Invasive Mapping Protocols.pdf

SU: (Revised 03/25/2011)

DNR: PRD: Stewardship Unit

Invasive Plant Mapping Protocols

The objective for all invasive mapping projects is to document where these plants are occurring and to what extent they have spread. These guidelines will assist all PRD staff and volunteers in documenting invasive plants within our state parks and recreation areas. The overall goal is to incorporate all maps and data into our Stewardship GIS database to develop control strategies and then implement treatment of these areas in an effective manner.

Documentation: All information about an invasive species occurrence must be documented using the official GPS mapping form. All locations must be recorded using a GPS unit. If a GPS unit is not available or the signal is temporarily lost, the occurrence must be documented on an aerial photo using the GPS protocols. New occurrences should be marked with flagging ONLY if necessary to help relocate the occurrence for treatment. The use of flagging or other references should be noted on the data form.

All equipment, materials and instructions will be provided by the stewardship unit and/or park unit as needed.

All GPS data should be saved in .gpx file format. The forms can be emailed, mailed or faxed with the STR.

GPS Protocols: For all occurrences less than one acre record a point location (waypoint 25 position average) on the center of that population. If the area is heavily infested and distinct populations can be easily seen one to the next, mark no more than ONE point per 100 ft. For areas one acre and larger record a track line around the perimeter and a point location somewhere within that tracked polygon. Both the point and corresponding line feature must have the same exact ID number. All GPS points must be labeled with a unique ID number using the numbering convention explained below. Areas surveyed off-trail must be documented by having the track log on for an entire mapping session. Remember to periodically save these tracks before you map an occurrence over an acre and at the end of each mapping session (this should be at the completion of a location or day).

Unique ID: For each GPS position collected, record a unique number in the GPS unit for each point as follows:

“PKJS0001” where PK is the two letter code for the park, JS is the assigned observer code of the person mapping, followed by a four digit sequential number. Within each park, the number portion of the ID for each person must never repeat. Refer to the Unique ID Report from the Invasive Mapping Unique ID database (provided by stewardship staff) for your last mapped point.

Data Form: For each GPS position collected (or for each dot on a hand recorded map) record the following information on the designated form.

o Observer Name “Jane Smith” o GPS Point Number “ HIJS0001” o Site Name/Description “Haven Hill Natural Area” o Park Name “Highland” o Date Mapped “04/22/2006” o Invasive Species: Use first three letters of the genus and species of the scientific name whenever possible.

For example, for garlic mustard use ALLPET (common names are also acceptable but be consistent) o Status: Mark each point treated (T) if sprayed, pulled, cut, etc. at the time the form is being filled out. Mark untreated (UT) if that individual or population is only being mapped at that time.

o Population Estimate: Estimate overall size of infestation using one of the following categories:

None (for none found where previously there was something there) Individual, Few, or Several (if actual stems are counted record this in the comment section) Up to and including 1000 square feet (about half a tennis court) 1001 square feet up to half an acre (the area of a hockey rink, or 100 ft. x 217.8 ft.)

Half an acre up to an acre (one acre is the size of a football field without end zones) One acre and larger (must GPS a polygon and a point in the center when this large) o Density: Circle one of the following categories on the form provided:

Dense: Greater than 40% of the area mapped (one or several obvious carpets/stands) Patchy: A mix of dense and sparse areas Sparse: Scattered individual stems or very small patches/stands o Comments: Note use of flagging, general quality of natural community, last year treated (if known) or other pertinent information about the location, species infestation or mapping. 100 character maximum.

NOTE: The point location is to document discrete populations or individuals that could potentially be missed during relocation, as well as to map the leading edge of the infestation. Population estimates characterize how many plants or how much area is represented by each GPS point and/or track recorded. Density estimates describe the general distribution pattern within the area that the point represents.