Use of geographic information systems and satellite data for assessing climatic risk of establishment of plant pathogens

Abstract

Geographic information systems (GIS) have been used for geospatial data management and analysis, map production and spatial modelling. They also have the potential to incorporate climate and satellite data that could provide a spatial perspective on risk of establishment of plant pathogens. In the present case study, the climatic suitability for establishment of dwarf bunt, a disease that can cause market access restrictions, on wheat or other grass hosts in New Zealand was analysed using a GIS approach. Establishment risk for dwarf bunt in New Zealand was found to be very low. GIS was found to be a more versatile tool for modelling potential geographic distribution of organisms than conventional climate matching tools, such as CLIMEX.