By:

Heron Elliott Biologist Instructor for Aquatic and Right of Way classes for State of Florida Certification Licensed Right

of way, Aquatics, Limited – Master Naturalist

Why do surveys, map and identify invasive plants

The survey should be as thorough as possible to obtain an accurate analysis of

quantities present. Accurate surveys will be the major component for determining the effectiveness of management practices.

Proper identification of invasive plants is essential to surveying and mapping. Once the plant has been properly identified we need to know how much of it is present in the target area. This will allow the manager to determine the proper level of management for it.

The most efficient means of conducting the survey should be used. When conducting vegetative surveys over a large area we use a GPS coordinating

system. We locate the area (either on a map or by going to it physically) then use the GPS to mark the area. We record the longitude and latitude. We can also store it as a waypoint on the GPS for future reference.

Once the data is collected it is transferred to a spread sheet. This spread sheet is used to track treatments, chemicals used, locations and other pertinent information.

What is the best way to conduct a Survey? We have found that the best way to conduct a survey is get feet on the ground or

people in the air. Start out with a hard map of the area. Divide the area into quadrants or a grid. Assign a quad or grid to each surveyor. They will then go to the assigned quad and using the GPS mark the long and lat where they observed the target. They will also assign a percentage of coverage to that quadrant or grid. Based on the data gathered from the survey the manager can determine the treatment level and where to start with control. When previous surveys have been performed the surveyor needs to tell if this is new or old infestation. Special colors should be used for new and old infestation when marking the map. This will show the rate of spread.

Sample survey form DATE TARGET

SPECIES LONG LAT % OBSERVED LANDMARK COMMENTS

The comments box should state new or old growth and if this is the first time that the plant was observed in this area.

EXPRESSWAY INVASIVE SPECIES INVENTORY AND TREATMENT CONTROL LOG

Label Unique ID Status (New/Survey/Retreat/ Controlled)

Facility Direction County

Latitude Longitude Location Description Area (ft2) Adjacent Property Infested ? (Y/N)

Type of Chemical Adjuvant Used % of Solution New Date Treated Date Retreat 1 Date Treated 1 Date Retreat 2 Date Treated 2 Date Retreat 3 Date treated 3 Date Survey Year 1 (Period 1)

Date Survey Year 1 (Period 2)

Date Survey Year 2 Date Controlled Comments

4-0001 4-0001 SURVEY SR570 EB POLK

28.01150 -82.0266 TURF AREA 15120 NO GLYPHOSATE COHERE 2.5% 04/01/2011 04/01/2011 01/26/2012 01/26/2012 06/01/2012 06/01/2012 04/08/2013 10/14/2013 02/06/2014 COGON GRASS

4-0002 4-0002 SURVEY SR570 EB POLK

28.01080 -82.0246 TURF AREA 620 NO GLYPHOSATE COHERE 2.5% 04/01/2011 04/01/2011 06/12/2012 04/29/2013 02/06/2014 COGON GRASS

4-0003 4-0003 SURVEY SR570 EB POLK

28.01080 -82.0246 FRONT BERM 407 NO GLYPHOSATE COHERE 2.5% 04/01/2011 04/01/2011 06/12/2012 04/29/2013 02/06/2014 COGON GRASS

4-0004 4-0004 SURVEY SR570 EB POLK

28.00980 -82.0214 FENCE LINE 252 NO GLYPHOSATE COHERE 2.5% 04/01/2011 04/01/2011 06/12/2012 04/29/2013 02/06/2014 COGON GRASS

4-0005 4-0005 SURVEY SR570 EB POLK

28.00570 -82.0098 FENCE LINE 275 YES GLYPHOSATE COHERE 2.5% 04/01/2011 04/01/2011 01/26/2012 01/26/2012 06/01/2012 06/01/2012 04/08/2013 10/14/2013 02/06/2014 COGON GRASS

4-0006 4-0006 SURVEY SR570 EB POLK

27.99520 -81.9356 SLOPE 260 YES GLYPHOSATE COHERE 2.5% 04/01/2011 04/01/2011 01/26/2012 01/26/2012 06/01/2012 04/29/2013 02/06/2014 COGON GRASS

4-0007 4-0007 SURVEY SR570 EB POLK

27.99610 -81.9278 TURF AREA 1134 NO GLYPHOSATE COHERE 2.5% 04/01/2011 04/01/2011 01/26/2012 01/26/2012 06/01/2012 07/30/2012 04/08/2013 10/14/2013 02/06/2014 COGON GRASS

4-0008 4-0008 SURVEY SR570 EB POLK

27.99630 -81.9167 FENCE LINE 6359 YES GLYPHOSATE COHERE 2.5% 04/01/2011 04/01/2011 01/26/2012 01/26/2012 06/01/2012 07/30/2012 04/08/2013 10/14/2013 02/06/2014 COGON GRASS

4-0009 4-0009 SURVEY SR570 EB POLK

27.99640 -81.916 DITCH LINE 192 YES GLYPHOSATE COHERE 2.5% 04/01/2011 04/01/2011 01/26/2012 01/26/2012 06/01/2012 07/30/2012 04/08/2013 10/14/2013 02/06/2014 COGON GRASS

