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Using Remote Sensing and GIS to Evaluate Long-Term Changes in Vegetation Cover and Environmental Factors That May Influence the Distribution of Aquatic Plants in Lake Okeechobee, Florida Author: Charles G Hanlon 3301 Gun Club Road Phone: 561-682-6748 Lake Okeechobee's 40,000 hectare marsh supports a multimillion dollar recreational fishery and provides critical habitat for other wildlife. Recently, the ecological integrity of the marsh has been threatened by the spread of invasive exotic plants. Changes in plant community structure and distribution were quantified by comparing current vegetation coverage maps, developed using remote sensing and GIS, to historical maps. The areal coverage of exotic vegetation in the marsh increased by nearly 8,000 hectares during a 26-year period. Analysis using GIS indicates that hydroperiod and water depth are primary factors influencing plant distribution within the marsh. |