Mapping the distribution of Crofton weed (Eupatorium adenophorum spreng) in southwest of China using time series remote sensing data

Crofton weed (Eupatorium adenophorum spreng) is an invasive species widely distributed in southwest of China. In this paper, we proposed a method for mapping the distribution of Crofton weed using time series remote sensing data. Because the reflectance signatures of the white flowers of Crofton weed are quite different from the other green components of plants, dissimilar index and flower index can be applied to map the abundance of the weed. In this study, we proposed a Crofton weed index (CWI) to map the intensity and extent of Crofton weed. The MODIS, AVHRR NDVI data and HJ satellite data are employed as the time series remote sensing data. The distribution map developed by this algorithm shows the extent and density of the invasive species in southwest of China. It was also validated with high resolution remote sensing data and ground survey maps. The comparison results show that this method is accurate and particular useful for mapping invasive species.