A Weed Manager’s Guide to Remote Sensing and GIS

Randy Hamilton, Vicky Johnson, Henry Lachowski, Paul Maus

USDA Forest Service Remote Sensing Applications Center

Invasive weeds are a major threat to the health of the nation’s forests and rangelands. The ever-increasing number and spread of weeds require new tools and techniques for effective management. Geospatial technologies such as remote sensing and geographic information systems (GIS) offer new tools to resource managers. However, many resource managers are not familiar with or have unrealistic expectations of these technologies. To help resource managers appropriately integrate geospatial technologies into their weed management programs, the USDA Forest Service Remote Sensing Applications Center developed an educational, web-based Weed Manager’s Guide to Remote Sensing and GIS. The guide addresses the proper application of geospatial technologies in four major aspects of weed management: (1) predicting (modeling) risk of invasion, (2) mapping and monitoring, (3) educating the public, and (4) developing weed management plans. Downloadable documents providing basic guidelines for using remote sensing and geospatial technologies in these four aspects of weed management are provided within each section. Additional resources including tutorials and links to other key sites are also provided. The website, located at http://www.fs.fed.us/eng/rsac/invasivespecies/, was developed in cooperation with the Forest Service National Invasive Species Program.

corresponding author:

Randy Hamilton
USDA Forest Service
Remote Sensing Applications Center
2222 West 2300 South
Salt Lake City, UT  84119
801-975-3845
randyhamilton@fs.fed.us