Published on Jan. 20, 2023

Invasive species pose a unique threat to native species and habitat through direct and indirect competition of resources. Management of invasive species depends on precise identification of their current range and knowledge of how they spread. This project will utilize Plantescope Satellite Imagery to identify the presence of Callery Pear, an invasive ornamental tree species in Missouri. The unique phenology of the Callery Pear should allow for precise identification through Random Forest classification of the imagery. After identification, a logistic model will be built to predict the presence or absence of Callery Pear in the landscape based on a variety of geographical and sociological variables. The model may then be adjusted to mimic the outcomes of targeted management scenarios.