Stephen Boyte (Former Employee)
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 30
Early Estimates of Exotic Annual Grass (EAG) in the Sagebrush Biome, USA, 2023 Early Estimates of Exotic Annual Grass (EAG) in the Sagebrush Biome, USA, 2023
These datasets provide early estimates of 2023 fractional cover for exotic annual grass (EAG) species and one native perennial grass species on a weekly basis from May to early July. The EAG estimates are developed typically within 7-13 days of the latest satellite observation used for that version. Each weekly release contains four fractional cover maps along with their corresponding...
Predicted exotic annual grass abundance in rangelands of the western United States using various precipitation scenarios for 2022 Predicted exotic annual grass abundance in rangelands of the western United States using various precipitation scenarios for 2022
Invasion of exotic annual grass (EAG), such as cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), red brome (Bromus rubens), and medusahead (Taeniatherum caput-medusae), could have irreversible degradation impact to arid and semiarid rangeland ecosystems in the western United States. The distribution and abundance of these EAG species are highly influenced by weather variables such as temperature and...
Biophysical drivers for predicting the distribution and abundance of invasive yellow sweet clover in the Northern Great Plains Biophysical drivers for predicting the distribution and abundance of invasive yellow sweet clover in the Northern Great Plains
Yellow sweetclover (Melilotus officinalis; YSC), an invasive biennial legume, bloomed throughout the Northern Great Plains (NGP) following greater-than-average precipitation during 2018-2019. YSC can increase nitrogen (N) levels and potentially cause broad changes in the composition of native plant species communities. There is little knowledge of the drivers behind its spatiotemporal...
Using seasonal climate scenarios in the ForageAhead annual forage production model for early drought impact assessment Using seasonal climate scenarios in the ForageAhead annual forage production model for early drought impact assessment
High interannual variability of forage production in semi-arid grasslands leads to uncertainties when livestock producers make decisions such as buying additional feed, relocating animals, or using flexible stocking. Within-season predictions of annual forage production (i.e., yearly production) can provide specific boundaries for producers to make these decisions with more information...
S-NPP 375-m eVIIRS Remote Sensing Phenology Metrics - across the conterminous U.S. (ver. 3.0, August 2025) S-NPP 375-m eVIIRS Remote Sensing Phenology Metrics - across the conterminous U.S. (ver. 3.0, August 2025)
Phenological dynamics of terrestrial ecosystems reflect the response of the Earth's vegetation canopy to changes in climate and hydrology and are thus important to monitor operationally. Researchers at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center have developed methods for documenting the seasonal dynamics of vegetation in an operational...
Exotic annual grass (EAG) phenology estimates for western U.S. rangelands based on 30-m HLS NDVI (ver. 4.0, August 2025) Exotic annual grass (EAG) phenology estimates for western U.S. rangelands based on 30-m HLS NDVI (ver. 4.0, August 2025)
Phenological dynamics reflect the vegetation response to changes in weather, vegetation composition, plant life stages pertinent to both agricultural and fire management and are thus important to monitor operationally. The Exotic Annual Grass (EAG) phenology in the western U.S. rangeland based on 30-m Harmonized Landsat and Sentinel-2 (HLS) Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI)...
Filter Total Items: 24
Tools and technologies for quantifying spread and impacts of invasive species Tools and technologies for quantifying spread and impacts of invasive species
The need for tools and technologies for understanding and quantifying invasive species has never been greater. Rates of infestation vary on the species or organism being examined across the United States, and notable examples can be found. For example, from 2001 to 2003 alone, ash (Fraxinus spp.) mortality progressed at a rate of 12.97 km year −1 (Siegert et al. 2014), and cheatgrass...
Authors
Matt Reeves, Ines Ibanez, Dana Blumenthal, Gang Chen, Qinfeng Guo, Catherine Jarnevich, Jennifer Koch, Frank Sapio, Michael Schwartz, Ross Meentemeyer, Bruce Wylie, Stephen Boyte
Rapid monitoring of the abundance and spread of exotic annual grasses in the western United States using remote sensing and machine learning Rapid monitoring of the abundance and spread of exotic annual grasses in the western United States using remote sensing and machine learning
Exotic annual grasses (EAG) are one of the most damaging agents of change in western North America. Despite known socio-environmental effects of EAG there remains a need to enhance monitoring capabilities for better informing conservation and management practices. Here, we integrate field observations, remote sensing and climate data with machine-learning techniques to estimate and...
