Invasive Species Monitoring
Invasive Species Monitoring
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Invasive Species Monitoring collects data on invasive plants, insects, diseases, wildlife in order to control their spread and estimate future impacts.
Invasive Species Monitoring collects data on invasive plants, insects, diseases, wildlife in order to control their spread and estimate future impacts.
What is an invasive species?
What is an invasive species?
An invasive species is an organism that comes from somewhere else (on accident or on purpose) whose presence disturbs the ecosystem-it often takes over or breaks the food web!
Goals of Invasive Species Monitoring:
Goals of Invasive Species Monitoring:
- Track the presence and spread of invasive organisms.
- Alert those who can take action when a new invasive species is found in an area.
- Create a national network of invasive species and pest distribution data that is shared with educators, land managers, conservation biologists, and beyond.
Why should you care?
Why should you care?
Invasives have an Impact!
Invasives have an Impact!
Invasive species are incredibly destructive to ecosystems. If left unchecked, they can create major disruptions to habitats, wildlife, and communities by:
Invasive species are incredibly destructive to ecosystems. If left unchecked, they can create major disruptions to habitats, wildlife, and communities by:
- Disrupting food chains and food webs for native animals
- Reducing biodiversity
- Causing states millions of dollars in invasive removal efforts
- Outcompeting and killing native plant and animal populations
Did you know?
Did you know?
The Great Lakes ecosystem (where you live) has been severely damaged by more than 180 invasive and non-native species!
The Great Lakes ecosystem (where you live) has been severely damaged by more than 180 invasive and non-native species!
Are there invasive species in my neighborhood?
Are there invasive species in my neighborhood?
Yes! Whether or not you live in the city, suburbs, or countryside, the impact of these pests is visible.
Yes! Whether or not you live in the city, suburbs, or countryside, the impact of these pests is visible.
For example, ash trees used to one of the most common trees until an invasive beetle called the emerald ash borer destroyed ash tree populations all over the US.
For example, ash trees used to one of the most common trees until an invasive beetle called the emerald ash borer destroyed ash tree populations all over the US.
Some common invasives found in Northwest Indiana
Some common invasives found in Northwest Indiana
Oriental Bittersweet
Zebra Mussel
Garlic Mustard
Sea Lamprey
We live in a special spot!
We live in a special spot!
Northwest Indiana is one of the most special & biodiverse (different living organisms) areas in the world!
Northwest Indiana is one of the most special & biodiverse (different living organisms) areas in the world!
This area is part of a larger crossroads of trains, ships, cars, trucks, and planes traveling through the country carrying goods and people.
This area is part of a larger crossroads of trains, ships, cars, trucks, and planes traveling through the country carrying goods and people.
Invasive species often get stuck in cargo from other places and are released in our ecosystems.
Invasive species often get stuck in cargo from other places and are released in our ecosystems.
Other times, exotic plants from unmonitored gardens or exotic pets escape from their homes and make it into the wild.
Other times, exotic plants from unmonitored gardens or exotic pets escape from their homes and make it into the wild.
Check out the Indiana Department of Natural Resources page on invasive organisms currently in Indiana here!
Check out the Indiana Department of Natural Resources page on invasive organisms currently in Indiana here!
Who Runs Invasive Species Monitoring?
Who Runs Invasive Species Monitoring?
Data from the project is sent to the Early Detection and Distribution Mapping System.
Data from the project is sent to the Early Detection and Distribution Mapping System.
EDDMaps was launched by the Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health at the University of Georgia in 2005.
EDDMaps was launched by the Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health at the University of Georgia in 2005.
How Do I Participate?
How Do I Participate?
Students will identify and report invasive species around their area!
Students will identify and report invasive species around their area!
You can collect data such as date, amount of area invaded, habitat, abundance, GPS location, and upload photos.
You can collect data such as date, amount of area invaded, habitat, abundance, GPS location, and upload photos.
You must be able to identify invasive species and their locations to create an accurate report.
You must be able to identify invasive species and their locations to create an accurate report.
Don't worry, we have digital guides that can help you!
Don't worry, we have digital guides that can help you!
There are no time or frequency requirements.
There are no time or frequency requirements.
You can find invasives and submit data whenever you have the chance!
You can find invasives and submit data whenever you have the chance!
How is my data used?
How is my data used?
~EDDMapS shares information with educators, scientists, conservation officers, biologists, and more!
~EDDMapS shares information with educators, scientists, conservation officers, biologists, and more!
~The data allows for better understanding invasive species movement and distribution around the world.
~The data allows for better understanding invasive species movement and distribution around the world.
~ Data can be used support cases for new regulations that protect our habitat.
~ Data can be used support cases for new regulations that protect our habitat.
~New data helps in early detection of invasives allowing for prevention of spread and eliminating possible catastrophe!
~New data helps in early detection of invasives allowing for prevention of spread and eliminating possible catastrophe!
Project Perks
Project Perks
Invasive Species Monitoring gives you the opportunity to explore outside whenever you like.
Invasive Species Monitoring gives you the opportunity to explore outside whenever you like.
This project gives vital data to scientists that are helping track and stop the spread of invasive species in Northwest Indiana and beyond.
This project gives vital data to scientists that are helping track and stop the spread of invasive species in Northwest Indiana and beyond.
Data can be entered easily-even on a smartphone.
Data can be entered easily-even on a smartphone.
Fast Notes
Fast Notes
- Many different species of invasive species can be found in Northwest Indiana.
- Invasive species, if left unchecked, create major disruptions to habitats, wildlife, and communities.
- EDDMaps tracks the presence of various invasive plants, animals, aquatics, bugs, and diseases.
- EDDMaps was launched by the Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health at the University of Georgia.
- This project allows you to collect data whenever and wherever you want, without any restrictions.
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