EDDMapS: Invasive Species Mapping Made Easy! Karan Rawlins, University of Georgia Trish Gramajo-St. John, The Nature Conservancy Andrea Mitchell, The Nature Conservancy

Part I EDDMapS overview EDDMapS overview Goals for CISMAs Goals for CISMAs Entering Data Entering Data

EDDMapS is a ToolEDDMapS is a Tool IPAM is a ProjectIPAM is a Project FNAI is a ProgramFNAI is a Program CISEH is a ProgramCISEH is a Program

EDDMapS is a Tool Early Detection & Distribution Mapping System created by CISEH Early Detection & Distribution Mapping System created by CISEH Chosen by FISP for CISMAs Chosen by FISP for CISMAs Chosen by Florida Fish & Wildlife for Invasive animals data Chosen by Florida Fish & Wildlife for Invasive animals data Easy to use Easy to use Easy to add images Easy to add images EDRR tracking EDRR tracking

IPAM is a Project Invasive Plant Atlas of the MidSouth Invasive Plant Atlas of the MidSouth Designed to accomplish a specific goal Designed to accomplish a specific goal Funded for a specific time frame Funded for a specific time frame Mapping tool created to accomplish the goal Mapping tool created to accomplish the goal

FNAI is a Program FNAI: Florida Natural Areas Inventory FNAI: Florida Natural Areas Inventory Has several goals Has several goals Mapping invasive species in Floridas natural areas is one of the goals Mapping invasive species in Floridas natural areas is one of the goals Requires more GIS knowledge to use Requires more GIS knowledge to use

CISEH is a Program CISEH: The Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health CISEH: The Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health EDDMapS is a mapping tool created by CISEH EDDMapS is a mapping tool created by CISEH Two way sharing of data with other projects and programs Two way sharing of data with other projects and programs Entirely Grant Funded Entirely Grant Funded

EDDMapS Shares Data With:

EDDMapS Partners National park Service National park Service USDA Forest Service USDA Forest Service U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Southeast Exotic Pest Plant Council Southeast Exotic Pest Plant Council Mid-Atlantic Exotic Pest Plant Council Mid-Atlantic Exotic Pest Plant Council Alaska Natural Heritage Program Alaska Natural Heritage Program The Nature Conservancy The Nature Conservancy Missouri River Watershed Coalition Missouri River Watershed Coalition Center for Invasive Plant Management Center for Invasive Plant Management Center for Research on Invasive Species & Small Populations Center for Research on Invasive Species & Small Populations USDA NRCS Plants Database USDA NRCS Plants Database River to River CWMA River to River CWMA Florida Invasive Species Partnership Florida Invasive Species Partnership Everglades Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area Everglades Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Florida Natural Areas Inventory Florida Natural Areas Inventory Invasive Plant Atlas of the MidSouth Invasive Plant Atlas of the MidSouth Texas Invaders Texas Invaders

Other CISEH Projects/Tools ,000 images available in multiple resolutions from 1500 photographers Launch web interface in 2001 with 3,500 images

Goals for each CISMA Steps to get started 1.Create a local Early Detection list 2.Add EDDMapS to annual plant ID training 3.Find a local verifier (or two) 4.Create a list of audiences to train

1. EDRR Early Detection & Rapid Response

Simple EDRR Flow Chart Species reported (Create a List) RESPONSE Species verified Rapid assessment

Severely Infested Zones Advancing Front Control & Containment Strategies/Priorities Special Habitat Outliers

South-wide Early Detection Zone for Cogongrass July 2008

2. Annual EDDMapS Training Why EDDMapS?

Fast and easy to use - no knowledge of GIS required Fast and easy to use - no knowledge of GIS required Web-based mapping of invasive species distribution to help fill gaps and identify leading edge ranges Web-based mapping of invasive species distribution to help fill gaps and identify leading edge ranges Facilitates Early Detection and Rapid Response implementation with online data entry forms, alerts and network of expert verifiers Facilitates Early Detection and Rapid Response implementation with online data entry forms, alerts and network of expert verifiers

