Investigating Modern Uses of GIS in Invasive Species Management

Annotated Bibliography

Joshi C. De Leeuw J, van Duren IC. 2004, July. Remote sensing and GIS applications for mapping and spatial modeling of invasive species. In Proceedings of ISPRS (Vol. 35, p. B7).

Non-native species invasions are a major concern to the sustainability of ecosystem functions and services. Prior to 2004, GIS has long been recognized as a capable mechanism that can be used to map invader distribution or assess risk associated with a particular assessment area. GIS could serve as a synthesis tool to be used for the prevention, intervention, and control of invasive species introductions and establishment events. This article delves into the possibility of using remote sensing and GIS in mapping and predicting potential invasive species’ distribution. Four categories were used to delineate the invasive species depending on whether the species is present and dominate the ecosystem canopy or not. The author argues that applying the remote sensing and GIS techniques is dependent on the category. The author also demonstrated that the remote sensing system techniques have been mostly applied to canopy dominant species. However, this is contrary to ecological databases, which reveal that most invasive species do not occupy the canopy. Lastly, the article reviews the potential to map non-canopy invaders and mapping techniques used to assess the risk of invasion in non-invaded areas. Remote sensing seems to be the limiting factor of the time.

Holcombe T, Stohlgren TJ, Jarnevich C. 2007. Invasive species management and research using GIS.

In the late 1980’s and early 1990’s, the various applications of GIS technology were quickly becoming acknowledged. During the late 1990’s and early 2000’s, this was particularly true for invasive species management. The revolutionary technology could map the distribution of plants, animals, and diseases. GIS was further utilized for early detection and to quickly assess the invasiveness of a species. Herein, the authors utilized GIS programs to further investigate the patterns associated with species richness and invasion patterns of fish in the United States. Additionally, the author made maps to document the potential spread of Bufo marinus in the southeastern United States. Such maps can be utilized by management to efficiently target field surveys to areas that are most susceptible to invasion. The article also promotes the use of the National Institute of Invasive Species Science (www.NIISS.org) to follow modern advances associated with GIS technology and techniques. The website promotes sharing and analyzing data in a forum setting.

Wang XH, Liu YJ, Guo LN. 2014. The invasive species risk assessment and prediction system based on GIS. In Applied Mechanics and Materials (Vol. 675, pp. 1052-1057). Trans Tech Publications Ltd.

The author provides a theoretical framework for the management of invasive species. The GIS-based framework was developed with the desire to better prevent and control the introduction of potentially invasive species. