Invasive Plant Mapping Handbook
Contents
1. This definition is based on the definition of invasive species as written in Executive Order 13112 and clarified in Invasive Species Definition Clarification and Guidance White Paper submitted by the Definitions Subcommittee of the Invasive Species Advisory Committee ISAC and approved by ISAC April 27 2006 Where Do They Come From Species which have become invasive often come from areas which have climates similar to our own Many invasive species which are a problem in the United States originated in South America Asia Europe Australia and Africa How Did They Get Here Some species were introduced accidently in packing material as crop contaminants in shipping containers or from the cargo holds of ships But many invasive plants have been brought here deliberately Only a small portion of non native species are invasive We rely on non native plants for food for their beauty as ornamentals in our gardens for their usefulness in feeding wildlife and enhancing our environment Why Do Plants Become Invasive Just to be clear not all exotics are invasive Exotic or non native species are considered to be invasive only when they cause harm Of our agricultural crops 9896 are not native to the regions where they are grown Predicting which plants will become invasive is difficult Scientists are still trying to discover why a plant can suddenly become an invasive problem after many years The two lists here show that many of the2. heaven leaflets e Position yourself so the sun is over your shoulder to get the best light Front lit image for sharper details e Automatic settings on digital cameras work very well for most situations e Digital cameras usually have a macro setting for close ups Remember the images you submit will be used to validate your report to EDDMapS Good images can make all the difference in your entry being given the highest validation R Wallace Bugwood org C Evans River to River CWMA J Randall TNC J Miller USFS 22 Field Preparation Group Projects During training and for several outings after the initial training we suggest that projects be carried out in groups with designated leaders supervising data collection For small group outings you will need at least one field kit GPS unit digital camera and other resources Only one GPS and camera is needed per group outing One person from each group should be in charge of entering the data into the web based data form after returning from the field The data record should include the names of all participants of the group R Billings TFS Individual Projects Volunteers may choose after training to work individually either at assigned sites or on personal hiking camping birding outings Volunteers choosing this method should still have a companion with them in the field for safety Local Networks Stakeholders can form a network of local part
3. and monitor important natural and managed resources that are at risk from biological invasion d Conduct weekend bio blitzes for new weeds at selected parks forests refuges etc Monitor high hazard sites where new invasive species may first become established e g maritime ports of entry international airports bonded warehouses free trade zones inland intermodal shipping terminals 4 Develop a state Invasive Plant Atlas a Archival of field data records submitted by the EDRN b N Rees USDA ARS Real time Distribution Information on EDRR Target Species Beneficial for i Creating Distribution Maps of EDRR Target Species ii Ecological Niche Modeling Research iii Planning Invasive Plant Control Programs J Miller USFS N oN 5 Rapid Assessment conduct rapid assessments of newly reported species that are not already regulated within a state regulated species generally don t require a new assessment d Identify an appropriate lead agency to address a particular new invasive plant problem OR Recommend the establishment of an invasive plant task force to address a new invasive plant problem that cannot be addressed by a single agency Rapid Response develop a rapid response plan to address specific problems d loc N Loewenstein AU Assist the designated lead agency in addressing a new invasive plant problem OR Establish an invasive plant task for
4. 1 0 5 0 Moderate 5 1 25 High 25 1 100 Habitat O Edge Upland Wetland C Forest Conifer Wetland Marsh O Edge Field forest O Forest Hardwood LI Wetland Swamp O Edge Lake O Forest Mixed L Wetland Bog O Edge Roadside C Dune O Streambank O Open Field O Beach O Yard Garden O Old Field O Park O Ag Field C Rocky Outcrops L wee lot Abundance O Single Plant O Scattered Pianis O Dense Monoculture O Scattered Dense Patches Ownership O Federal Lands O State Lands O Private O Unknown Location Description Comments Voucher specimen made Yes No Herbarium holding specimen 30 References Bargeron C T and K A Rawlins 2009 Module Introduction to GPS The University of Georgia Center For Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health Tifton GA BW 2009 105 p 9 Bargeron C T G K Douce D J Moorhead C W Evans and R C Reardon 2005 Forestry Images Development Methodology and Technology 1995 2005 The University of Georgia Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health Tifton GA Chapter 3 p 28 51 Beck K George Kenneth Zimmerman Jeffrey D Schardt Jeffrey Stone Ronald R Lukens Sarah Reichard John Randall Allegra A Cangelosi Diane Cooper and John Peter Thompson 2008 Invasive Species Defined in a Policy Context Recommendations from the Federal Invasive Species Advisory Committee Invasive Plant Science and Management 1 414 421 Executive Order 13112 Federal R
