Attachment_K_Guidelines_for_Documenting_Invasive_Plant_Infestations_2021.docx

ATTACHMENT L

Guidelines for Documenting Invasive Plant Infestations 2021 Summary of products to be provided to the government:

1. Completed R6 Invasive Plants Inventory Field Forms (Attachment 8).

2. Completed Invasive Plant Infestation Summary Spreadsheet in Microsoft Excel (Attachment 11), populated with data transcribed from completed Invasive Plants Infestation Forms.

3. A summary ArcGIS shapefile (i.e. including data from all units and road segments), documenting infestations as polygons. Each polygon should be attributed with a unique Site ID (as described on the R6 Invasive Plants Inventory Field Form), NRM-IS site ID, unit, and full scientific name. Site ID is to preferred as the ArcGIS shapefile unique identifier in order to provide easy cross-referencing between forms, excel spreadsheet, and shapefile.

Specific Directions for delineating and recording invasive plant infestation polygons:

In this section, a distinction is made between the documentation approach for Early-Detection Rapid Response (EDRR) species and non-EDRR species. Take careful note of this distinction. EDRR and non-EDRR species are listed in the Invasive Botanical Species List (Attachment 4).

1. All infestations will be documented as a polygon (not a point), and data will recorded in a summary ArcGIS shapefile for the project. The GPS location data recorded on the Invasive Plants Infestation Form should reflect the approximate centroid of the infestation as spatially delineated in ArcGIS.

2. For non-EDRR species, complete a single R6 Invasive Plants Inventory Field Form (Attachment 8) form per invasive species, per unit, or per road segment. Base the spatial delineation of the polygon representing each infestation on the approximate boundary of the extent of the species within the unit or road segment.

3. For EDRR species, complete an R6 Invasive Plants Inventory Field Form (Attachment 8) form for every infestation. For EDRR species, the contractor will delineate occurrences spatially so as to provide the most meaningful representation of conditions of the ground. As far as is practicable and biologically relevant, substantial or significant non-infested areas should not be incorporated into records of invasive plant infestations. For example, diffuse or scattered small patches of an invasive plant across a hectare of land may be better documented as individual small polygons rather than a 1-hectare polygon with 1% infested area. Exact cutoffs will depend on the species, habitat type, and terrain, and will be left to the contractor’s best professional judgment. EDRR species will be prioritized for immediate treatment, so data collected by the contractor on these infestations should facilitate efficient re-location of infestations. Refer to Attachment 4, Invasive Botanical Species List, for a full list of target invasive species, including EDRR species.

Products to be provided to the government:

1. Completed Invasive Plant Inventory Field Forms, as specified above in electronic format.

2. Completed Invasive Plant Infestation Summary Spreadsheet (Attachment 11) in electronic format.

3. A summary ArcGIS shapefile (i.e. includes all units), documenting infestations as polygons. Each polygon should be attributed with unique Site ID (as described on the R6 Invasive Plant Inventory Field Form), NRM-IS site ID, unit, and full scientific name.