Publication detail

Timing Is Important: Unmanned Aircraft vs. Satellite Imagery in Plant Invasion Monitoring

Jana Müllerová, Josef Brůna, Tomáš Bartaloš, Petr Dvořák, Michaela Vítková, Petr Pyšek

Czech title

Důležitost načasování: bezpilotní prostředky a satelitní snímky v monitorování rostlinných invazí

English title

Timing Is Important: Unmanned Aircraft vs. Satellite Imagery in Plant Invasion Monitoring

Type

journal article in Web of Science

Language

en

Original abstract

The rapid spread of invasive plants makes their management increasingly difficult. Remote sensing offers a means of fast and efficient monitoring, but still the optimal methodologies remain to be defined. The seasonal dynamics and spectral characteristics of the target invasive species are important factors, since, at certain time of the vegetation season (e.g., at flowering or senescing), plants are often more distinct (or more visible beneath the canopy). Our aim was to establish fast, repeatable and a cost-efficient, computer-assisted method applicable over larger areas, to reduce the costs of extensive field campaigns. To achieve this goal, we examined how the timing of monitoring affects the detection of noxious plant invaders in Central Europe, using two model herbaceous species with markedly different phenological, structural, and spectral characteristics. They are giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum), a species with very distinct flowering phase, and the less distinct knotweeds (Fallopia japonica, F. sachalinensis, and their hybrid F. × bohemica). The variety of data generated, such as imagery from purposely-designed, unmanned aircraft vehicle (UAV), and VHR satellite, and aerial color orthophotos enabled us to assess the effects of spectral, spatial, and temporal resolution (i.e., the target species' phenological state) for successful recognition. The demands for both spatial and spectral resolution depended largely on the target plant species. In the case that a species was sampled at the most distinct phenological phase, high accuracy was achieved even with lower spectral resolution of our low-cost UAV. This demonstrates that proper timing can to some extent compensate for the lower spectral resolution. The results of our study could serve as a basis for identifying priorities for management, targeted at localities with the greatest risk of invasive species' spread and, once eradicated, to monitor over time any return. The best mapping strategy should reflect morphological and structural features of the target plant and choose appropriate spatial, spectral, and temporal resolution. The UAV enables flexible data acquisition for required time periods at low cost and is, therefore, well-suited for targeted monitoring; while satellite imagery provides the best solution for larger areas. Nonetheless, users must be aware of their limits.

Czech abstract

Článek shrnuje přístupy pro klasifikaci rostlinných invazí na základě dat vzdáleného průzkumu Země. Vyvinutá metodika využívající data z bezpilotního prostředku, který byl navržen na VUT v Brně, vykazuje lepší výsledky než dosud používané satelitní snímky.

English abstract

The rapid spread of invasive plants makes their management increasingly difficult. Remote sensing offers a means of fast and efficient monitoring, but still the optimal methodologies remain to be defined. The seasonal dynamics and spectral characteristics of the target invasive species are important factors, since, at certain time of the vegetation season (e.g., at flowering or senescing), plants are often more distinct (or more visible beneath the canopy). Our aim was to establish fast, repeatable and a cost-efficient, computer-assisted method applicable over larger areas, to reduce the costs of extensive field campaigns. To achieve this goal, we examined how the timing of monitoring affects the detection of noxious plant invaders in Central Europe, using two model herbaceous species with markedly different phenological, structural, and spectral characteristics. They are giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum), a species with very distinct flowering phase, and the less distinct knotweeds (Fallopia japonica, F. sachalinensis, and their hybrid F. × bohemica). The variety of data generated, such as imagery from purposely-designed, unmanned aircraft vehicle (UAV), and VHR satellite, and aerial color orthophotos enabled us to assess the effects of spectral, spatial, and temporal resolution (i.e., the target species' phenological state) for successful recognition. The demands for both spatial and spectral resolution depended largely on the target plant species. In the case that a species was sampled at the most distinct phenological phase, high accuracy was achieved even with lower spectral resolution of our low-cost UAV. This demonstrates that proper timing can to some extent compensate for the lower spectral resolution. The results of our study could serve as a basis for identifying priorities for management, targeted at localities with the greatest risk of invasive species' spread and, once eradicated, to monitor over time any return. The best mapping strategy should reflect morphological and structural features of the target plant and choose appropriate spatial, spectral, and temporal resolution. The UAV enables flexible data acquisition for required time periods at low cost and is, therefore, well-suited for targeted monitoring; while satellite imagery provides the best solution for larger areas. Nonetheless, users must be aware of their limits.

Keywords in Czech

invazní druhy, bolševník, křídlatka, rostlinná phenologie, vzdálený průzkum, UAV

Keywords in English

alien species, giant hogweed, knotweed, plant phenology, remote sensing detection, UAV

Released

31.05.2017

Publisher

Frontiers Media SA

Location

Lausanne, Switzerland

ISSN

1664-462X

Volume

8

Number

Article 887

Pages from–to

1–13

Pages count

13

BIBTEX


@article{BUT139220,
  author="Petr {Dvořák},
  title="Timing Is Important: Unmanned Aircraft vs. Satellite Imagery in Plant Invasion Monitoring",
  year="2017",
  volume="8",
  number="Article 887",
  month="May",
  pages="1--13",
  publisher="Frontiers Media SA",
  address="Lausanne, Switzerland",
  issn="1664-462X"
}