Integrated Spatial Models of Non Native Plant Invasion, Fire Risk, and Wildlife Habitat to Support Conservation of Military and Adjacent Lands in the Arid Southwest
Abstract
This research sought to integrate empirically based models of non-native plant invasion, fire, and wildlife habitat in a spatially explicit decision-support package that informs sustainable resource management and recovery of native habitats and species in the face of ongoing climate change. We modeled distribution, biomass, invasion risk, and fire risk associated with five nonnative invasive plant species on two military installations, two refuges, and one National Monument in the Sonoran Desert of Arizona. Research involved extensive field sampling efforts to train and test regional- and landscape-scale models of nonnative invasive plant distribution and biomass. Species-specific models incorporated novel remote sensing techniques that identified targets based on both phenological and spectral differences using satellite platforms of differing spatial, temporal, and spectral resolutions. During this project, detections of Sahara mustard and Schismus spp. were relatively common across the study area, whereas African buffell grass, arugula, and red brome were relatively uncommon. Results confirmed that the advanced remote sensing and modeling techniques enabled identification of NIS habitat. Our assessment of landscape and regional scale ecological risk in a spatial management framework puts DoD in a powerful position to integrate environmental objectives with training needs and explore feasible management responses to global change.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 2015
- Accession Number
- AD1030964
Entities
People
- Bethany A. Bradley
- Brett G. Dickson
- Steven E. Sesnie
- Thomas D. Sisk
Organizations
- Northern Arizona University