution of the invasive species.

With advanced satellite imaging and image analysis software capabilities scientists can detect the presence of these populations and chart their growth. By developing cost-effective and non-intrusive monitoring and mapping methods, we can begin to understand the significant threat that these plants pose to biological diversity and ecological functioning and begin o manage their impact.

In the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Region, the Department of Boating and Waterways (CDBW) and the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) have become particularly concerned about two major invasive plant species: the Brazilian waterweed and water hyacinth. These species cause significant threats to the region, from interfering with recreational and commercial activities to obstructing navigable waterways and blocking irrigation channels.

This project represents one of the largest airborne hyperspectral image acquisition efforts ever undertaken for vegetation mapping purposes. Because of the need to collect accurate visual data in this enormous project, we employed hyperspectral remote sensing. In the past, both aerial and satellite imagery have been applied to mapping invasive vegetation, but these techniques limited our ability to discriminate between species due to low spectral and spatial resolution. Now, airborne hyperspectral remote sensing has provided us with high-quality, easily analyzed images previously unavailable to researchers.

In recent years, hyperspectral remote sensing has shown promising results for species-level mapping. This advanced imaging technique, coupled with aggressive analysis tools like ENVI software from RSI, gave us the opportunity to extract information like never before. ENVI’s exclusive, flexible spectral suite and a friendly graphical user interface allow researchers to perform image processing end-to end. Its’ imaging capabilities range from exploration tools such as the n-D Visualizer to analyzing capabilities with simple wizards or customized algorithms for maximum flexibility.

Using hyperspectral imaging and ENVI, scientists can now detect and manage sources of invasive plant species which can be harmful to the ecosystem. Threats to the ecosystem can be costly to the waterways - both monetarily and health-related. The ENVI solution with hyperspectral imaging is cost-effective, in comparison to potential damage sustained, or to extensive field work to repair damage. Alternatively, scientists would have to perform extensive field work, still without the benefits of the overall picture provided by hyperspectral images processed with ENVI.