5. GPS stands for Global Positioning System It is a satellite based navigation and positioning system which works night and day 24 hours a day anywhere in the world Vertical and horizontal imaginary lines form a grid which allows us to find a single point anywhere on the earth K Rawlins UGA Latitude Longitude Latitude is expressed as degrees north or south of the equator Southern Hemisphere is denoted by a negative One degree of latitude covers about 69 miles Latitude lines begin at and are parallel to the equator The equator is at 0 latitude the North Pole is at 90 North latitude and the South Pole is at 90 South latitude Longitude lines are called meridians and are expressed as degrees east or west of the Prime Meridian which is at 0 longitude Western Hemisphere is denoted by a negative sign Longitude lines meet at the poles One half of the world is measured in degrees of east longitude up to 180 and the other half in degrees of west longitude up to 180 A GPS unit can give latitude and longitude in different formats Decimal degrees is the format used in EDDMapsS Here is the same coordinate system expressed in different ways 32 45 12 x 84 35 57 DD MM SS Degrees minutes seconds 32 45 2000 x 84 95 00 DD MM MMM Degrees decimal minutes 32 75333 x 84 59917 DD DDDDD Decimal degrees 16 Datum Use NAD83 North American Datum of 1983 or WGS84 World Geographic Syste
6. characteristics we prize in an ornamental plant are very similar to the characteristics which increase the likelihood of a non native plant becoming an invasive problem Invasive e Habitat generalist e Out competes other plants e Reproduces easily e Abundant seeds e Bird dispersed seeds e Not affected by native pests diseases Ornamental e Hardy easy to grow e Requires little attention care free e Easy to propagate e Abundant flowers K Rawlins UGA e Fruits to attract birds Many invasive plants were initially introduced for landscaping e Disease and pest resistant If a non native plant is used over a long period of time it stands a better chance of naturalizing Extensive use in landscaping also increases the likelihood that a plant will naturalize which is the first step to becoming an invasive problem Many invasives start on disturbed soils and habitat disturbances such as construction grading plowing and mowing which can increase the vulnerability of any habitat to invasive species Areas such as rights of way fencerows old fields ditches and road sides all have a high rate of disturbance C Bargeron UGA Some non native plants were used he re for many years before they became an invasive problem This phenomenon has been termed The Lag Phase This refers to the period of time after a plant has been introduced escapes and naturalizes but before the population reaches the point a
7. cost compared to SLR cameras small size and light weight SLR digital cameras are more expensive and larger but offer the photographer a suite of automatic settings in addition to the manual setting and through lens focusing and framing With SLR cameras interchangeable lenses enhance zoom and macro features Zoom lenses allow the photographer to take close up photographs at a greater distance from the subject This is advantageous when the subject is an animal that might become scared or leave if approached Lenses with adjustable zooms also allow for easy manipulation of the framing of a photograph Wide angle lenses provide a wide field of view and can be very useful for landscape photography Macro lenses allow for close up photography and can be used to capture small subjects or minute details necessary for identification Images should be taken at the largest size and best quality settings available on your camera Send the least edited least compressed file available Note Most modern cell phones feature a camera with sufficient resolu tion for submission to EDDMapsS Flowers and leaves Roots L Mehrhoff UCONN K Rawlins UGA 20 JPEG uses a compression scheme that degrades the image each time it is saved consequently it is important to avoid repeatedly editing and saving the file before submission If editing cropping or enhancing the JPEG photo using image editing software such as Adobe Photoshop is necessary
8. nawma org EDRR FactSheet pdf Westbrooks Randy G Leslie J Mehrhoff and John D Madsen 2008 U S National Early Detection and Rapid Response System for Invasive Plants Recommendations for Developing New Capacity for EDRR at the State and Regional Levels www nawma org EDRR Steps pdf 31 GEORGIA FORESTRY COMMISSION Funding in part for this publication is from a grant from the Georgia Forestry Commission and U S Forest Service as part of the American Recovery amp Reinvestment Act www eddmaps org January 2011
