Quantifying Dieback in a Vulnerable Population of Eucalyptus macrorhyncha Using Remote Sensing

Donna L. Fitzgerald, Stefan Peters, Gregory R. Guerin, Andrew McGrath and Gunnar Keppel ()
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Donna L. Fitzgerald: UniSA STEM, University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes, SA 5095, Australia
Stefan Peters: UniSA STEM, University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes, SA 5095, Australia
Gregory R. Guerin: School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
Andrew McGrath: Airborne Research Australia, Parafield, SA 5106, Australia
Gunnar Keppel: UniSA STEM, University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes, SA 5095, Australia

Land, 2023, vol. 12, issue 7, 1-19

Abstract: A disjunct population of red stringybark ( Eucalyptus macrorhyncha ) trees in South Australia is experiencing increasing amounts of dieback. Because the population is considered vulnerable to extinction, we investigated spatiotemporal vegetation changes, quantified the extent of dieback, and determined how topography influences dieback using aerial and satellite imagery. Classification of vegetation health status using hyperspectral aerial imagery indicated that 37% (accuracy = 0.87 Kappa) of the population was unhealthy and potentially experiencing dieback. When correlating this classification with a digital terrain model (DTM), the aspect and amount of solar radiation had the strongest relationship with the presence of unhealthy vegetation. PlanetScope satellite-derived, and spectral index-based analysis indicated that 7% of the red stringybark population experienced negative vegetation health changes during a five-year period (2017–2022), with positive vegetation health changes (9.5%) noted on pole-facing slopes. Therefore, our integrated remote sensing approach documented the extent and spatiotemporal dynamics of dieback, suggesting it could be applied in other studies. Topographical aspects exposed to high-solar radiation were particularly vulnerable to dieback, and pole-facing aspects demonstrated some recovery between droughts. The influence of topography and maps of vegetation health can be used to guide future management and restoration of the population.

Keywords: eucalyptus; dieback; remote sensing; stringybarks; satellite imagery; aerial imagery; conservation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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