EDDMapS: EDDMapS: Invasive Invasive Species Mapping Species Mapping Made Easy!Made Easy!

Karan Rawlins, University of GeorgiaKaran Rawlins, University of Georgia

Trish Gramajo-St. John , The Nature Conservancy Trish Gramajo-St. John , The Nature Conservancy

Andrea Mitchell, The Nature Conservancy Andrea Mitchell, The Nature Conservancy

Part IPart I

EDDMapS overviewEDDMapS overview Goals for CISMAsGoals for CISMAs Entering DataEntering 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 ToolEDDMapS is a Tool

Early Detection & Distribution Early Detection & Distribution Mapping System created by CISEHMapping System created by CISEH

Chosen by FISP for CISMAsChosen by FISP for CISMAs Chosen by Florida Fish & Wildlife for Chosen by Florida Fish & Wildlife for

Invasive animals data Invasive animals data Easy to useEasy to use Easy to add imagesEasy to add images EDRR trackingEDRR tracking

IPAM is a ProjectIPAM is a Project

Invasive Plant Atlas of the MidSouthInvasive Plant Atlas of the MidSouth Designed to accomplish a specific Designed to accomplish a specific

goalgoal Funded for a specific time frameFunded for a specific time frame Mapping tool created to accomplish Mapping tool created to accomplish

the goalthe goal

FNAI is a ProgramFNAI is a Program

FNAI: Florida Natural Areas InventoryFNAI: Florida Natural Areas Inventory Has several goalsHas several goals Mapping invasive species in Florida’s Mapping invasive species in Florida’s

natural areas is one of the goalsnatural areas is one of the goals Requires more GIS knowledge to useRequires more GIS knowledge to use

CISEH is a ProgramCISEH is a Program CISEH: The Center for Invasive CISEH: The Center for Invasive

Species and Ecosystem HealthSpecies and Ecosystem Health EDDMapS is a mapping tool created EDDMapS is a mapping tool created

by CISEHby CISEH Two way sharing of data with other Two way sharing of data with other

projects and programsprojects and programs Entirely Grant FundedEntirely Grant Funded

EDDMapS Shares Data With:EDDMapS Shares Data With:

EDDMapS PartnersEDDMapS Partners National park ServiceNational park Service USDA Forest ServiceUSDA Forest Service U.S. Fish and Wildlife ServiceU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Southeast Exotic Pest Plant CouncilSoutheast Exotic Pest Plant Council Mid-Atlantic Exotic Pest Plant CouncilMid-Atlantic Exotic Pest Plant Council Alaska Natural Heritage ProgramAlaska Natural Heritage Program The Nature ConservancyThe Nature Conservancy Missouri River Watershed CoalitionMissouri River Watershed Coalition Center for Invasive Plant ManagementCenter for Invasive Plant Management Center for Research on Invasive Species & Small PopulationsCenter for Research on Invasive Species & Small Populations USDA NRCS Plants DatabaseUSDA NRCS Plants Database River to River CWMARiver to River CWMA Florida Invasive Species PartnershipFlorida Invasive Species Partnership Everglades Cooperative Invasive Species Management AreaEverglades Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation CommissionFlorida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Florida Natural Areas InventoryFlorida Natural Areas Inventory Invasive Plant Atlas of the MidSouthInvasive Plant Atlas of the MidSouth Texas InvadersTexas Invaders

Other CISEH Projects/ToolsOther CISEH Projects/Tools

www.forestryimages.orgwww.forestryimages.org www.invasive.orgwww.invasive.org www.ipmimages.orgwww.ipmimages.org www.insectimages.orgwww.insectimages.org

•103,000 images available in multiple resolutions from 1500 photographers

•Launch web interface in 2001 with 3,500 images

Goals for each CISMAGoals for each CISMASteps to get startedSteps to get started

1.1. Create a local Early Detection listCreate a local Early Detection list

2.2. Add EDDMapS to annual plant ID Add EDDMapS to annual plant ID trainingtraining

3.3. Find a local verifier (or two) Find a local verifier (or two)

4.4. Create a list of audiences to trainCreate a list of audiences to train

1. EDRR1. EDRR

Early Early Detection Detection & Rapid & Rapid ResponseResponse

Simple EDRR Flow ChartSimple EDRR Flow Chart

Species reported (Create a List)

RESPONSE

Species verified

Rapid assessment

Severely Infested Severely Infested ZonesZones

Advancing Advancing FrontFront

Control & Containment Control & Containment Strategies/PrioritiesStrategies/Priorities

SpecialHabitat

OutliersOutliers

South-wide Early Detection Zone for CogongrassJuly 2008

2. Annual EDDMapS 2. Annual EDDMapS TrainingTraining

Why EDDMapS?Why EDDMapS?

