Satellite Spies on Tree-Eating Bugs; Monitoring Urged
Monday, March 9, 2009 - 22:35
in Earth & Climate
More than 150 years after tamarisk trees started taking over riverbanks throughout the U.S. Southwest, saltcedar leaf beetles were unleashed to defoliate the invader. Now, University of Utah scientists say their new study shows it is feasible to use satellite data to monitor the extent of the beetle's attack on tamarisk, and whether use of the beetles may backfire with unintended environmental consequences.