Spectral Reflectance of Salt Cedar and Cottonwood along the Powder River, Sheridan, WY

Salt cedar (Tamarix spp.) is a very persistent invasive shrub that dominates many riparian areas throughout the state of Wyoming and in the western U.S. Many ecosystem services and local economies are negatively affected by the presence of Tamarix and its control is essential for restoration. To create an efficient and effective control management plan, presence and density of the Tamarix must first be mapped. Remote sensing provides a viable alternative to spending hours collecting data on the field for mapping large geographic areas infested with Tamarix. However, studies are needed to characterize the spectral reflectance of Tamarix in comparison to native vegetation such as Cottonwood (Populus spp.). This research will report the differences between the spectral reflectance of Tamarix and that of cottonwood, both of which are present in a riparian zone along the Power River in Sheridan County, WY.