Fast and easy to use - no knowledge Fast and easy to use - no knowledge of GIS requiredof GIS required

Web-based mapping of invasive Web-based mapping of invasive species distribution to help fill gaps species distribution to help fill gaps and identify “leading edge” rangesand identify “leading edge” ranges

Facilitates Early Detection and Rapid Facilitates Early Detection and Rapid Response implementation with online Response implementation with online data entry forms, e-mail alerts and data entry forms, e-mail alerts and network of expert verifiersnetwork of expert verifiers

One Database for both local and One Database for both local and national datanational data

Data can be searched, queried and Data can be searched, queried and downloaded in a variety of formatsdownloaded in a variety of formats

Cooperates with and aggregates data Cooperates with and aggregates data from other invasive species mapping from other invasive species mapping projectsprojects

Custom/hosted applications can be Custom/hosted applications can be quickly and inexpensively developedquickly and inexpensively developed

Levels of DataLevels of Data County-level dataCounty-level data Point dataPoint data

VerifiedVerified Herbarium voucher - HighestHerbarium voucher - Highest Photograph Photograph Expert observationExpert observation

UnverifiedUnverified Report without specimen, photograph or Report without specimen, photograph or

verification by expertverification by expert

Uses of DataUses of Data More complete distribution dataMore complete distribution data Early detection of new invadersEarly detection of new invaders Identification of “leading edges” Identification of “leading edges” Refinement of lists and prioritiesRefinement of lists and priorities Clearer picture of invasive species Clearer picture of invasive species

problem problem Justification of need for management Justification of need for management

and resourcesand resources

3. Find a Local3. Find a Local

VerifierVerifier

Why is it important? Why is it important? What do they do?What do they do? Everything goes in as unverified until Everything goes in as unverified until

someone reviews itsomeone reviews it When something is reported an email is When something is reported an email is

automatically generated and sent to verifierautomatically generated and sent to verifier Verifier reviews reportVerifier reviews report If trusted observer or clear pictures verifyIf trusted observer or clear pictures verify If not follow up with observerIf not follow up with observer Worst case – verifier or CISMA member Worst case – verifier or CISMA member

visits locationvisits location

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

  

Thanks for you help.Thanks for you help.

Jake ReidJake Reid

What is It?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 4. Create a List of Audiences to TrainAudiences to Train

Florida Invasive Florida Invasive SpeciesSpecies

Working GroupsWorking Groups

Stakeholder GroupsStakeholder Groups

DNRDNR Master NaturalistsMaster Naturalists Master GardenersMaster Gardeners ScoutsScouts DOTDOT ??????

Entering DataEntering Data•Helpful HintsHelpful Hints

•Common QuestionsCommon Questions

Showy rattlebox, Crotalaria spectabilis

100 feet

60 f

eet

100 feet

60 f

eet

100 feet

60 f

eet

Future Enhancements to Future Enhancements to Distribution MapsDistribution Maps

Show County or CWMA/CISMA Show County or CWMA/CISMA boundaries on Google Mapsboundaries on Google Maps

Map Negative Data – over 1 Map Negative Data – over 1 million records from Alaskamillion records from Alaska

View Data by YearView Data by Year Select area on map and view Select area on map and view

multiple speciesmultiple species

Future Enhancements to Future Enhancements to Tools and Training Tools and Training

Advanced Query ToolsAdvanced Query Tools By State or Multiple StatesBy State or Multiple States By UserBy User By HabitatBy Habitat Any Attribute or Combination of Any Attribute or Combination of

AttributesAttributes Download custom dataDownload custom data Map custom dataMap custom data

Future Enhancements to Future Enhancements to Tools and Training Tools and Training

View species reported in surrounding View species reported in surrounding states/counties but not in selected states/counties but not in selected state/countystate/county

Online Training Course with CEU’sOnline Training Course with CEU’s

Better Field and Electronic FormsBetter Field and Electronic Forms

Future Enhancements toFuture Enhancements toReport Sightings Report Sightings

Add unlisted speciesAdd unlisted species Certainty of IdentificationCertainty of Identification Report without having an user accountReport without having an user account Save a Location Save a Location

(My Favorite Locations)(My Favorite Locations) Better Error CheckingBetter Error Checking EDDMapS MobileEDDMapS Mobile

Part IIPart II How to Collect DataHow to Collect Data Good ImagesGood Images Herbarium SpecimensHerbarium Specimens

How to collect dataHow to collect data

GPS unit: set toGPS unit: set to

degrees decimaldegrees decimal

Digital cameraDigital camera

Check your equipmentCheck your equipment

Geotagging of PhotosGeotagging of Photos

Field SafetyField Safety Avoid walking through areas where you cannot see your feet. Thick Avoid walking through areas where you cannot see your feet. Thick

vegetation may hide venomous animals or uneven terrain from view. vegetation may hide venomous animals or uneven terrain from view. If searching for species patches from a vehicle, always go in teams. If searching for species patches from a vehicle, always go in teams.

