GIS/RS Applications in Invasive Species Management and Tracking

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1 Correna Blewett NRS 509 Term Paper 1 December 2012 GIS/RS Applications in Invasive Species Management and Tracking In his 1993 paper, DM Lodge opens with Anthropogenic introduction of species is homogenizing the earth s biota. While this is an extreme statement, there is some validity to it. Over the past century, changes in travel and commerce have resulted in the introduction of many non-indigenous species, especially in the United States. Introductions are not limited to these factors either. Import for agricultural purposes or for collecting purposes (and subsequent escape) also play significant roles in the introduction of non-native species. Realistically, the ranges of species and community structures change over hundreds and thousands of years, however anthropogenic events have greatly accelerated this process (Lodge, 1993). Many of these new plant, animal, and pathogen species have significantly altered many ecosystems, and their presence has undermined native species, typically leading to negative impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem function. Managing invasive species is a complicated endeavor and includes monitoring current communities, and predicting suitable habitats and modes of colonization, as well as prevention and eradication. GIS and remote sensing are useful and accessible technologies that can aid in the collection of data, and simplify analysis. Remote sensing data, including satellite data, allows researchers to glean relevant information from heterogeneous habitats or otherwise inaccessible areas. Integrating remote sensing data with GIS allows the mapping of current invasive populations and the development of predictive models with the integration of multiple types of data. To detect and identify invasive organisms, a wide variety of RS methods have been used including aerial photography, multi-spectral scanners, satellite imagery, varying degrees of high and low spatial and spectral resolution and ground-based spectrometer measurements (Huang and Asner 2009). A successful example of this is the study performed by Asner and Vitousek in In order to determine the effects of the invasive canopy tree Myrica fava in Hawaii, they utilized a NASA Airborne Visible and Infrared Imaging Spectrometer to measure canopy water content, fractional cover, and leaf nitrogen concentrations. This allowed them to track chemical changes in the forest throughout the invasion. While there have been attempts to use remote sensing to detect all sorts of invasive species invasions, it is currently most effective on invasive canopy plants. Often, it is difficult to detect understory plants, animals, and diseases (Joshi et al 2004). Joshi et al (2006), however, found this to be a challenge of interest, and creatively established a method for using RS data to understand under-story populations. They were able to calculate seed production rates in Chromolaena odorata based on the environmental requirements of the species, and thereby predict C. odorata cover and production. This discovery had a significant impact on management strategies.

2 While understanding how invasives work once they have taken over an ecosystem is important, it is of equal or greater importance to understand how they got there in the first place. Understanding vectors and pathways can help prevent the introduction of invasives and can help in preventing the further spread of the previously established species. With the substantial increases in trade and travel, many natural boundaries have been reduced or eliminated. Ballast water, wood pallets, shoes, soil, and imported ornamentals are all examples of a vector for invasives. Given this, it may not be surprising that land use is actually the strongest predictor of invasives presence, according to a 2004 study by Lundgren et al. Lundgren et al systematically analyzed 188 plots for species and percent cover and then compared with human population density. Aerial photographs were used in ArcView to determine on what level of development the land within each plot was, and a least squares multiple regression analysis was used to determine how much influence selected factors had on the presence of invasive species. As it turns out, where there was more human disturbance, there were more invasives. While this links humans with biological invasions, it does not properly explain vector pathways and their influence on the spread of invasives. The Great lakes have been invaded by many species, some successful, some less so. Boating has been determined as a major pathway for the secondary spread of nonnative species to other lakes in the area. Via GIS, the vulnerability of other aquatic habitats can be assessed along with the risk of invasion. These conclusions would be based on the comparison of biotic factors, abiotic factors, alongside spatial and temporal data (Vander Zanden and Olden 2008; Padilla et al 1996). GIS can also be used to determine the likelihood of invasion based on the suitability of environmental factors. A fantastic example of this is the analysis of the spread of the zebra mussel in Lake Erie. Using sidescan sonar surveys in conjunction with bathymetric and sediment data, it was found that zebra mussels readily colonize soft sediment areas, turning them into hard substrate areas. The physical limitations of this species were determined and predictions of further settlement and colonization of new areas could be made. This was also demonstrated by Holcombe et al (2007), who used a Species Environmental Matching (SEM) model to match current species distributions to environmental factors such as climate and topography, called environmental envelopes. Assuming that these relationships were stable, they used HUC polygons at the 8-digit level in a GIS to predict minimum and maximum tolerances of the invasive cane toad, and map potential habitats. As evidenced by the 2007 study by Holcombe et al, the use of GIS can really help researchers to clarify and draw insightful conclusions from masses of data, which is often freely available. It is impossible to create models that will hold true for all species given earth s incredible diversity, however, many researchers have successfully mapped and predicted invasion patterns for prominent non-native species. These frameworks provide a basis for experimentation and innovation to create successful models for other species. The astounding increase in literature on the use of remote sensing and GIS techniques indicates that researchers are doing just that. The continued improvements in prediction abilities due to RS and GIS have profound implications for management protocols and legislation. These include the ability to

