APPLICATION OF REMOTE SENSING FOR MANAGEMENT OF A LARGE HOME RANGE NON-NATIVE MAMMAL

Helen Lin; Endemic Environmental; hlin@endemicenvironmental.net; Daniel Biteman

Recent advancements in remote sensing technology enable us to obtain large-scale environmental data both spatially and temporally. Such landscape-scale data is essential when conducting animal movement studies. However, the application of remote sensing data in species management is a relatively novel concept and can bring great advantages saving costs in laborious surveys. In this study, to identify activity centers of feral pigs for population management in large open areas within and around the East Bay Stewardship Network (EBSN), we extracted remote sensing data, including temperature, precipitation, and NDVI data, from 2019-2023, to derive climate variables and vegetation cover in the area. Subsequently, we conducted a MaxEnt analysis and mapped the probability of species occurrence during wet and dry seasons. The result shows seasonal variation in feral pig distribution and potential strategies land managers can use to control the non-native species population. Remote sensing data for species management can help managers identify target areas across large landscapes and large time frames with standardized data, and help surpass the hurdle of initial laborious and costly surveys.

Poster Session