2010 Town of Oakville Hyperspectral EAB Analysis

INTRODUCTION In 2008, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) confirmed a positive sighting of the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) in the Town of Oakville, Ontario. EAB is a small exotic and invasive beetle indigenous to Asia that was introduced in the Detroit, Michigan area. In July 2010, Oakville Council approved the 2010 Emerald Ash Borer Work Plan that will see the town implement more aggressive preventative measures to manage the spread of this invasive species. One of Oakville's many strategies to prepare for and manage loss to the Town's ash trees from EAB was to employ hyperspectral imaging (HSI) technology to detect the locations of the host species (Fraxinus) Town-wide and attempt to map levels of infestation. AMEC Earth & Environmental, Inc. was contracted to conduct the analysis. This report provides an overview of hyperspectral imaging technology, the custom aerial imagery data collection for the project, the field campaign to collect spectral signatures of ash trees, the analysis of the imagery, the results of the classifications and their accuracy, and the products delivered.