Map the Spread!

Visit our new CalWeedMapper site for details on how to be a part of Mapping the Spread!

CalWeedMapper enables natural resource managers, scientists and others to: create maps and reports of invasive plant distribution, identify management opportunities in a county, WMA or region or update species distribution data.

Cal-IPC Current (2010-2012) Projects

Cal-IPC has three interrelated projects with the goal to improve geospatial information about invasive plants throughout California:

1. Map Current Distribution

Cal-IPC is working to compile weed distribution data for all species on the Cal-IPC Inventory by USGS (7.5') quadrangle. We are meeting with botanists, land managers, and local experts to map their knowledge about invasive plant distribution in their area. These statewide maps will assist local and regional land managers in identifying early detections and prioritizing treatments.

2. Model Future Suitable Range

Based on mapped distribution, GIS data (points, lines, polygons), and environmental layers (e.g. Bioclim) we are creating predictive models showing the suitable range for invasive plants in California with and without climate change. We are using a free software called Maxent to predict the suitable range for a subset of our Inventory plants with climate change in the Sierras. This is a follow-up to our 2006-2008 project.

3. Aggregate Data

Together with our partners at Calflora, BAEDN, and the Sonoma Ecology Center, we are developing an advanced online system that will allow broad stakeholder participation in our mapping efforts.

• Cal-IPC mapping brochure

We encourage users to submit single weed observations or entire GIS datasets to Calflora. This data will improve our mapping efforts. In return, land managers will be able to view, share, download, and analyze very detailed spatial weed data. Distribution mapping and modeling are powerful tools to identify areas that are most vulnerable to new invasions. This will help land managers prioritize detection and containment activities and win funding. Data aggregation can identify rapid response targets and will provide information to support range modeling, and over time, aggregated data will provide more detailed distribution data for each species.

There are three easy ways to submit data:

• Mark your data on Calflora’s online map
• Upload your organization's GIS datasets
• Send observations from your smart phone

Advanced user? Investigate additional weed mapping tools.

For more information, contact mapping@cal-ipc.org

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