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Mapping Arundo donax (Arundo Cane) With Multispectral Imagery Before, During, and After Herbicide Treatment Along the Rio Grande in Webb County, Texas, 2020–21

Scientific Investigations Map 3512
Water Resources Research Act Program
Prepared in cooperation with the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board and the Webb Soil and Water Conservation District
By:
https://doi.org/10.3133/sim3512

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Abstract

Arundo donax, commonly called Arundo cane, giant reed, or Carrizo cane, is an invasive bamboo-like perennial grass common in riparian areas throughout the southwestern United States. In Texas, not only does it negatively affect riparian ecosystems, but it has also become a problem for border security because it reduces visibility along the Rio Grande. To address these problems, in 2015 the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board was authorized by the Texas State Legislature to develop a program to eradicate Arundo cane along the Rio Grande. In 2020, the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board applied imazapyr and glyphosate herbicides along a 19.3-kilometer reach of the Rio Grande, northwest of Laredo, Texas. The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board and the Webb Soil and Water Conservation District, used WorldView-3 Standard high-resolution satellite imagery to map Arundo cane extent along the reach before, during, and after the herbicide-treatment period on June 30, 2020, September 26, 2020, and May 7, 2021, respectively. A maximum likelihood supervised classification analysis was computed on the images to map the spatial extent and estimate the area covered by Arundo cane. The estimated area covered by Arundo cane in the before classification was 1,282,000 square meters, in the during classification was 1,064,000 square meters, and in the after classification was 1,108,000 square meters. The qualitative comparison of the three images shows that there was an overall decrease in vegetation classified as Arundo cane throughout the study area.

Suggested Citation

Villa, J., 2024, Mapping Arundo donax (Arundo cane) with multispectral imagery before, during, and after herbicide treatment along the Rio Grande in Webb County, Texas, 2020–21: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Map 3512, 1 sheet, includes 7-p. pamphlet, https://doi.org/10.3133/sim3512.

ISSN: 2329-132X (online)

Study Area

Table of Contents

  • Acknowledgments
  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Purpose and Scope
  • Methods
  • Arundo Cane Multispectral Imagery Classification Accuracy and Limitations
  • Mapping Arundo Cane Multispectral Imagery Focus Area Results Before, During, and After Herbicide Treatment
  • Summary
  • References Cited
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Mapping Arundo donax (Arundo cane) with multispectral imagery before, during, and after herbicide treatment along the Rio Grande in Webb County, Texas, 2020–21
Series title Scientific Investigations Map
Series number 3512
DOI 10.3133/sim3512
Year Published 2024
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center
Description Report: viii, 7 p.; 1 Sheet: 32.00 × 34.00 inches; Data Release
Country United States
State Texas
County Webb County
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details