9. occurrence of an invasive species in a region or county lt O 2 amp o wi o 60 pan ca o The following section briefly explains basic techniques and gives tips for taking useful photographs To fully understand your camera s options refer to the user manual C Evans River to River CWMA Glandular notches on tree of heaven leaflet 18 Framing Frame the subject for the intended purpose Panoramic photographs give context to the subject for example showing the extent of an infestation Midrange shots illustrate the presence and effects of specific species and close ups provide details for identification of a species of interest Focus Attention is naturally drawn to the area of the photograph that is in focus For landscape scale photographs most of the scene should be in focus For subjects closer in the photographer should be sure the most important part of the photograph is in focus For plants you can focus on the entire plant or simply the area of interest Many digital cameras do this automatically for you Light The type direction and intensity of the light can affect the color and texture of an image Hard light on a sunny day or from a direct flash emphasizes shadows highlights and textures Soft light in early morning late evening or cloudy days minimizes shadows and highlights and brings out color and detail The direction of a light source will also influence the photograph Front ligh
10. perform all operations in one editing session and save the edited image at the highest quality least compressed possible Retain a copy of the original file from the digital camera in case the editing process has to be repeated Note EDDMapS requires images to be uploaded as JPEGs The EDDMapS web form allows as many as five images to be uploaded with each record entered Examples of possible subjects for plants include the following e Site view showing extent of infestation one invasive plant or many e Flower shape size color and arrangement e Leaf shape and arrangement opposite alternate or whorled attachment e Fruit shape size color and arrangement e Bark trunk or stem e Roots rhizomes or stolons Forestiera pubescens K Rawlins UGA K Rawlins UGA As you can see there are more than five possible characteristics to choose from so pick the five which are most helpful in identifying the plant you are working with Invasive privets Ligustrum spp have many characteristics in common with native swamp privet Forestiera spp however the position of the flower or fruit can help easily distinguish between them 21 Remember e To reduce shake use a tripod when possible e Take multiple photographs of the same subject and choose the best for uploading with your data e Look for the unique features of an invasive species such as pointed rhizomes on cogongrass or glandular notches at the base of tree of
11. photographs to identify the species adds validity to the data collected and entered into EDDMapS This module addresses general photography topics including types of photographs tips for taking quality photographs and an introduction to digital photography Information on uploading images is addressed in the How To EDDMapS section Identification Nearly all field guides and identification keys rely on illustrations because seeing a picture or drawing of an organism greatly aids in the correct identification These pictures may be l l f the whole organism or simply a specific WI a o A scale i ui 8 p y a sp to the picture it becomes characteristic or feature important for clear just how large distinguishing that organism these plants are For instance a picture of an exotic plant infesting a natural area can help demonstrate the invasive potential of that plant This type of picture can lend credibility to statements made by the photographer or user of the image Familiarize yourself with the characteristics commonly needed for identification like the glandular notches of tree of heaven and take several pictures of the subject s diagnostic characteristics to ensure that identification is possible Good photographs can also add validity to documentation of certain events such as the first occurrence of a species in a county Herbarium records have the highest validity so consider collecting an herbarium specimen for the first reported
12. Ciesla FHMI Who collected the data From the EDDMapS website http www eddmaps org 1 Select Report Sightings from the menu bar 2 Log in under Please Log In You are now ready to begin the reporting procedure 3 Select the state for which you are reporting an infestation On the reporting form you will see a number of fields Note If you place your cursor over a at the end of each field on the form you will get a definition or more information about filling out that field You might want to take a few minutes the first time you reach this page to explore the information available at each This information answers the questions most often asked about filling out the form Most of the fields have drop down menus with a list of possible choices for that field L Mehrhoff UCONN Description of invasive species infestation 1 Pest Species Click on the arrow on the right you will find a drop down menu to see the list of invasive species If the species you have found is not listed choose Other Species and add the name of the pest in the Comment text box below If you are not sure what the species is choose Unknown Note Species are listed in alphabetical order by scientific name although the common name is also listed You can click on the Species Information tab and then on Subject Name and the list will then alphabetize by common name J DiTomaso UC Davis J Miller USFS 10 2 Infested A
