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
Landscape-Scale Wildland Inventories: Utah State University Methods
What is your background?
GETTING STARTED Step #1 Set Project Objectives Step #2 Match Methods to Objectives
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.
Know Where the Weeds Are!
Better Prioritization of Areas and Species for Management
Set Control Priorities and Guide Field Operations EDRR and eradication of new invaders Containment / reduction of widespread species Estimation of resources required
$1.50 / acre $2.50 / acre $6 / acre $9 / acre
DEFINING THE SEARCH METHOD Where do you start?
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
Define Search Pattern Set search pattern according to target size, terrain, cover, and species
Trails / Roads 25 yards on either side of the trail
Rivers / Streams 25 yards on either side of the river
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)
Excellent Visibility Medium Weed (Russian Knapweed) 100 Yard Effective Swath 100 yds
Poor Visibility Medium Weed 25 Yard Effective Swath 25 yds
UTM Method
S N UTM Eastings
S N UTM Northings
S N EDSW = 50 Meters Determine the Appropriate EDSW in Meters
S N 4592400 N 4592450 N 4592500 N Select a UTM Starting Point With Northing / Easting Value Ending in 00 or other EDSW Increment
S N 4592450 N Begin Walking Along the Envisioned Northing or Easting Grid Line, Keeping the Corresponding UTM Value as Constant as Possible
S N 4592450 N 4592500 N When Swath Is Completed, Move 1 EDSW North, and on the Next Incremental UTM Grid Line
Contouring Search Pattern
Document species in T&E habitat for eradication
Questions??? Setting Objectives / Priorities Search Methods
DEFINING THE INFESTATION
Define Target Species Single or Multiple Species? Control Priority Based? Eradicate Control / Contain Ignore
Define Target Growth Stage Mature Plants? Include Seedlings?
Define Minimum Target Size Single Plants? Patches?
A Dilemma Find Every Weed? Or Search All Acres? Usually Can t Do Both
Is it Practical to Search for Every Plant?
How Long Would it Take to Inventory this Area for all Single Plants of Spotted Knapweed?
How Long Would it Take to Inventory this Area for all Patches of Spotted Knapweed 0.25-Acre (104 x 104 ft) or Larger?
How Long Would it Take to Inventory this Area for all Single Plants of Spotted Knapweed?
How Long Would it Take to Inventory this Area for all Patches of Spotted Knapweed 0.25-Acre (104 x 104 ft) or Larger?
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
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
Minimum Detection Target Size Set Based Upon Project Objectives Be Consistent Throughout Project
What Constitutes a Single Patch?
Should I Map them as 1 Patch or 3?
Common Question: How far apart must 2 weed plants or patches be before they are considered separate infestations?
Patch Separation Resolution (PSR) Maximum Distance Between Individual Plants or Patches of Weeds Considered Part of the Same Mapping Feature Infestation
50 Yards How many weed patches?
50 Yards PSR Distance 10 Yards 6 Points
PSR Distance 25 Yards 4 Points
Patch Separation Resolution Set Based Upon Project and/or Control Objectives Be Consistent Throughout Project
Estimating Patch Size Accuracy Consistency Efficiency
Points vs. Polygons (Same infestation mapped both ways) POINTS 5 Point Sizes 2 Density Categories 10.85 Acres Infested POLYGONS Patch Perimeters 2 Density Categories 11.03 Acres Infested
Polygon (Screen-drawn)
Laser Rangefinders Estimate size of infestations with more precision Patch radius (center to edge) Average of shortest and longest radii Length x width
Size: 0.5 acre 30 ft 180 ft Total Area: 21,600 sq ft
Which feature would you use? 1 st known population of Oxeye daisy in National Forest Goal: Eradication
Which feature would you use? Map multiple species in 50,000 acre National Forest Goal: Control / Contain
Questions??? Describing Infestations Search Methods
ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS
Track Logs
Indicates Boundaries and Search Coverage
Document/Protect Weed Free Areas
Is This the Only One? 1 Scotch Thistle Document Areas Searched but No Weeds Found
Identify and Protect Clean Lands
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
Standardize Procedures Among Staff