According to the Ohio Environmental Council, Amur honeysuckle is Central Ohio’s “least wanted” invasive species, proving to be shade tolerant, as well as heat, drought, and cold resistant, with a long growing season that helps it dominate native plants. In a word, it’s a monoculture-monster.
In the never-ending battle to contain the honeysuckle, UC researchers have deployed a new “ecological restoration” tool: satellite mapping. With the help of a Landsat-8 satellite, they’ve been able to spot the plant from space and pinpoint its location in five urban forests in Greater Cincinnati. The satellite approach, which lead author and UC grad Bridget Taylor says is a good alternative to drones and ground surveys, might also be effective in locating other invasive species.