One Database for both local and national data One Database for both local and national data Data can be searched, queried and downloaded in a variety of formats Data can be searched, queried and downloaded in a variety of formats Cooperates with and aggregates data from other invasive species mapping projects Cooperates with and aggregates data from other invasive species mapping projects Custom/hosted applications can be quickly and inexpensively developed Custom/hosted applications can be quickly and inexpensively developed

Levels of Data County-level data County-level data Point data Point data Verified Verified Herbarium voucher - Highest Herbarium voucher - Highest Photograph Photograph Expert observation Expert observation Unverified Unverified Report without specimen, photograph or verification by expert Report without specimen, photograph or verification by expert

Uses of Data More complete distribution data More complete distribution data Early detection of new invaders Early detection of new invaders Identification of leading edges Identification of leading edges Refinement of lists and priorities Refinement of lists and priorities Clearer picture of invasive species problem Clearer picture of invasive species problem Justification of need for management and resources Justification of need for management and resources

3. Find a Local Verifier

Why is it important? What do they do? Everything goes in as unverified until someone reviews it Everything goes in as unverified until someone reviews it When something is reported an is automatically generated and sent to verifier When something is reported an is automatically generated and sent to verifier Verifier reviews report Verifier reviews report If trusted observer or clear pictures verify If trusted observer or clear pictures verify If not follow up with observer If not follow up with observer Worst case – verifier or CISMA member visits location Worst case – verifier or CISMA member visits location

This animal was photographed in Northeast Georgia. Can you tell us what it is and if it is just an albino of a native species or, in fact, a non-native animal? Thanks for you help. Jake Reid What is It?

Photos by Jake Reid

Photos by Ricky Layson Photography, Bugwood.org

Photo by Michael Lusk

Photo from Wikimedia Commons

4. Create a List of Audiences to Train Florida Invasive Species Working Groups

Stakeholder Groups DNR DNR Master Naturalists Master Naturalists Master Gardeners Master Gardeners Scouts Scouts DOT DOT ??? ???

Entering Data Helpful HintsHelpful Hints Common QuestionsCommon Questions

Showy rattlebox, Crotalaria spectabilis

100 feet 60 feet

100 feet 60 feet

100 feet 60 feet

Future Enhancements to Distribution Maps Show County or CWMA/CISMA boundaries on Google Maps Show County or CWMA/CISMA boundaries on Google Maps Map Negative Data – over 1 million records from Alaska Map Negative Data – over 1 million records from Alaska View Data by Year View Data by Year Select area on map and view multiple species Select area on map and view multiple species

Future Enhancements to Tools and Training Advanced Query Tools Advanced Query Tools By State or Multiple States By State or Multiple States By User By User By Habitat By Habitat Any Attribute or Combination of Attributes Any Attribute or Combination of Attributes Download custom data Download custom data Map custom data Map custom data

Future Enhancements to Tools and Training View species reported in surrounding states/counties but not in selected state/county View species reported in surrounding states/counties but not in selected state/county Online Training Course with CEUs Online Training Course with CEUs Better Field and Electronic Forms Better Field and Electronic Forms

Future Enhancements to Report Sightings Add unlisted species Add unlisted species Certainty of Identification Certainty of Identification Report without having an user account Report without having an user account Save a Location Save a Location (My Favorite Locations) Better Error Checking Better Error Checking EDDMapS Mobile EDDMapS Mobile

Part II How to Collect Data How to Collect Data Good Images Good Images Herbarium Specimens Herbarium Specimens

How to collect data GPS unit: set to GPS unit: set to degrees decimal degrees decimal Digital camera Digital camera Check your equipment Check your equipment

Geotagging of Photos

Field Safety Avoid walking through areas where you cannot see your feet. Thick vegetation may hide venomous animals or uneven terrain from view. Avoid walking through areas where you cannot see your feet. Thick vegetation may hide venomous animals or uneven terrain from view. If searching for species patches from a vehicle, always go in teams. Vehicle drivers should pay attention to the road. Passengers can look for target species. If searching for species patches from a vehicle, always go in teams. Vehicle drivers should pay attention to the road. Passengers can look for target species. When surveying on roadsides, pull vehicles far 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. When surveying on roadsides, pull vehicles far 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. 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. 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. Always hike with at least one partner and inform someone not in your party of where you are going and when you plan to return. Always hike with at least one partner and inform someone not in your party of where you are going and when you plan to return. Bring sufficient water and sun protection. Bring sufficient water and sun protection. If you have known allergies or other medical conditions that might require you to take medications in the field, then bring your medications with you. If you have known allergies or other medical conditions that might require you to take medications in the field, then bring your medications with you.