3 prevent invasions through appropriate handling of imports and mechanisms for importing, improved detection of invasives at import sites and in important environments, and more appropriate targeting of areas for eradication efforts. It would truly be beneficial financially and socially to promote the use of RS and GIS technologies in many areas such as agriculture, water management, and wildlife management as we encounter increasing environmental shifts. Asner, G. P., P. M. Vitousek Remote Analysis of Biological Invasion and Biogeochemical Change. Proceedings of the Natural Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 102(12): Haltuch, M. A., P. A. Berkman, D. W. Garton Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Analysis of Ecosystem Invastion: Exotic Mussels in Lake Erie. Limnological Oceanography. 45(8): Holcombe, T., T. J. Stohlgren, C. Jarnevich Invasive Species Management and Research Using GIS. Managing Vertebrate Invasive Species. Paper 18. Huang, C., G. P. Asner Applications of Remote Sensing to Alien Invasive Plant Studies. Sensors. 9: Lodge, D.M Biological Invasions: Lessons for Ecology. Trends in Ecology & Evolution. 8(4): Lundgren, M. R., C. J. Small, G. D. Dreyer Influence of Land Use and Site Characteristics on Invasive Plant Abundance in the Quinebaug Highlands of Southern New England. Northeastern Naturalist. 11(3): Joshi, C., J. de Leeuw, I.C. van Duren (2004) Remote Sensing and GIS Applications for Mapping and Spatial Modeling of Invasive Species. ISPRS 2004: Proceedings of the XXth ISPRS Congress: Geo-imagery Bridging Continents, July 2004, Istanbul Turkey. Comm. 7: Joshi, C., J.D. Leeuw, J. van Andel, A. K. Skidmore, H. D. Lekhak, I. C. vanduren, N. Norbu Indirect Remote Sensing of a Cryptic Forest Understory Invasive Species. Forest Ecology and Management. 225: Padilla, D. K., M. A. Chotkowski, L. A. J. Buchan Predicting the Spread of Zebra Mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) to Inland Waters Using Boater Movement Patterns. Global Ecology and Biogeography Letters. 5(6): Vander Zanden, M. J., J. D. Olden A Management Framework for Preventing the Secondary Spread of Aquatic Invasive Species. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences. 65(7):

4 Lundgren, M. R., C. J. Small, G. D. Dreyer Influence of Land Use and Site Characteristics on Invasive Plant Abundance in the Quinebaug Highlands of Southern New England. Northeastern Naturalist. 11(3): This article discusses the influence of land use by humans on the capacity of foreign species to invade particular areas. Invasions are often linked to increases in disturbance (intermediate disturbance hypothesis). This study found increased occurrence of invasive species along roads as opposed to long-forested areas. These findings support the idea that human disturbances such as agriculture, homes, and gardens are likely to introduce non-native species at a higher rate than areas with less disturbance. The tie to previous land-use using GIS technologies and a least squares regression is very interesting. It is not commonly thought about, but many species live within very specific parameters. When these change, it is difficult for some species to recolonize, which in turn makes room for species with various competitive advantages. This was a very thoughtful article. Hunt Jr., E. R., J. H. Everitt, J.C. Ritchie, M. S. Moran, D. T. Booth, G. L. Anderson, P. E. Clark Applications and Research Using Remote Sensing for Rangeland Management. Photogrammetric Engineering & Remote Sensing. 69(6): This article discusses the potential for the use of remote sensing technologies in rangeland management. Rangeland is land that is not suitable for crop production due to inconsistent precipitation, but is useful for grazing. Rangeland monitoring theory has progressed to a successional model with multiple end-state communities rather than a single climax community. Plant communities are now classified by production, soil type, hydrology, etc. and a method that would make it easy to classify land based on successional state is desired. Hunt et al correctly identify the need for easy evaluation of the impact of invasive species. They discuss extensively various remote sensing methods and imagery, as well as appropriate algorithms, which this reader found enlightening. In addition, they enumerate on the applicability of these technologies in the making of various decisions, for example, stocking. Joshi, C., J.D. Leeuw, J. van Andel, A. K. Skidmore, H. D. Lekhak, I. C. vanduren, N. Norbu Indirect Remote Sensing of a Cryptic Forest Understory Invasive Species. Forest Ecology and Management. 225: Due to their size, ecological roles, and abiotic parameters, many invasive species are nearly impossible to study using remote sensing. This article addresses the difficulties of monitoring non-canopy species. Clearly, a great deal of thought went into this study to find a viable method for accurately estimating population size and growth rate. By utilizing ground-level data on the ecological relationship of C. odorata with its environment (light limitations, grazing rates, etc.), the researchers concluded that distribution was affected by environmental variability. From this, they were able to calculate the effects of certain variables, such as light intensity, and calculate seed production. Understanding the lifecycle of invasive organisms has profound impacts on

