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A tamarisk habitat suitability map for the continental US

January 1, 2006

This paper presents a national-scale map of habitat suitability for tamarisk (Tamarix spp, salt cedar), a high-priority invasive species. We successfully integrate satellite data and tens of thousands of field sampling points through logistic regression modeling to create a habitat suitability map that is 90% accurate. This interagency effort uses field data collected and coordinated through the US Geological Survey and nationwide environmental data layers derived from NASA's MODerate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS). We demonstrate the use of the map by ranking the 48 continental US states (and the District of Columbia) based on their absolute, as well as proportional, areas of “highly likely” and “moderately likely” habitat for Tamarix. The interagency effort and modeling approach presented here could be used to map other harmful species, in the US and globally.

Publication Year 2006
Title A tamarisk habitat suitability map for the continental US
DOI 10.1890/1540-9295(2006)004[0012:ATHSMF]2.0.CO;2
Authors J.T. Morisette, C. S. Jarnevich, A. Ullah, W. Cai, J.A. Pedelty, J.E. Gentle, T.J. Stohlgren, J.L. Schnase
Publication Type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Series Title Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment
Index ID 1015169
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse
USGS Organization Fort Collins Science Center