13. Invasive Plant Mapping Early Detection amp Distribution Mapping System Handbook THE UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA CENTER FOR INVASIVE SPECIES ECOSYSTEM HEALTH WARNELL SCHOOL OF COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURAL FORESTRY AND NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES Front Cover GPS device mapping Chinese tallowtree Photo Credit David J Moorhead University of Georgia Bugwood org Citation Rawlins K A J E Griffin D J Moorhead C T Bargeron and C W Evans 2011 EDDMapsS Invasive Plant Mapping Handbook The University of Georgia Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health Tifton GA BW 2011 02 32 p All images can be found in the Bugwood Image Database System at images bugwood org EDDMapS EDDMapsS the Early Detection amp Distribution Mapping System is an innovative web based mapping tool which can be used to document the distribution of invasive species across the United States and help identify leading edges of new infestations Volunteers learn how to collect data on invasive species and enter the data into EDDMapS through a web based data entry form The intent of this handbook is to empower the public to become actively involved in effectively slowing the spread of harmful invasive species and to reduce their environmental and economic damage EDDMapS was designed as a tool for State Invasive Species Councils Exotic Pest Plant Councils EPPC Cooperative Weed Management Areas CWMA and Cooperative In
14. ce to address the problem as appropriate The Carolinas Beach Vitex is a good example of a successful interagency partnership Take the message to others especially young people Volunteer to talk about invasive species and what each of us can do to help at a al school or scout group Vo LL eo 2 Q vu K Rawlins UGA J Randall TNC 21 Glossary Canopy Closure Estimate of what percent of the ground is covered by the foliage of an invasive species of interest Collection Date The date the weed infestation was observed in the field It does not refer to the date information was entered into the computer Datum A model of the earth s shape Geodetic datums define the size and shape of the earth and the origin and orientation of the coordinate system used to map the earth EDRR Early Detection amp Rapid Response refers to programs whose goal is to locate and manage invasive pests before they infest an area so large that eradication or control becomes extremely difficult and expensive if not impossible Addressing these problems early greatly decreases the damage caused by these infestations GIS Geographic Information System A computerized system for the collection storage management retrieval changing modeling analysis and display of spatial data used to create a representation of the real world GPS Global Positioning System A global navigation system based on a system of high orb
15. egister Vol 64 No 25 Monday February 8 1999 Presidential Documents Gardensmart Plantwise Guidelines The LadyBird Johnson Wildflower Center University of Texas at Austin www beplantwise org Hobbs R J and S E Humphries 1995 An integrated approach to the ecology and management of plant invasions Conservation Biology 4 761 770 Invaders of Texas a Citizen Science Program to Detect and Report Invasive Species Citizen Scientist Handbook 2009 Chapter 3 p 9 12 BW 2009 104 Invasive Species Advisory Committee 2006 Invasive Species Definition Clarification and Guidance White Paper http www invasivespecies gov global ISAC ISAC_documents ISAC 20Definitions 20White 20Paper 20 20 20FINAL 20VERSION pdf North American Invasive Plant Mapping Standards 2002 www nawma org Mappingpg html Harmful non indigenous species in the United States 1993 http govinfo library unt edu ota Ota 1 DATA 1993 9325 PDF Pimentel D Zuniga R and D Morrison 2005 Update on the environmental and economic cost associated with alien invasive species in the United States Ecological Economics 52 pp 273 288 Rawlins K A 2009 Module Herbarium Specimens The Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health Tifton GA BW 2009 104 p 7 Westbrooks Randy G Leslie J Mehrhoff and John D Madsen 2008 Invasive Plants Coming to America Overview of the U S National Early Detection and Rapid Response System for Invasive Plants www
16. ence locations locations Ti me Ho Phases of Invasive Species Invasion and Control Why Do We Care The biological pollution caused by invasive species is extremely challenging because even if we never import another non native species the ones already invading our native ecosystems will continue to grow and spread We must actively seek solutions to control or eradicate the species which are problems already or have the potential to become problems C Bargeron UGA DGASIOL04 6 Why is it Important to Report an Invasive Plant Sighting A key component in an invasive species Early Detection amp Rapid Response EDRR program is the development of species distribution maps Entering and tracking locations of invasives within and between states can identify the leading edge of invasive plants heading our way This gives each of us a chance to implement Early Detection amp Rapid Response programs in our area These EDRR programs allow us to stop or minimize an invasive plant before it becomes a kudzu kind of problem and allows land managers and agencies to prioritize control needs and strategies while populations are still small The Early Detection amp Distribution Mapping System or EDDMapsS is a web based mapping system for invasive species distribution that is fast and easy to use and doesn t require GIS experience or software Using standardized on line data forms you can add specific information about the infestati
