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Mesquite infestation at Mardie
Station, Pilbara region
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The management of mesquite will be greatly enhanced if we
can predict its spread and impact at the landscape scale under
a range of land use and management scenarios. Considerable
research is required to get this point. The infestation in
the Pilbara region of Western Australia offers considerable
opportunities in this regard. The initial infestation began
in the 1930s and rapidly spread. Considerable remote images
are available to help document the spread through the landscape,
including aerial photographs at ca decade intervals since
the 1940's, together with a wide library of diverse satellite
images since the 1970's and a detailed map of current distribution.
In addition, results from ecological research since 1998 will
provide also help in developing spread and impact models.
CSIRO, in collaboration with Curtin University, DAWA and
the PMMC, is beginning to use this system to address a range
of spatial questions. Ongoing work includes:
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compiling a spatial database of historical images and
environmental data
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mapping the current mesquite infestation in a quantitative,
repeatable fashion using aerial surveys
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testing new generation remote sensing and analytical
tools to determine whether they can be used to accurately
map mesquite
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correlating current mesquite distribution with environmental
data to develop a suitability index for mesquite within
the Pilbara
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use satellite images to describe rare, large-scale flood
events, and subsequently to explore their potential importance
for mesquite spread and establishment.
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Effects of Cyclone Monty at Mardie Station
Photo: Richard Climas
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