h. travis gallo lady bird johnson wildflower center at the university of texas at austin using...
TRANSCRIPT
H. Travis GalloLady Bird Johnson Wildflower Centerat the University of Texas at Austin
Using citizen science data to update the distribution of key invasive plants in Texas
What is an Invasive Species?
An "invasive species" is defined as a species that is non-native (or alien) to the
ecosystem under consideration and whose introduction causes or is likely to cause
economic or environmental harm or harm to human health. (Executive Order
13112).
"On a global basis...the two great destroyers of biodiversity are, first habitat destruction and, second, invasion by exotic species”
- E.O. Wilson
Carduus nutansArundo donax Lonicera japonicaAilanthus altissima
Texas Issues (circa 2005)
1. There is not a definitive source for IS information in Texas.
2. There is a need for more communication among the state’s IS stakeholders
3. A coordinated response to address IS on a statewide level has yet to materialize.
4. There is a gap in our knowledge about the distribution and biology of IS.
Citizen Science
• Citizen scientist- volunteers who participate as field assistants in scientific studies
• Why not experts?– Time– Space– $$$$$
Invaders of Texas: Recruitment and Equipment
• Recruitment– Texas Master Naturalist– NPSOT– Nature Centers– Conservation Volunteer
Based Groups– Online “Voyager”
Satellite
• Equipment– GPS (optional)– Digital camera– Datasheet
Invaders of Texas: Detection Database
Tracks species observations submitted by volunteers.
Provides the public with full access to citizen science data.
Links to species observation detail page plant detail page and validation information.
Procedure based on Nature Conservancy Weed Information Management System.
Invaders of Texas: Species Observation
Fields:
Species
Patch Type
Abundance
Disturbance
Collector
Satellite
Date & Time
GPS Coordinates
Location Notes
Validation
Map
Image
Invaders of Texas: Mapping
Google Maps
Interactive and
searchable by
Species or Satellite
and linked to
individual records.
Invaders of Texas: Species Observation
Fields:
Species
Patch Type
Abundance
Disturbance
Collector
Satellite
Date & Time
GPS Coordinates
Location Notes
Validation
Map
Image
Methods: Mapping distributions
• Picked 5 species1. Lonicera japonica (Japanese honeysuckle)2. Melia azedarach (Chinaberry tree)3. Triadica sebifera (Chinese tallow)4. Ligustrum lucidum (Glossy Privet)5. Arundo donax (Giant Reed)
• Combined 2 distribution references– USDA PLANTS Database– Atlas of Vascular Plants of Texas (Turner et al., 2003)
Invaders data
• Export species data www.texasinvasives.org
• Import to ArcGIS 9.3• Create county maps• Compare
Results: Triadica sebifera
•Invaders – 44
•Unique Invaders- 26 (40%)
•USDA/Turner – 40 (60%)
65% increase in recorded distribution from USDA &Turner
Results: Ligustrum lucidum
•Invaders – 16
•Unique Invaders- 12 (48%)
•USDA/Turner – 13 (52%)
75% increase in recorded distribution from USDA &Turner
Results: Arundo donax
•Invaders – 80
•Unique Invaders- 58 (60%)
•USDA/Turner – 39 (40%)
149% increase in recorded distribution from USDA &Turner
Moral of the Story?
• Citizen scientist are contributing valuable information
• National Contribution (EDDMapS)
Future needs
• Expansion of citizen scientists
• Target counties• Keeping current citizen
scientist more engaged– Currently working with
Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Future goals
• Expand reporting to not just plants
• Create a sentinel network for early detection of pest
• Create a better network between citizen scientist and land managers