17. gular distance distance measured in degrees north or south of the equator Latitude is O degrees at the equator 90 degrees at the north pole and 90 degrees at the south pole Longitude The angular distance distance measured in degrees east or west of the prime meridian Longitude is 00 at the prime meridian and is measured 180 going east and 180 going west Map A general representation of the real world Meridian A meridian is one half of a great circle on the globe connecting all points of equal longitude all meridians connect at the North and South poles The Prime meridian is the reference meridian for latitude and longitude Prime Meridian great circle passing through the north and south pole and through Greenwich England Its longitude is O degrees Topographic Map A map that displays both the horizontal and vertical positions of the features represented It uses contours or other symbols to represent mountains valleys and plains 29 This EDDMapS data collection form contains all the information needed to fill out the online form Find forms to download and print at www eddmaps org tools EDD IZE 1 ww Data Collection Form Early Deiccion amp Disribuion Mapping System ww w eddmaps orz Species Date State County Lat Long Infested Area Acres Hectares Sq Feet Sq Meters Gross Area Acres Hectares Sq Feet Sq Meters Canopy Closure percent covered by invasive plant Trace less than 1 Low
18. gwood org C Bargeron UGA 14 Herbarium Specimen The next section of the form allows you to provide information when you collect an herbarium specimen of an invasive plant 1 Voucher Specimen Made If a voucher specimen was created from this sighting click Yes The default setting is No 2 Herbarium holding specimen Enter the name of the herbarium where the specimen is housed Note See www gainvasives org handbook Herbaria pdf for information on how to collect prepare and submit an herbarium specimen Herbarium specimens are not required for submitting data to EDDMapsS They add validity to the data submitted The last step is to click Report The data is now entered into EDDMapS and your images are uploaded Congratulations You have successfully completed an entry into EDDMapsS Be sure to go to your personal EDDMapS page This is where you can keep track of Your Stats view revisit or edit the data you have entered view or edit your profile as well as set up and manage alerts for invasive species The Tools and Training page has an excel worksheet for downloading batch data into EDDMapS The instruction sheet for the template is located here as well The Tools and Training page is also where you can download and print the forms for collecting data in the field It is avail able as a pdf or word document so that you can edit it as needed for your data collection Collecting the data on Invasive Species GPS
19. his text box to add any information that would aid in relocating the infestation or to clarify any other entry 6 Comments Add any additional comments related to the infestation 7 Identified by Enter the name of the expert identifying the plant if someone else provided the identification 13 Images of the Invasive Species The next section of the online form allows you to upload images with your report Good images are important and allow an expert to validate your entry by making a positive identification of genus and species 1 Image Simply click Browse and navigate to the picture on your com puter Click Open and the image location will be entered for you You can upload up to five images 2 Caption Add a caption to describe each image Provide as much detail as possible Include the photographer s name if someone else took the picture Note Image recommendations include leaf shape and arrangement flowers fruit roots and unique features like thorns Whole plant images showing the habit of the species are also appropriate when included with close up images Use a tripod when needed to reduce the motion of the camera Take photos with the sun behind you Leaf shape and arrangement can be seen in this image This is a good example showing the flower and leaf shape in one image K Rawlins UGA This image helps show the extent of this infestation of Hedera helix Ne E E R Wallace Bu
20. ibes the habitat within which the invasive species occurs If you do not see the appropriate habitat listed choose Other and add any clarification needed in the Comment text box 5 Canopy Closure Canopy closure is a way to estimate the amount or severity of an invasive plant infestation Area tells you the extent of the population E i Xx MR across the landscape Canopy closure tells T i jit em how that weed dominates the vegetation es T within that area The greater the canopy MAENMEE E cover the more of the invasive plants there are Al 5 6 Abundance Density Choose the most appropriate answer from the dropdown menu Single Plant Scattered Plants Scattered Dense Patches Dense Monoculture D Stephens Bugwood org 7 Patch Type A single plant or very small group is a point an infestation along a fence line river bank or road is a linear patch a polygon is a shape with three or more sides so it covers any other type of patch 8 Plant Description Check each description which applies at the time you gather the data When you collected the data 1 Observation Date Enter the date you observed the pest species in the format mm dd yyyy Where you collected the data 1 County Choose the county where the invasive species was observed from the drop down menu 2 Latitude Longitude Enter the Latitude and Longitude coordinates Remember to put the negative sign in front of the Longitude coordi
