Using EDDMapS to Map Invasive Plants

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Are you planning a stewardship or invasive plant control project in New Hampshire? Use EDDMapS on your computer, smartphone or tablet to map invasive plants and record your control efforts. EDDMapS also has information about invasive plant species, distribution, and identification tips.

About EDDMapS

EDDMapS combines data from many sources to create a national network of invasive species distribution data that is shared with researchers, educators, land managers, conservation biologists, and other interested citizens. This data will become the foundation for a better understanding of invasive species distribution around the world. The more people in New Hampshire reporting invasive plant occurrences, the better chance we have of understanding and controlling their spread.

How to Use EDDMapS on Your Computer

1. Explore the Website

Visit www.eddmaps.org to explore the website. Check out the Distribution Maps menu to view maps of different invasives in your area. Explore the Plants button, and view maps by clicking on individual species. Use the “Points” tab under each species to view individual observations near you. Note the information provided for each record (Name, Organizational Affiliation, Date of Observation). When you record sightings, your equivalent information will also be shown in this way.

2. Create an Account

This will be used for logging in from your computer or from your mobile device (smartphone or tablet). Click on the Register button at top right. Fill out the registration information, creating a password for yourself. When you report observations on EDDMapS, your name will be visible to others. This is important to ensure reliability of sightings (observations with photos are confirmed and approved by local experts).

3. Once you are registered, use the Sign In button, also at top right.

4. Report an Invasive Plant

Click on the Report Sightings tab on top menu. Click on Plants from the options, then click on the state where your observation occurs. Fill out the form, Report an Invasive Plant Occurrence. You can search for your species using either the common name or scientific name. Required fields include: Species Name, Observation Date, State, and County. To create the most useful and valuable data, please include a photo of your sighting using the Upload Image feature. If you do, your observation will be verified by local experts and categorized as high quality data. Click Submit Report to log your sighting.

5. Record Management Activity

To record management activity on a previously reported sighting, navigate to an existing record and click on Revisit Record at upper right. Fill out the form, using the Treatment designation. This will link your management activity with previous sightings records.

How to Use EDDMapS on Your Phone

The EDDMapS app is a tool for contributing new invasive plant observations. The app does not show existing EDDMapS observations (made by you or others) in the past. These are best viewed on the EDDMapS website on your computer.

1. Register for an EDDMapS account before downloading the app, and be sure to have your EDDMapS username and password available to use with the app.
2. Download the (free) EDDMapS Pro app onto your device, available in your app store.
3. Once downloaded, click on the EDDMapS app icon and login using your EDDMapS login name and password.

4. Report an Invasive Plant

Click on the green plus button at bottom right. Choose one of the location options (Use My Location for if you are standing at the sighting, Draw a Polygon to report a large infestation, Drop a Marker to report a point other than where you are currently located). Touch the map to drop a point or draw a polygon (this is a rough estimate which may be fine tuned later). Press green arrow at bottom right and choose Done. Complete the form with all known information about your sighting. To edit the location, click on the small map icon which allows for greater point precision using zoom. Click Save at bottom right corner (this saves information to your device, but information needs to uploaded later in order to be submitted to EDDMapS). Repeat these steps for multiple sightings or species.

5. Upload Invasive Plant Sightings

Uploading is best achieved using wi-fi or strong internet connection. Click on three lines at top left corner of app (you’ll see red numbers for sightings that need to be uploaded). Click on Upload Queue. Click on Actions at upper right. Select each observation you want to upload and click Upload in bottom right hand corner.

6. Deleting Observations in the app

Using the app, you can only delete observations that have not yet been uploaded. Click on three lines at top left corner of app. Click on Upload Queue. Swipe left on any observations you wish to delete and click Delete.

Download the Resources for the full instructions.

Contact

Malin Clyde

Extension State Specialist, Community Volunteers

Charlotte Thompson

Stewardship Outreach Program Manager