Using spatial information technologies to map Chinese tamarisk (Tamarix chinensis) infestations

This paper describes the application of airborne video data with global positioning system and geographic information system technologies for detecting and mapping Chinese tamarisk infestations in the southwestern United States. Study areas were along the Colorado River in southwestern Arizona, the Rio Grande River in extreme west Texas, and the Pecos River in west-central Texas. Chinese tamarisk could be readily distinguished on conventional color video imagery in late November when its foliage turned a yellow-orange to orange-brown color prior to leaf drop. The integration of the global positioning system with the video imagery permitted latitude/longitude coordinates of Chinese tamarisk infestations to be recorded on each image. The global positioning system latitude/longitude coordinates were entered into a geographic information system to map Chinese tamarisk populations along the three river systems.