Authors
Neal Pastick, Bruce Wylie, Matthew Rigge, Devendra Dahal, Stephen P. Boyte, Matthew Jones, Brady Allred, Sujan Parajuli, Zhuoting Wu
Exploring VIIRS continuity with MODIS in an expedited capability for monitoring drought-related vegetation conditions Exploring VIIRS continuity with MODIS in an expedited capability for monitoring drought-related vegetation conditions
Vegetation has been effectively monitored using remote sensing time-series vegetation index (VI) data for several decades. Drought monitoring has been a common application with algorithms tuned to capturing anomalous temporal and spatial vegetation patterns. Drought stress models, such as the Vegetation Drought Response Index (VegDRI), often use VIs like the Normalized Difference...
Authors
Trenton Benedict, Jesslyn Brown, Stephen P. Boyte, Daniel Howard, Brian Fuchs, Brian Wardlow, Tsegaye Tadesse, Kirk Evenson
Estimating abiotic thresholds for sagebrush condition class in the western United States Estimating abiotic thresholds for sagebrush condition class in the western United States
Sagebrush ecosystems of the western United States can transition from extended periods of relatively stable conditions to rapid ecological change if acute disturbances occur. Areas dominated by native sagebrush can transition from species-rich native systems to altered states where non-native annual grasses dominate, if resistance to annual grasses is low. The non-native annual grasses...
Authors
Stephen P. Boyte, Bruce Wylie, Yingxin Gu, Donald Major
Characterizing land surface phenology and exotic annual grasses in dryland ecosystems using Landsat and Sentinel-2 data in harmony Characterizing land surface phenology and exotic annual grasses in dryland ecosystems using Landsat and Sentinel-2 data in harmony
Invasive annual grasses, such as cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum L.), have proliferated in dryland ecosystems of the western United States, promoting increased fire activity and reduced biodiversity that can be detrimental to socio-environmental systems. Monitoring exotic annual grass cover and dynamics over large areas requires the use of remote sensing that can support early detection and...
Authors
Neal Pastick, Devendra Dahal, Bruce Wylie, Sujan Parajuli, Stephen Boyte, Zhuoting Wu
Validating a time series of annual grass percent cover in the sagebrush ecosystem Validating a time series of annual grass percent cover in the sagebrush ecosystem
We mapped yearly (2000–2016) estimates of annual grass percent cover for much of the sagebrush ecosystem of the western United States using remotely sensed, climate, and geophysical data in regression-tree models. Annual grasses senesce and cure by early summer and then become beds of fine fuel that easily ignite and spread fire through rangeland systems. Our annual maps estimate the...
Authors
Stephen Boyte, Bruce Wylie, Donald Major
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 30
Early Estimates of Exotic Annual Grass (EAG) in the Sagebrush Biome, USA, 2023 Early Estimates of Exotic Annual Grass (EAG) in the Sagebrush Biome, USA, 2023
These datasets provide early estimates of 2023 fractional cover for exotic annual grass (EAG) species and one native perennial grass species on a weekly basis from May to early July. The EAG estimates are developed typically within 7-13 days of the latest satellite observation used for that version. Each weekly release contains four fractional cover maps along with their corresponding...
Predicted exotic annual grass abundance in rangelands of the western United States using various precipitation scenarios for 2022 Predicted exotic annual grass abundance in rangelands of the western United States using various precipitation scenarios for 2022
Invasion of exotic annual grass (EAG), such as cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), red brome (Bromus rubens), and medusahead (Taeniatherum caput-medusae), could have irreversible degradation impact to arid and semiarid rangeland ecosystems in the western United States. The distribution and abundance of these EAG species are highly influenced by weather variables such as temperature and...
Biophysical drivers for predicting the distribution and abundance of invasive yellow sweet clover in the Northern Great Plains Biophysical drivers for predicting the distribution and abundance of invasive yellow sweet clover in the Northern Great Plains
Yellow sweetclover (Melilotus officinalis; YSC), an invasive biennial legume, bloomed throughout the Northern Great Plains (NGP) following greater-than-average precipitation during 2018-2019. YSC can increase nitrogen (N) levels and potentially cause broad changes in the composition of native plant species communities. There is little knowledge of the drivers behind its spatiotemporal...
Using seasonal climate scenarios in the ForageAhead annual forage production model for early drought impact assessment Using seasonal climate scenarios in the ForageAhead annual forage production model for early drought impact assessment
High interannual variability of forage production in semi-arid grasslands leads to uncertainties when livestock producers make decisions such as buying additional feed, relocating animals, or using flexible stocking. Within-season predictions of annual forage production (i.e., yearly production) can provide specific boundaries for producers to make these decisions with more information...
S-NPP 375-m eVIIRS Remote Sensing Phenology Metrics - across the conterminous U.S. (ver. 3.0, August 2025) S-NPP 375-m eVIIRS Remote Sensing Phenology Metrics - across the conterminous U.S. (ver. 3.0, August 2025)
Phenological dynamics of terrestrial ecosystems reflect the response of the Earth's vegetation canopy to changes in climate and hydrology and are thus important to monitor operationally. Researchers at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center have developed methods for documenting the seasonal dynamics of vegetation in an operational...
