Citizen Science Project - EDDMapS

Luckily, I have been involved in some invasive species management projects prior to beginning my work with EDDMapS, so I had some training on recognizing and identifying invasive species. For folks that don't have training in this area, the desktop version at EDDMapS.org contains lots of good tools for learning to identify invasives in their area. I used EDDMapS through the Android App. I downloaded it  for free from the app store and began right away. The app is very intuitive. You simply open it, push the green button with a plus sign on it and drop the location of the species you are reporting. You can take a photo, report the density, report if that species has been treated, and select a habitat classification such as wetland, yard, managed area, easement, etc. You can save any additional details and treatment comments. Here is what the screen looks like for the desktop version after I uploaded my reports Two of the main species I reported were Johnson Grass and E...

EDDMapS is a way for invasive plant management to be expanded and informed more closely. Inside protected areas, invasive plants are largely monitored and treated by biologists according to management plans or on site decision making at the ground level. Invasive species often choke out native species, decreasing biodiversity. They can reduce or eliminate plants that are necessary for local wildlife, that maintain erosion control, and that balance the soil composition. Some invasives can change the chemical composition of the soil itself. Some, such as tree of heaven or ailanthus altissima, release a chemical that stunts the growth of other plants. Impacted sites can be hotbeds for invasive species, so the more impact that is concentrated in an area, the more attention must be paid to the possible infestation and spread of invasive species. EDDMapS can help land managers, private home owners, non profit groups, volunteers, and other make more informed decisions about invasive speci...

Early Detection & Distribution Mapping System EDDMapS was originally launched by the University of Georgia. It is an interactive mapping tool that is used to report and track invasive species. Available for both Iphone and Android devices, EDDMapS allows the user to drop a location point or draw a polygon and upload it to the map to report an invasive species. The user can select an invasive species from the database and upload a picture. Invasive species data is also imported from other sources like the US Forest Service's Natural Resource Information System. A very helpful feature of EDDMapS is the ability to use an offline map when there's no cell phone service and then upload the location points later. Information from EDDMapS helps inform land managers and facilitate Early Detection Rapid Response programs to control and monitor the spread of invasive species. Land managers can access reported data to understand what invasive species are in their own areas. In ...