Using Remote Sensing to Optimize Management Strategies for Invasive Plant Control Jim Bean Jennifer Vollmer, Ph.D. Daniel Watts Professional Vegetation Management Group BASF Corporation

Environmental Resource Specialists Jennifer Vollmer Jim Bean

Why Map? Diagnose the problem ‘Lookout Towers’ / Early detection Search & (rescue) destroy Create inventory: what, where, how much More efficient use of resources Weed survey is an important aspect of land health

Choosing a Method How large is the area? How long will it take? How much will it cost? Will methods meet the goals?

Hyper-spectral Imaging Photo imaging by aircraft Full coverage Multiple weeds Multiple non-weeds Abundance / Density GIS layer Treatment Optimization –Can reduce treatment cost and increase herbicide efficiency

BEALS CREEK Colorado River Basin, TX Case Study = Saltcedar

Actual Northstar treatment map Generated from HSI plus Applicator GIS system combined ~1000 acres sprayed Estimated 400 acres of saltcedar received spray 40% Efficiency overall = treated area = Saltcedar Sprayed area with no vegetation Missed this large population

Actual Cost Saltcedar density* Spray EfficiencyAcres saltcedar/ Acres treated Treatment Cost %46.4/86.6$17, %20.1/43.9$8, %66.7/118$13,596 $40,113 Acres of saltcedar divided by the total infested area Density 0.1 = ~27 trees / 30x30 meter Case Study Beals Creek 3 Example treatment Section

Treatment Optimization LAYER 1 Determine cost effective treatment –Herbicide application method Aerial Ground Spot treatment (foliar) –Biological Appropriate site –Mechanical

Treatment Optimization LAYER 2 Appropriate Treatment –Density –Abundance of desirable plants –Proximity to urban area –Other customer concern quantified parameter

= aerial = ground = biological BEALS CREEK Colorado River Basin, TX

Actual Cost Saltcedar density* Spray EfficiencyAcres saltcedar/ Acres treated Treatment Cost %46.4/86.6$17, %20.1/43.9$8, %66.7/118$13,596 $40,113 $15, /78.785%0.17 $5, /29.369%0.14 $11, /57.780%0.16 $33,708 Cost Utilizing HSI data * Acres of saltcedar divided by the total infested area

Actual Herbicide Use Saltcedar density* Spray EfficiencyAcres saltcedar/ Acres treated Herbicide Applied %46.4/ gal %20.1/ gal %66.7/11859 gal gal /78.785% /29.369% /57.780% gal Herbicide Utilizing HSI data * Acres of saltcedar divided by the total infested area

Treatment Optimization LAYER 3 Appropriate Treatment –Fuel management need –Site Access –Landowner preference –Aesthetics

= aerial = ground = biological = mechanical = cut stump BEALS CREEK Colorado River Basin, TX

Mechanical Cost Cut + treat $1200 to >$5000 /acre Dozer/Chipper/etc. $300 / hr 4 hr / acre

Cost Trt methodAcresCostHerbicide Biological14015 days Ground560$28,00022 gal Aerial610$12, gal Cut Stump120$144,0006 gal Mechanical50$60,000 Total 1480 $244, gal

Total Project dollars needed Budget: Phase 1 HSI / Planning 40,000acre $80,000 Phase 2 Treatment 244,200 + herbicide Monitoringcovered / Phase 1 Follow-up treatment minimal

Benefits Many uses of remote sensing data Treatment optimization Most efficient use of resources Monitor and measure effectiveness

Summary BASF would like to discuss your remote sensing needs (east) (west)

Thank You!