Vehicle drivers should pay attention to the road. Passengers can look Vehicle drivers should pay attention to the road. Passengers can look for target species. for target species.

When surveying on roadsides, pull vehicles far off the road, taking 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 care to park on a firm surface. Be aware of passing traffic and stay clear of traffic lanes while collecting data.  clear of traffic lanes while collecting data.  

Bring a cell phone (but be aware that many remote areas are out of 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 service range) and carry a topographic map or trails map of the area in which you are hiking. which you are hiking. 

Always hike with at least one partner and inform someone not in your 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. 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 If you have known allergies or other medical conditions that might

require you to take medications in the field, then bring your require you to take medications in the field, then bring your medications with you. medications with you.

Field KitField Kit BackpackBackpack CameraCamera Camera memory cardCamera memory card USB card reader and cableUSB card reader and cable Extra batteriesExtra batteries GPS UnitGPS Unit ClipboardClipboard Blank data sheetsBlank data sheets Species ID cards (if available) Species ID cards (if available) EDDMapS handbookEDDMapS handbook Pencils/sharpie pensPencils/sharpie pens MapsMaps Seed removal brushSeed removal brush First Aid kitFirst Aid kit

Good ImagesGood Images

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

FocusFocus

sure the subject is in focussure the subject is in focus

LightLight

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

Plants:Plants:SiteSite

photo by Karan Rawlins, University of Georgia

Infestation - kudzu, Pueraria montana var. lobata

Plants:Plants:Close-up Close-up

photo by Chris Evans, University of Georgia

Shrub - Chinese privet, Ligustrum sinense

Identifying Identifying characteristicscharacteristics

glandular notch at the base of the leaflets

photo by Chris Evans, University of Georgia

Tree-of-heaven, Ailanthus altissima

Identifying Identifying characteristicscharacteristics

Animals: SiteAnimals: Site

IdentifyingIdentifyingcharacteristicscharacteristics

HeadMarkingsColorShape/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 preparedBe prepared

Know your camera – read the manual

Take extra batteries and memory cards with you

iPhone Web AppiPhone Web App

Other Mobile PlatformsOther Mobile Platforms

Herbarium SpecimensHerbarium Specimens

Plant collecting guidelinesPlant collecting guidelines

Using a plant pressUsing a plant press

Buying or making a plant pressBuying or making a plant press

Mounting guidelines for herbarium Mounting guidelines for herbarium samplessamples

Plant Collecting GuidelinesPlant Collecting Guidelines Collect only native or naturalized Collect only native or naturalized

species from natural environmentsspecies from natural environments Try to collect fertile plants only Try to collect fertile plants only

(currently producing flower or fruit). (currently producing flower or fruit). Do not collect a plant if there are only a Do not collect a plant if there are only a

few like it in the area, take a picture few like it in the area, take a picture instead. instead.

Collect as many identifying Collect as many identifying characteristics of the plant as you can characteristics of the plant as you can (i.e. flowers, fruits, leaves, roots, etc.). (i.e. flowers, fruits, leaves, roots, etc.).

Collect Identifying Collect Identifying CharacteristicsCharacteristics

Plant PressPlant Press When filling your plant press, begin at the bottom When filling your plant press, begin at the bottom

and work up. and work up. Place each plant in a single fold of newspaper on top Place each plant in a single fold of newspaper on top

of a blotter (larger newspapers such as The Wall of a blotter (larger newspapers such as The Wall Street Journal work best).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 Make sure the plant fits nicely into the press. If

needed, bend plants into a 'V' or 'N' shape.needed, bend plants into a 'V' or 'N' shape. Layer with a blotter, then cardboard and then Layer with a blotter, then cardboard and then

another blotter before pressing the next plant.another blotter before pressing the next plant. After arranging all specimens in the plant press, After arranging all specimens in the plant press,

place the top on the press and secure down tightly place the top on the press and secure down tightly with the fasteners. with the fasteners.

Example herbarium label:Example herbarium label:

PLANTS OF GEORGIAPLANTS OF GEORGIA

SolanumSolanum nigrumnigrum L. L.

TIFT Co. Grass verge at north west corner of Moore Hwy. at the I-75 TIFT Co. Grass verge at north west corner of Moore Hwy. at the I-75 overpass . N lat. 31.475963;overpass . N lat. 31.475963;W long. –83.523216.W long. –83.523216.

Highly disturbed roadside area. Several invasive species present. Highly disturbed roadside area. Several invasive species present. Partially shaded by native and invasive trees and shrubs.Partially shaded by native and invasive trees and shrubs.

K.A. Rawlins K.A. Rawlins 22 October 200922 October 2009SolanaceaeSolanaceae

  

Now it is your Now it is your turn!turn!

www.eddmaps.org/floridawww.eddmaps.org/florida

www.floridainvasives.orgwww.floridainvasives.org

Thank You! Thank You!