Progress 09/15/05 to 06/19/09
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416) 1. Demonstrate the cost efficiency and applicability of aerial surveys for resource management. 2. Collect monitoring data critical to effective management of rangelands. 3. Develop a database for prioritizing future monitoring efforts and/or changes in resource management. 4. Lay the foundation for long-term improvements in resource monitoring efficiency and effective data application. Approach (from AD-416) The principle purpose of this project is to test the efficacy of monitoring vegetative communities on public lands through the collection of low-level aerial photography using a sport airplane. The photographs will be analyzed, and measurements made of percent bare ground, vegetative (lifeform�ie. shrub, forb, grass) cover classes, plant densities and other species level data as can be extracted from the imagery. If successful, this form of vegetation monitoring will allow BLM to determine ecological condition, to track changes over time, and to validate information at current monitoring locations on the ground. This technique allows for the capture and archiving of high resolution imagery over a large geographic area in a very short time interval. The rapid nature of the data collection will allow for off-season analysis and for additional ground-truthing to further validate the aerial flight data. This process is expected to improve the precision, efficiency, repeatability, and cost effectiveness of resource monitoring data. Significant Activities that Support Special Target Populations Invasive species constitute a leading threat to native vegetation in wildland settings removed from areas of housing and ranchette development. Monitoring for these species is essential to preserving native-plant community integrity and historic wildland character. Infestations continue to increase and monitoring with conventional ground or lower- resolution aerial data may be part of the problem since these tools are of questionable value for detecting small or dispersed weed populations. In July 2006, we conducted a two-camera aerial survey to obtain images at resolutions of 0.04- and 0.40-inch ground sample distance (GSD, a measure of digital-image resolution) of portions of Idaho�s Medicine Lodge Management Unit (MLMU). The MLMU survey included most of the 2003 Deep Fire Burn. Survey data were used to determine leafy spurge distribution on burned and unburned lands and to relate spurge distribution to positions in the landscape, to associated vegetation, and to control efforts. Leafy spurge was detected in 9% of 0.40-inch GSD samples (images) versus 7% of 0.04-inch GSD samples. We conclude that 0.40-inch GSD is best image resolution for detecting leafy spurge because it optimizes the balance between resolution and the amount of area seen in one image. Bare ground was reduced about 2% where spurge was present, but spurge occurrence was associated with significant decreases in cover of native grasses, broadleaf plants, and sagebrush. Leafy spurge proximity to water was higher than a random distribution would predict. We conclude that leafy spurge remains a significant problem on the MLMU, but that high- resolution aerial surveys, such as was used in this study, are an effective means for monitoring new and dispersed infestations across extensive areas of wildland. Methods used to monitor the activities of this project have included meeting with BLM staff at Idaho Falls, ID, and frequent phone calls and emails reviewing progress toward objectives and cooperative review of results.
Impacts
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Publications
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