USING SATELLITE DATA TO MAP FALSE BROOMWEED (ERICAMERIA-AUSTROTEXANA)INFESTATIONS ON SOUTH TEXAS RANGELANDS

False broomweed is a troublesome weed on south Texas rangelands. The p lant suppresses the growth of desirable herbaceous plant species and i s unpalatable to livestock and wildlife. The objectives of this study were to evaluate multispectral satellite data for automated detection, classification, and mapping of false broomweed infestations. Determin ing the optimum phenological conditions for false broomweed detection was a major goal. Results indicate that satellite data can be used to detect major stands of this shrub and map the relative extent of infes ted areas. The best classification was obtained when the foliage of th e shrub was fully developed and during periods of low herbaceous bioma ss production. Limited ground or aerial surveying will be needed to pr oduce more exact estimates of the extent of false broomweed stands; ho wever, these efforts can be focused on areas identified by satellite c lassification.