Field Kit Backpack Backpack Camera Camera Camera memory card Camera memory card USB card reader and cable USB card reader and cable Extra batteries Extra batteries GPS Unit GPS Unit Clipboard Clipboard Blank data sheets Blank data sheets Species ID cards (if available) Species ID cards (if available) EDDMapS handbook EDDMapS handbook Pencils/sharpie pens Pencils/sharpie pens Maps Maps Seed removal brush Seed removal brush First Aid kit First Aid kit

Good Images Choose your subject : what are you trying to show? Choose your subject : what are you trying to show?

Focus sure the subject is in focus sure the subject is in focus

Light Usually having the sun behind you, rather than behind your subject is best. Usually having the sun behind you, rather than behind your subject is best.

Plants: Site photo by Karan Rawlins, University of Georgia Infestation - kudzu, Pueraria montana var. lobata

Plants: Close-up photo by Chris Evans, University of Georgia Shrub - Chinese privet, Ligustrum sinense

Identifying characteristics glandular notch at the base of the leaflets photo by Chris Evans, University of Georgia Tree-of-heaven, Ailanthus altissima

Identifying characteristics

Animals: Site

Identifying characteristics Head Markings Color Shape/size

General hints Take multiple photographs of the same subject and choose the best for uploading Look for unique features such as pointed rhizomes on cogongrass, or glandular notches at the base of tree-of-heaven leaflets Position yourself so the sun is over your shoulder for the best light (Frontlit image) Automatic settings on digital cameras work very well for most situations Digital cameras usually have a macro setting for close-ups Remember the images will be used to validate your report to EDDMapS, so good images make all the difference. Have fun!

Be prepared Know your camera – read the manual Take extra batteries and memory cards with you

iPhone Web App

Other Mobile Platforms

Herbarium Specimens Plant collecting guidelines Plant collecting guidelines Using a plant press Using a plant press Buying or making a plant press Buying or making a plant press Mounting guidelines for herbarium samples Mounting guidelines for herbarium samples

Plant Collecting Guidelines Collect only native or naturalized species from natural environments Collect only native or naturalized species from natural environments Try to collect fertile plants only (currently producing flower or fruit). Try to collect fertile plants only (currently producing flower or fruit). Do not collect a plant if there are only a few like it in the area, take a picture instead. Do not collect a plant if there are only a few like it in the area, take a picture instead. Collect as many identifying characteristics of the plant as you can (i.e. flowers, fruits, leaves, roots, etc.). Collect as many identifying characteristics of the plant as you can (i.e. flowers, fruits, leaves, roots, etc.).

Collect Identifying Characteristics

Plant Press When filling your plant press, begin at the bottom and work up. When filling your plant press, begin at the bottom and work up. Place each plant in a single fold of newspaper on top of a blotter (larger newspapers such as The Wall Street Journal work best). Place each plant in a single fold of newspaper on top of a blotter (larger newspapers such as The Wall Street Journal work best). Do not over stuff plant material into a press. Be neat. Do not over stuff plant material into a press. Be neat. Make sure the plant fits nicely into the press. If needed, bend plants into a 'V' or 'N' shape. Make sure the plant fits nicely into the press. If needed, bend plants into a 'V' or 'N' shape. Layer with a blotter, then cardboard and then another blotter before pressing the next plant. Layer with a blotter, then cardboard and then another blotter before pressing the next plant. After arranging all specimens in the plant press, place the top on the press and secure down tightly with the fasteners. After arranging all specimens in the plant press, place the top on the press and secure down tightly with the fasteners.

Example herbarium label: PLANTS OF GEORGIA Solanum nigrum L. TIFT Co. Grass verge at north west corner of Moore Hwy. at the I-75 overpass. N lat ; W long. – Highly disturbed roadside area. Several invasive species present. Partially shaded by native and invasive trees and shrubs. K.A. Rawlins 22 October 2009 Solanaceae

Now it is your turn!

Thank You!