21. is important that we respect the rights of private landowners and only collect data on their land with their specific permission Keep in mind that public rights of way like roads are not considered private land Many of your surveys will be along rights of way 60 WI o 5 o o z 6p 2 aa n o AS E ac 24 Field Safety Due to the field oriented nature of the data collection your work will present you with the inherent physical risks posed by walking in a natural environment while getting to field sites and collecting data We recommend you follow these suggested safety precautions e Avoid walking through areas where you cannot see your feet Thick vegetation may hide venomous animals or uneven terrain from view Always be aware of your surroundings e f searching for invasive species patches from a vehicle always go in teams Vehicle drivers should pay attention to the road Passengers can look for target species e When surveying on roadsides pull vehicles well off the road taking care to park on a firm surface Be aware of passing traffic and stay clear of traffic lanes while collecting data e Bring a cell phone but be aware that many remote areas are out of service range and carry a topographic map or trails map of the area in which you are hiking e Always hike with at least one partner and inform someone at home a neighbor or friend of where you are going and when you plan to return e Bring sufficient wate
22. iting satellites The GPS receiver uses at least 4 satellites to compute position Gross Area This field is intended to show general location and population information Like Infested Area it is the area of land occupied by an invasive plant species Unlike Infested Area the area is defined by drawing a line around the general perimeter of the infestation not the canopy cover of the plants The gross area may contain significant parcels of land that are not occupied by invasive plants Gross area is used in describing large infestations When a value is entered for gross area the assumption is that the area within the perimeter of the invasive plants population area perimeter is an estimate or the product of calculating the area within a described perimeter It is not a measured value If a value for Gross Area is entered a value for Infested Area must still be entered The value for Infested Area is derived from estimating the actual or percentage of land occupied by invasive plants 28 Infested Areas Area of land containing one or more invasive plant species An infested area of land is defined by drawing a line around the actual perimeter of the infestation as defined by the canopy cover of the plants excluding areas not infested Areas containing only occasional invasive plants per acre do not equal one acre infested Generally the smallest area of infestation mapped will be 1 10th 10 of an acre or 0 04 hectares Latitude The an
23. m which are ground based mapping systems that match coordinates and helps ensure accuracy since the earth is not a perfectly shaped ellipsoid How does GPS work GPS measures the time difference between signals sent from a satellite with a known position to a ground receiver Four such signals will very accurately determine the position of the receiver Twenty four satellites each circling the earth twice every day with three more extras constitute the heart of the system Setting Up Your Receiver You will need to set up your receiver to display geographic coordinates in decimal degrees GPS receiver menus often have this setting in the Units tab Check the manual of the model you choose for specific instructions GPS receivers generally now have 12 or more channels which indicate how many satellites can be monitored at one time P Bolstad UMN Choosing a GPS Receiver Many different types of GPS devices are available today A basic handheld unit is all that is needed to collect data for EDDMapsS If you are doing a lot of field work be sure the unit you choose is waterproof Smartphone applications with GPS are available as well GPS units are available from a wide variety of local and online sources Choose the GPS unit that best fits your particular needs and budget K Rawlins UGA R Anderson USFS 17 Digital Imaging A key component of EDDMapsS is providing images in digital format Being able to use
