Moderate-scale mapping methods of aspen stand types: a case study for Cedar Mountain in southern Utah

Abstract

Quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) are the most widely distributed tree species across North America, but its dominance is declining in many areas of the western United States, with certain areas experiencing rapid mortality events over the past decade. The loss of aspen from western landscapes will continue to profoundly impact biological, commercial, and aesthetic resources associated with aspen. However, many options are available for its restoration. Advances in remote sensing technologies offer cost-effective means to produce spatial and quantitative information on the distribution and severity of declining aspen at many scales. This report describes the development and application of transferable remote sensing and geographic information system methodologies to accurately classify aspen condition within areas of delineated aspen woodland cover. These methodologies were applied on Cedar Mountain in southern Utah within the Colorado Plateau to map three aspen stand conditions (healthy, damaged, and seral) successfully. Using moderate-scale imagery (2008 Landsat TM data), digital elevation model derivatives, high-resolution National Agriculture Imagery Program imagery, and a decision tree modeling approach, a spatially explicit 2008 landscape assessment of Cedar Mountain aspen was produced with an overall accuracy of 81.3% (Kappa [к] or KHAT accuracy measure = 0.69, n = 445). Of the total area mapped as aspen within the 12,139-ha study area, healthy aspen was the most abundant with 49% (5960 ha), followed by damaged with 35% (4210 ha), and seral with an estimated 16% (1968 ha) coverage. Aspen classification maps, derived from remotely sensed digital imagery and ancillary datasets, can offer objective management information to land managers to utilize when planning, implementing, and evaluating aspen restoration activities.Keywords: quaking aspen, sudden aspen decline, Landsat TM, NAIP imagery, succession, GIS You may order additional copies of this publication by sending your mailing information in label form through one of the following media. Please specify the publication title and series number.

A keystone species, European aspen (Populus tremula L.), in boreal forests: Ecological role, knowledge needs and mapping using remote sensing

“…Distinct spectral signatures can identify vegetation stress (Ustin et al, 2009). These observations enable detection of major disturbances on aspen populations caused by insect herbivory, pathogens or drought, among others (Oukrop et al, 2011;Hall et al, 2013). Furthermore, recent research indicates that imaging spectroscopy data are suitable for mapping species genotypes and for identifying areas of high or low genetic diversity (Madritch et al, (2014).…”

“…Satellite images were also utilised for mapping vegetation health. Oukrop et al (2011) studied healthy, damaged and seral stand types of quaking aspen to determine the extent of aspen decline in Utah. The areas with aspen cover were defined from aerial images, and Landsat 5 TM images were utilised to map different aspen classes with an overall accuracy of 81%.…”