4-0010 4-0010 SURVEY SR570 EB POLK

27.99640 -81.9156 DITCH LINE 574 YES GLYPHOSATE COHERE 2.5% 04/01/2011 04/01/2011 01/26/2012 01/26/2012 06/12/2012 04/29/2013 02/06/2014 COGON GRASS

4-0011 4-0011 SURVEY SR570 EB POLK

27.99640 -81.9154 DITCH LINE 198 YES GLYPHOSATE COHERE 2.5% 04/01/2011 04/01/2011 01/26/2012 01/26/2012 06/01/2012 07/30/2012 04/08/2013 10/14/2013 02/06/2014 COGON GRASS

4-0012 4-0012 SURVEY SR570 EB POLK

27.99700 -81.9102 FENCE LINE 2296 YES GLYPHOSATE COHERE 2.5% 04/01/2011 04/01/2011 01/26/2012 01/26/2012 06/01/2012 07/30/2012 04/08/2013 10/14/2013 02/06/2014 COGON GRASS

4-0013 4-0013 SURVEY SR570 EB POLK

28.00630 -81.8866 TURF AREA 15480 NO GLYPHOSATE COHERE 2.5% 04/01/2011 04/01/2011 01/26/2012 01/26/2012 06/01/2012 07/30/2012 04/08/2013 10/14/2013 02/06/2014 COGON GRASS

4-0014 4-0014 SURVEY SR570 EB POLK

28.00920 -81.89 DITCH LINE 18888 YES GLYPHOSATE COHERE 2.5% 04/01/2011 04/01/2011 01/26/2012 01/26/2012 06/01/2012 04/29/2013 02/06/2014 COGON GRASS

4-0015 4-0015 SURVEY SR570 EB POLK

28.00950 -81.8703 TURF AREA 13880 NO GLYPHOSATE COHERE 2.5% 04/01/2011 04/01/2011 01/26/2012 01/26/2012 06/01/2012 07/30/2012 04/08/2013 10/14/2013 02/06/2014 COGON GRASS

4-0016 4-0016 SURVEY SR570 EB POLK

28.01030 -81.8541 FRONT BERM 1248 NO GLYPHOSATE COHERE 2.5% 04/01/2011 04/01/2011 01/26/2012 01/26/2012 06/01/2012 07/30/2012 04/08/2013 10/14/2013 02/06/2014 COGON GRASS

4-0017 4-0017 SURVEY SR570 EB POLK

28.02820 -81.8318 FENCE LINE 7588 NO GLYPHOSATE COHERE 2.5% 04/01/2011 04/01/2011 01/26/2012 01/26/2012 06/01/2012 07/30/2012 04/08/2013 10/14/2013 02/06/2014 COGON GRASS

4-0018 4-0018 SURVEY SR570 EB POLK

28.03530 -81.8318 FENCE LINE 3375 NO GLYPHOSATE COHERE 2.5% 04/01/2011 04/01/2011 06/12/2012 04/29/2013 02/06/2014 COGON GRASS

Mapping services

Once the area has been surveyed and the coordinates have been submitted then the original map should be marked to show locations where the target has been found. This is where the color coded new and old infestation markers come in. At this point the manager can clearly see the direction(s) of movement of the target.

Map showing old and new infestations.

Dark blue is new infestation Light blue is old infestation

Identify resources

Employees

Private licensed applicators

Volunteers

Work release prisoners

Equipment available for use

Identify best method for removal

Hand removal Use to control small infestations.

Mechanical removal Use to control large infestations over large open areas.

Burning Use to control large infestations over large inaccessible areas.

Chemical control Use to control large infestations.

Set up a time schedule for plan

This plan should be implemented ASAP. It should be implemented prior to start of growing season.

The attack plan should be to hit the areas that have the least amount of infestation first. The reason for this is the spread of the invasive can be slowed since it has not taken over the area. These areas will have the newest growth in them and thus will be easier to bring under control while retarding the spread of the invasive.

Depending on the growth cycle and resources available the manager should attack the invasive at the earliest stage of the lifecycle as possible.

Select a manager for plan The manager should be someone

who is a certified applicator. If one is not available then it should be someone that is able to identify invasive plants and problems before they get out of hand.

In this case we recommend that only a State Certified Applicator be used.

Implement the program

The program should be implemented as soon as possible. It should be done prior to start of growing season. This will keep the invasive vegetation to a minimum and allow less chemicals to be used. The least amount of chemical that is possible at the lowest possible concentration. This will allow the applicator to make sure that plants do not develop resistance to the chemicals. We also suggest that a tracker dye be used. This will make sure that the target plants are hit with sufficient amounts of herbicide

Evaluate effectiveness of plan

This will allow the evaluator to make an accurate assessment of the program.

This is a very important step in the process. If an evaluation is not done then the program will have limited success.

When dealing with invasive plants we must be diligent and persistent. Failure to do so will only make matters worse.

Record results

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1st Qtr 2nd Qtr 3rd Qtr 4th Qtr

East

West

North

South

Credits

Thanks to Carlina van der Hoop-Elliott for administrative work

Photos by Heron and Carlina van der Hoop-Elliott