Abstract
Weeds can impact many ecosystems, including natural, urban and agricultural environments. This paper discusses core weed biosecurity program concepts and considerations for urban and peri-urban areas from a remote sensing perspective and reviews the contribution of remote sensing to weed detection and management in these environments. Urban and peri-urban landscapes are typically heterogenous ecosystems with a variety of vectors for invasive weed species introduction and dispersal. This diversity requires agile systems to support landscape-scale detection and monitoring, while accommodating more site-specific management and eradication goals. The integration of remote sensing technologies within biosecurity programs presents an opportunity to improve weed detection rates, the timeliness of surveillance, distribution and monitoring data availability, and the cost-effectiveness of surveillance and eradication efforts. A framework (the Weed Aerial Surveillance Program) is presented to support a structured approach to integrating multiple remote sensing technologies into urban and peri-urban weed biosecurity and invasive species management efforts. It is designed to support the translation of remote sensing science into operational management outcomes and promote more effective use of remote sensing technologies within biosecurity programs.
Highlights
While biosecurity approaches and programs are often tailored for different environments and situations, common approaches include enacting a range of surveillance and management measures aimed at prevention, early detection and eradication, containment, and asset protection measures used against weeds
Some distinctions can be made between program components which reflect the differences in aims between them, including 1) the minimum detection size, which is dependent on the weed species and the aim of the biosecurity program, e.g., eradication of new species or monitoring of widespread species, and 2) synoptic data capture, which is critical for monitoring weed distribution over time, while targeted data capture may be more critical for species and population management or eradication (Table 1)
The potential to utilize sources of imagery captured across urban areas for other purposes, for example, for planning and infrastructure projects, may be advantageous for remote-sensing-based weed detection and monitoring applications in urban and peri-urban areas, if the imagery is suitable for the purpose
Summary
Weeds (in this paper defined as alien invasive plants) can impact many ecosystems, including natural, urban and agricultural environments. They can have significant costs in terms of the monetary value associated with eradication efforts and loss of productivity, as well as impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem function. First reported to the authorities managing the alligator weed eradication program in 2009, a subsequent study utilising historical aerial imagery showed alligator weed was present at this site for at least five years before being reported [18] During this time, the infestation had increased substantially, from 290 m2 in 2004 to over 7300 m2 in 2009, and would have produced many propagules capable of dispersal. This example highlights the need for new, innovative approaches for weed surveillance, detection and monitoring
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