The Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture awarded $749,532 under the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) program to Regents of the University of Minnesota for a project ending April 30, 2026. The University will leverage remote sensing and machine learning to track the spread of leafy spurge, an invasive weed species impacting 2 million hectares of rangeland across the Northern Great Plains and causing over $130 million in annual losses. Researchers will use high resolution satellite imagery and deep learning models to detect leafy spurge populations, monitor population dynamics over the past decade, and assess the effects of environmental variation and biocontrol efforts on invasion patterns. This work will enable more cost-effective, rapid tracking of noxious weed spread and impact. Findings aim to further understanding of ecological and management factors controlling large-scale invasion dynamics. The University will utilize extensive occurrence and practice data already collected by government agencies to support rangeland management through near real-time invasion estimates and biocontrol recommendations. Demonstrating remote sensing and deep learning applications in rangeland management may allow for more targeted management of leafy spurge and other invasive weeds.
Mod # | Description | Reason For Modification | Federal Obligation (Click to sort descending) | Date (Click to sort ascending) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Not listed | $749.5k | 4/26/23 |