Phenology-Based Weed Mapping for Targeted Invasive Grass Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Invasive annual grasses, such as downy brome, are rapidly spreading and disrupting native ecosystems and agriculture, posing challenges in effective management and control without harming native plants or crops, and existing herbicides are inefficient and environmentally costly.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method for mapping invasive grasses using image analysis to identify spectral signatures at different phenological stages, creating a weed distribution map to target herbicide application accurately.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If blanket spraying of herbicides is used to control invasive annual grasses, then the effectiveness of weed control is improved, but the cost and environmental impact increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by transitioning from uniform blanket spraying to site-specific herbicide application. Multispectral imagery identifies precise locations of invasive grass infestations, allowing herbicides to be applied only where needed rather than across entire fields. This localized approach maintains weed control effectiveness while dramatically reducing herbicide waste and environmental impact.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by using multispectral imaging to detect and map invasive grass infestations before herbicide application. The system identifies infested areas in advance, creates detailed distribution maps, and plans targeted treatment routes. This preliminary detection and mapping enables precise, efficient herbicide application only where required, eliminating the need for preventive blanket spraying.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If invasive annual grasses are allowed to spread, then the ecosystem disruption and fire risk increase, but the cost of identification and targeted control increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual or mechanical survey methods with remote sensing technology. Multispectral cameras mounted on aircraft or satellites automatically capture imagery and detect invasive grass signatures across large areas. This substitution of mechanical surveying with optical sensing dramatically reduces the complexity and cost of identification while enabling comprehensive monitoring that effectively prevents ecosystem disruption and fire risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service by using the unique spectral characteristics of invasive grasses to automatically identify and map infestations without requiring manual field verification. The multispectral imagery and image processing algorithms autonomously detect, classify, and map invasive grass distributions, reducing the need for human intervention while providing accurate, large-scale monitoring to prevent ecosystem harm.
3Productivity
If herbicides are applied to control invasive grasses, then the above-ground biomass is reduced, but the seed bank remains intact and regrowth occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by using repeated multispectral imaging to monitor invasive grass infestations over time. The system detects regrowth patterns, tracks seed bank emergence, and adjusts treatment strategies based on observed responses. This continuous monitoring feedback enables timely follow-up applications and adaptive management that addresses both above-ground biomass and emerging seedlings from the seed bank, preventing regrowth and promoting native vegetation recovery.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables precise identification and mapping of invasive grasses, reducing herbicide waste and environmental impact while preserving native ecosystems and increasing agricultural productivity.
Implementation Method 1
analyzing the one or more images and identifying one or more image areas in the one or more images, the image areas showing a spectral signature, the spectral signature being characteristic of the weed at the one or more points in time during the phenological cycle of the weed
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to weed mapping, monitoring and control, in particular to the mapping, monitoring and control of invasive annual grasses. A computer system comprises a receiving unit providing a processing unit with images of a geographical area, the images displaying the geographical area at points in time during a phenological cycle of a weed. At least two images depicting a weed at two different phenological stages may be used because two sequentially collected images are required in order to identify a characteristic temporal change. The processing unit analyzes the images to identify image areas showing a spectral signature characteristic of the weed. The processing unit identifies geographical sub-areas corresponding to the identified image areas and to create a weed distribution map with the identified geographical sub-areas marked as areas affected by the weed. The output unit is configured to output the map.