24. nate to place your entry in the Western hemisphere 12 Note You can find the coordinates using a GPS unit at the site when you collect the data Make sure you set your GPS unit to NAD83 or WGS84 and to decimal degrees You can select a location using the mapping tools on the form Select Choose Location from Location Tools A Google map will appear Choose the normal map view a satellite image or a hybrid of the two Click on the map in the general area of the infestation and you will see a pinpoint at that spot Prem rera bcd ape pom Tenet ge tnra a Ferrin rreren Papel SERT Increase the magnification of the point by clicking the plus 4 sign on the upper left hand corner of en AX A the map until you have zeroed in r xem nne HANNA on the site where the infestation was found ee Fus You can adjust the location of the pinpoint by clicking on the appropriate spot on the map Each time you click a new pinpoint will appear When the pinpoint is in the correct spot click on Update Report Form You will see the correct latitude and longitude entered for you 3 Site Name If desired a descriptive name can be entered for the site for example Stone Mountain Park North Entrance 4 Ownership From the drop down menu select the ownership type for the property on which the invasive plant was found Note Remember you need permission from landowners to be on private property 5 Location Description Use t
25. ners for invasive species prevention monitoring control and eradication Monitoring sites may be chosen based on recommendations and requests from these partners In some cases an organization may request help with early detection in previously unmonitored areas or in areas which have already been treated to determine eradication success The goal should be to prioritize target areas that are most in need of monitoring It is important to be aware of the rules regarding public vs private property and various agency requirements for data collection o O N D v x o o c oR p o zu c E 23 Public and Private Land Issues The goal of the EDDMapsS is to have many eyes detecting and reporting invaders in as many different places as possible However we have to be mindful of both public land rules and regulations and the rights of private landowners Public Land Some agencies have very strict rules concerning collection of data and specimens on public property For example the National Park Service requires researchers to obtain permits for these kinds of activities When in doubt about the public ownership of a property you plan to survey or the rules of collecting data on public lands contact the agency responsible for the management of that property We think you will find that most if not all public land managers will be supportive of efforts to detect invasive species on publicly held lands Private Land It
26. on and images to the EDDMapS database This data base aggregates data from other mapping projects and cooperators to display invasive species distribution at county state and national level scales Gathering the information is as simple as taking pictures of the invasive plant and noting the location Location information can be determined by taking the GPS coordinates on site or by using the EDDMapS on line map functions to locate the point of the infestation eot bum UNDA PLANTS Semisok ENI Alaris aliama T SES Swingle Pads Firm isi Distribution Mage State County Southeast EDDMapS Step By Step Instructions for Reporting an Invasive Plant Sighting The basic information required Who collected the data Description of invasive species infestation When and Where you collected the data and Images of the invasive species First time only Register as an EDDMapS user 1 Go to the EDDMapS website http www eddmaps org Select Report Sightings from the menu bar Click the Register Now button Fill out the form with your name email address etc Click the Submit button Your information can be easily changed or updated any time from your personal EDDMapsS page UB W NY Once you have registered for EDDMapsS you will simply sign in to report an infestation S Dewey USU C Evans River to River CWMA D Moorhead UGA S Hight USDA ARS C Herms OSU C Bryson USDA ARS W
27. r and sun protection e Wear appropriate clothing and footwear e f you have known allergies or other medical conditions that might require you to take medications in the field then bring your medications with you e Check the weather before you head to the field site It is dangerous to work in adverse weather conditions such as thunder and lightning storms or storms which may produce flash floods A well equipped field kit should include the following e Backpack e Camera e Camera memory card e Extra batteries e GPS Unit e Clipboard e Blank data sheets e Maps e Seed removal brush e EDDMapS handbook e First Aid kit e Pencils sharpie pens e Species ID cards 25 Developing Invasive Species Programs 1 Establish a state EDRR coordinating committee a b C Develop a committee work plan Identify committee members develop an EDRR target list Develop a clear communications structure with protocols for reporting id and vouchering data archival rapid assessments and rapid response initiatives Develop and train a state Early Detection and Reporting Network EDRN d Agency field personnel Department of Natural Resource biologists Nature Conservancy land stewards county extension agents county weed supervisors Department of Ag inspectors etc EDRN volunteers Native Plant Society members friends groups civic club members master gardeners fishermen scouts 4 H FFA etc Identify survey