5 management and eradication strategies, and this study indicates that even indirect prediction methods are more than capable. Haltuch, M. A., P. A. Berkman, D. W. Garton Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Analysis of Ecosystem Invastion: Exotic Mussels in Lake Erie. Limnological Oceanography. 45(8): This is an interesting article addressing the prediction of the distribution, abundance, and ecosystem impacts in secondary bodies of water. Initially, bathymetry data was gathered from NOAA and the Canadian Hydrographic Service, and substrate composition data from the Environment Canada to form the first two layers in their map. The researchers used sidescan sonar surveys across the years of 1994 to 1998 to analyze Dreissena population growth. Using bathymetric and substrate composition data allowed them to determine that Dreissena populations were converting soft sediment to hard sediment, thereby altering ecosystem dynamics. The constant growth of the mussel populations on soft substrates allowed them to use predictive models to infer future populations in other basins based on habitat and physical parameters. This is a great example of how strong mapping can be done utilizing non-aerial remote technology. Padilla, D. K., M. A. Chotkowski, L. A. J. Buchan Predicting the Spread of Zebra Mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) to Inland Waters Using Boater Movement Patterns. Global Ecology and Biogeography Letters. 5(6): This study makes a connection between recreational boating activities and transport of the zebra mussel between bodies of water. The primary mode of data collection was a survey issued to boat owners over twelve 2-week periods throughout the summer of 1989 and the spring of They determined average distance traveled by measuring the straight-line distance from the midpoint of the Great Lake county shoreline to the center of the corresponding water body, of which there were 986 reported by boaters who had also used a Great Lake. While this article does not explicitly state that the study used a GIS, it exhibits maps that are characteristic of GIS to display sites that are used frequently by the corresponding boaters and whether or not they have been invaded. Understanding and analyzing the potential for humans as a vector was a crucial step in the ability of scientists and planners to understand and predict the spatial and temporal variations in invasion patterns. Joshi, C., J. de Leeuw, I.C. van Duren (2004) Remote Sensing and GIS Applications for Mapping and Spatial Modeling of Invasive Species. ISPRS 2004: Proceedings of the XXth ISPRS Congress: Geo-imagery Bridging Continents, July 2004, Istanbul Turkey. Comm. 7: This review was exceptionally helpful in understanding the extent to which the use of RS and GIS technologies has been used in invasive species modeling and management. They outline and discuss what mapping techniques are used, what types of sensors and imaging have been used to map actual distribution, for what species

6 have successful mapping methods been reported, the extent to which scale influences the final map product, and what techniques could be applied in the future. Perhaps the best-developed portion of this review was their section on classifying invasive species. The authors broke species into classes (canopy dominating, mixed canopy dominant, species influencing canopy dominance, and understory species) and discussed thoroughly the survey methods that seemed to be most effective for each as well as relevant studies. This review also discussed the importance of spatial and temporal scale as it was relevant to different types of studies. This was highly relevant giving the rapid changes in technology. Asner, G. P., P. M. Vitousek Remote Analysis of Biological Invasion and Biogeochemical Change. Proceedings of the Natural Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 102(12): To study the effects of two invasive species, Myrica fava and Hedychium gardnerianum, used imaging spectroscopy to changes in the ecosystem due to the biological invasion. They used a NASA Airborne Visible and Infrared Imaging Spectrometer. With this, they measured leaf nitrogen concentration and canopy water content and fractional cover. These measurements were also taken at ground-level using previously reported methods. The results indicate that this new remote analysis method is comparable to ground-based measures, and produced some interesting results. This was the first observation of the impacts of Hedychium, which, as a surprise yielded areas of lower than normal nitrogen concentration and high water content. However in areas where Myrica was prevalent, they found a shift to an environment much higher in nitrogen concentrations. This was an interesting overview of how aerial imaging spectroscopy can provide an in depth view of forest diversity.