Invasive Plant Mapping

The Invasive Spartina Project uses aerial photography and GIS to monitor treatment of cordgrass in San Francisco Bay.

Mapping invasive plant populations is critical for strategic management and monitoring. It is also essential for effective early detection. Knowing where a plant currently grows is the foundation for knowing where to survey for new occurrences.

Map the Spread!

Cal-IPC is undertaking a statewide invasive plant mapping initiative, working with local land managers to develop detailed presence/absence maps of each species based on expert opinion. We are also collecting GIS datasets from collaborating organizations. The end product will be an online mapping tool that supports strategic restoration planning. This is being coordinated with emerging regional and national systems. Visit our Map the Spread site to learn more about this initiative.

Statewide Risk Mapping

Our risk mapping combines statewide distribution of a given species with suitability modeling for that species to show where the plant is most likely to spread. The data collected through the Map the Spread intiative will increase the resolution of our risk mapping. Maps for 200 species can be accessed from our risk mapping page.

Sierra Nevada Regional Priorities

This report presents statewide risk maps and priority management recommendations for 43 invasive plant species selected to be of special importance for the Sierra Nevada region of California. Maps include current distribution, suitable range in 2010, and projected suitable range for 2050. Recommendations include priority eradication, containment, and surveillance opportunities for each Weed Management Area in the region. .

Arundo Mapping

In 2007, Cal-IPC began mapping Arundo donax (giant reed) in coastal watersheds from the Monterey Bay area south to the Mexican border. Arundo has a major impact on these watersheds, and the state has undertaken extensive removal efforts along the Santa Ana River. These detailed maps provide land managers in the region with information they need to plan similar projects. In addition, the project endeavors to quantify impacts on these watersheds by combining impact metrics with spatial extent. Maps and GIS data can be accessed from our Arundo mapping page.

Mapping Resources

California Weed Mapping Handbook - Contains background on mapping strategies, and data standards adapted from national standards developed by the National Association of Weed Management Areas.

GeoWeed - Mapping database system for GPS/GIS integration maintained by the Sonoma Ecology Center.

Bay Area Early Detection Network (BAEDN) - Collaborative regional effort to identify and treat high-priority early detection targets.

California Dept. of Fish & Game's BIOS - Statewide database and mapper for a range of biological data.

iMap Invasives - Project to create a national network of invasive species GIS.

EDDMapS - Project to support early detection mapping nationwide.

Cal-Atlas - The first place to look for California GIS layers.

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