Exotic annual grass (EAG) phenology estimates for western U.S. rangelands based on 30-m HLS NDVI (ver. 4.0, August 2025) Exotic annual grass (EAG) phenology estimates for western U.S. rangelands based on 30-m HLS NDVI (ver. 4.0, August 2025)
Phenological dynamics reflect the vegetation response to changes in weather, vegetation composition, plant life stages pertinent to both agricultural and fire management and are thus important to monitor operationally. The Exotic Annual Grass (EAG) phenology in the western U.S. rangeland based on 30-m Harmonized Landsat and Sentinel-2 (HLS) Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI)...
Filter Total Items: 24
Tools and technologies for quantifying spread and impacts of invasive species Tools and technologies for quantifying spread and impacts of invasive species
The need for tools and technologies for understanding and quantifying invasive species has never been greater. Rates of infestation vary on the species or organism being examined across the United States, and notable examples can be found. For example, from 2001 to 2003 alone, ash (Fraxinus spp.) mortality progressed at a rate of 12.97 km year −1 (Siegert et al. 2014), and cheatgrass...
Authors
Matt Reeves, Ines Ibanez, Dana Blumenthal, Gang Chen, Qinfeng Guo, Catherine Jarnevich, Jennifer Koch, Frank Sapio, Michael Schwartz, Ross Meentemeyer, Bruce Wylie, Stephen Boyte
Rapid monitoring of the abundance and spread of exotic annual grasses in the western United States using remote sensing and machine learning Rapid monitoring of the abundance and spread of exotic annual grasses in the western United States using remote sensing and machine learning
Exotic annual grasses (EAG) are one of the most damaging agents of change in western North America. Despite known socio-environmental effects of EAG there remains a need to enhance monitoring capabilities for better informing conservation and management practices. Here, we integrate field observations, remote sensing and climate data with machine-learning techniques to estimate and...
Authors
Neal Pastick, Bruce Wylie, Matthew Rigge, Devendra Dahal, Stephen P. Boyte, Matthew Jones, Brady Allred, Sujan Parajuli, Zhuoting Wu
Exploring VIIRS continuity with MODIS in an expedited capability for monitoring drought-related vegetation conditions Exploring VIIRS continuity with MODIS in an expedited capability for monitoring drought-related vegetation conditions
Vegetation has been effectively monitored using remote sensing time-series vegetation index (VI) data for several decades. Drought monitoring has been a common application with algorithms tuned to capturing anomalous temporal and spatial vegetation patterns. Drought stress models, such as the Vegetation Drought Response Index (VegDRI), often use VIs like the Normalized Difference...
Authors
Trenton Benedict, Jesslyn Brown, Stephen P. Boyte, Daniel Howard, Brian Fuchs, Brian Wardlow, Tsegaye Tadesse, Kirk Evenson
Estimating abiotic thresholds for sagebrush condition class in the western United States Estimating abiotic thresholds for sagebrush condition class in the western United States
Sagebrush ecosystems of the western United States can transition from extended periods of relatively stable conditions to rapid ecological change if acute disturbances occur. Areas dominated by native sagebrush can transition from species-rich native systems to altered states where non-native annual grasses dominate, if resistance to annual grasses is low. The non-native annual grasses...
Authors
Stephen P. Boyte, Bruce Wylie, Yingxin Gu, Donald Major
Characterizing land surface phenology and exotic annual grasses in dryland ecosystems using Landsat and Sentinel-2 data in harmony Characterizing land surface phenology and exotic annual grasses in dryland ecosystems using Landsat and Sentinel-2 data in harmony
Invasive annual grasses, such as cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum L.), have proliferated in dryland ecosystems of the western United States, promoting increased fire activity and reduced biodiversity that can be detrimental to socio-environmental systems. Monitoring exotic annual grass cover and dynamics over large areas requires the use of remote sensing that can support early detection and...
Authors
Neal Pastick, Devendra Dahal, Bruce Wylie, Sujan Parajuli, Stephen Boyte, Zhuoting Wu
Validating a time series of annual grass percent cover in the sagebrush ecosystem Validating a time series of annual grass percent cover in the sagebrush ecosystem
We mapped yearly (2000–2016) estimates of annual grass percent cover for much of the sagebrush ecosystem of the western United States using remotely sensed, climate, and geophysical data in regression-tree models. Annual grasses senesce and cure by early summer and then become beds of fine fuel that easily ignite and spread fire through rangeland systems. Our annual maps estimate the...
Authors
Stephen Boyte, Bruce Wylie, Donald Major