Invasive Plant Inventory & Survey Methods Web Seminar Series

Transcription

1 Invasive Plant Inventory & Survey Methods Web Seminar Series TODAY S PRESENTATION Landscape-Scale Wildland Inventories/Surveys: Utah State University Methods Kimberly Edvarchuk Utah State University

2 Landscape-Scale Wildland Inventories: Utah State University Methods

3 What is your background?

4 GETTING STARTED Step #1 Set Project Objectives Step #2 Match Methods to Objectives

5 What is a Weed Survey / Inventory? A visual representation of the weed situation as seen by the surveyor that is used to guide decisions in the management of weed species.

6 Know Where the Weeds Are!

7 Better Prioritization of Areas and Species for Management

8 Set Control Priorities and Guide Field Operations EDRR and eradication of new invaders Containment / reduction of widespread species Estimation of resources required

9 $1.50 / acre $2.50 / acre $6 / acre $9 / acre

10 DEFINING THE SEARCH METHOD Where do you start?

11 Focus on Priority Areas Use Patterns - Disturbance Roads / Trails Campgrounds/Visitor Use Areas Riparian Areas Backcountry sites Forest boundary Management Goals Riparian Areas Grazing Areas Wildlife Habitat Resources Impacted Prescribed burns T & E Habitat Erosion Potential Wildlife Habitat

12 Define Search Pattern Set search pattern according to target size, terrain, cover, and species

13 Trails / Roads 25 yards on either side of the trail

14 Rivers / Streams 25 yards on either side of the river

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16 What Should be the Maximum Distance Between Search Paths? Based on maximum distance at which the least visible target (species and size) can be consistently recognized under actual field conditions (Effective Detection Distance) Used to establish the Effective Detection Swath Width or Effective Detection Search Width (EDSW)

17 Excellent Visibility Medium Weed (Russian Knapweed) 100 Yard Effective Swath 100 yds

18 Poor Visibility Medium Weed 25 Yard Effective Swath 25 yds

19 UTM Method

20 S N UTM Eastings

21 S N UTM Northings

22 S N EDSW = 50 Meters Determine the Appropriate EDSW in Meters

23 S N N N N Select a UTM Starting Point With Northing / Easting Value Ending in 00 or other EDSW Increment

24 S N N Begin Walking Along the Envisioned Northing or Easting Grid Line, Keeping the Corresponding UTM Value as Constant as Possible

25 S N N N When Swath Is Completed, Move 1 EDSW North, and on the Next Incremental UTM Grid Line

26 Contouring Search Pattern

27 Document species in T&E habitat for eradication

28 Questions??? Setting Objectives / Priorities Search Methods

29 DEFINING THE INFESTATION

30 Define Target Species Single or Multiple Species? Control Priority Based? Eradicate Control / Contain Ignore

31 Define Target Growth Stage Mature Plants? Include Seedlings?

32 Define Minimum Target Size Single Plants? Patches?

33 A Dilemma Find Every Weed? Or Search All Acres? Usually Can t Do Both

34 Is it Practical to Search for Every Plant?

35 How Long Would it Take to Inventory this Area for all Single Plants of Spotted Knapweed?

36 How Long Would it Take to Inventory this Area for all Patches of Spotted Knapweed 0.25-Acre (104 x 104 ft) or Larger?

37 How Long Would it Take to Inventory this Area for all Single Plants of Spotted Knapweed?

38 How Long Would it Take to Inventory this Area for all Patches of Spotted Knapweed 0.25-Acre (104 x 104 ft) or Larger?

39 There s a Point in the Life of Every Problem When its Big Enough to be Seen, But Small Enough to be Solved. - Governor Mike Leavitt

40 Setting Target Size Set Minimum Detection Target Size to represent the largest infestation that, if missed in the current inventory, could still be eradicated at the size it would be when found in the next inventory USU MDTS = 0.01 acre

41 Minimum Detection Target Size Set Based Upon Project Objectives Be Consistent Throughout Project

42 What Constitutes a Single Patch?

43 Should I Map them as 1 Patch or 3?

44 Common Question: How far apart must 2 weed plants or patches be before they are considered separate infestations?

45 Patch Separation Resolution (PSR) Maximum Distance Between Individual Plants or Patches of Weeds Considered Part of the Same Mapping Feature Infestation

46 50 Yards How many weed patches?

47 50 Yards PSR Distance 10 Yards 6 Points

48 PSR Distance 25 Yards 4 Points

49 Patch Separation Resolution Set Based Upon Project and/or Control Objectives Be Consistent Throughout Project

50 Estimating Patch Size Accuracy Consistency Efficiency

51 Points vs. Polygons (Same infestation mapped both ways) POINTS 5 Point Sizes 2 Density Categories Acres Infested POLYGONS Patch Perimeters 2 Density Categories Acres Infested

52 Polygon (Screen-drawn)

53 Laser Rangefinders Estimate size of infestations with more precision Patch radius (center to edge) Average of shortest and longest radii Length x width

54 Size: 0.5 acre 30 ft 180 ft Total Area: 21,600 sq ft

55 Which feature would you use? 1 st known population of Oxeye daisy in National Forest Goal: Eradication

56 Which feature would you use? Map multiple species in 50,000 acre National Forest Goal: Control / Contain

57 Questions??? Describing Infestations Search Methods

58 ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS

59 Track Logs

60 Indicates Boundaries and Search Coverage

61 Document/Protect Weed Free Areas

62 Is This the Only One? 1 Scotch Thistle Document Areas Searched but No Weeds Found

63 Identify and Protect Clean Lands

64 Summary Set Clear Objectives Match Methods to Objectives Prioritize areas Determine search method Determine minimum target size Determine patch separation resolution Document Searched Areas Include methods as part of IPM plan

65 Standardize Procedures Among Staff