Monitoring the marine invasive alien species Rugulopteryx okamurae using unmanned aerial vehicles and satellites

Rugulopteryx okamurae is a species of brown macroalgae belonging to the Dictyotaceae family and native north-western Pacific. As an Invasive Alien Species (IAS), it was first detected in Strait Gibraltar 2015. Since then, R. has been spreading rapidly through submerged euphotic zone, colonizing from 0 50 m depth generating substantial economic environmental impacts on Andalusian coasts (southern Spain). More than 40% marine IAS European Union (EU) are macroalgae, representing one main threats biodiversity ecosystem functioning coastal habitats. This study presents monitoring pilot beached fresh down 5 Tarifa (Cadiz, Spain), combining multispectral remote sensing data collected by sensors on-board Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) satellites, how this information can be used support decision-making policy. We UAV flight carried out at Bolonia beach (Tarifa, Spain) 1 st July 2021 Sentinel-2 (S2) Landsat-8 (L8) image acquisitions close drone date. In situ were also measured same date flight, they train supervised classification Super Vector Machine (SVM) method based spectral obtained for each substrate cover. The results show images allow detection , accuracy water, land vegetation, sand depending resolution (8.3 cm/pixel 10 m/pixel S2 30 L8). While imagery precisely delimited area occupied satellite capable detecting its presence, able generate early warnings. demonstrates usefulness techniques incorporated continuous programmes areas. key supporting regional, national policies order adapt strategic management invasive macrophytes.