28. rea Area of land containing one invasive species An infested area of land is defined by drawing a line around the actual perimeter of the infestation as defined by the canopy cover of the invasive plants excluding areas not infested This can be done visually Areas containing only occasional invasive plants per acre do not equal one acre infested It is highly recommended that only a single invasive plant species be entered for each infested area Choose the unit area from the drop down menu choices are acres hectares square feet or square meters 3 Gross Area This field is intended to show general location and popu lation information Like Infested Area it is the area of land occupied by an invasive species Unlike Infested Area the area is defined by drawing a line around the general perimeter of the infestation not the canopy cover of the plants The Gross Area may contain significant parcels of land that are not occupied by invasive plants Again choose the unit area from the drop down menu Note The definitions for Infested and Gross Area are taken from the North American Weed Management Association guidelines in North American Invasive Plant Mapping Standards In this example of a field infested with Cogongrass the Gross Area is the whole field The cogongrass in the example is outlined and would be considered the Infested Area F Price FNAI 4 Habitat From the drop down menu choose the description that best descr
29. t the light source is in front of the subject highlights colors while eliminating shadows and textures Backlight creates silhouettes or illuminates translucent subjects Sidelight T highlights both texture and color of a subject Back light W V Evans Bugwood org Note Example images are of a native species Monotropa uniflora Indianpipe Background Backgrounds which contrast to the main colors of the subject help make the subject stand out in the photograph while backgrounds similar to the main colors of the subject make the subject blend in more A busy background can be distracting and make viewing the subject difficult Try changing the background by changing the angle of the camera or by placing something behind the subject It can be as simple as a white or black sheet of paper behind a leaf to help it stand out more clearly 19 Digital Cameras Digital cameras are recommended for collecting data for EDDMapsS Because of the large storage capacity of digital cameras you can take several pictures of each subject and simply choose the best images to upload with your data Digital cameras also allow you to easily upload images from your computer directly to EDDMapsS There are two basic types of digital cameras point amp shoot and single lens reflex SLR Point amp shoot digital cameras are essentially automatic with limited ability to adjust settings The advantages of point amp shoot cameras are their lower
30. t which it begins to increase rapidly It may take decades before a plant becomes an invasive problem This is one reason it is important to track populations of non native plants which have escaped and naturalized even 450 DO 1 z Mo I Fir B aso iuo 50 if Spread of Chinese Privet in the South 1880 1880 1500 1520 1940 1560 1980 2000 though they may not actually be invasive at Year this time Tracking non native plant populations is especially important for species which have been shown to be an invasive problem in other regions states or countries The graph shown above represents the lag phase of Chinese privet in the South Control measures would have been more effective and much less costly had they been started in 1960 as the privet began its rapid spread Early Detection amp Rapid Response programs attempt to identify problem species in the early stages of infestation so that control measures can be taken before their populations become so large that control is difficult or impossible D Moorhead UGA Based on data from the USDA PLANTS database Active Proactive Eradication Reactive Action should begin here requires Manage and control Eradication feasible intense effort local infestations Public awareness typically begins Abundance gt Control Costs gt Introduction Early recognition First Scattered Numerous At or near biological potential occurr
31. vasive Species Management Areas CISMA to develop more complete local state and regional level distribution data of invasive species Identification of leading edge ranges of new invasive threats allows implementation of EDRR Early Detection amp Rapid Response programs Invasive plant lists and management priorities can be updated regularly as new data are recorded Your participation in this initiative will contribute not only to state mapping efforts but also to national efforts to map the distribution and spread of invasive species If you are new to plant identification take heart It should be easy to familiarize yourself with the invasive plants in your area Many volunteer groups have a Top Ten Most Wanted or a Dirty Dozen list of invasive plants on which they focus data collection and reporting Check with the Exotic Pest Plant Council or Invasive Species Council in your area for trainings on plant identification Information on invasive plants is avail able at the Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States It can be found at www invasiveplantatlas org S Dewey USU N Loewenstein AU What is an Invasive Species Any species that is non native to the ecosystem under consideration and whose introduction causes or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health These non native species aggres sively compete with and displace the associated flora and fauna communities K Rawlins UGA
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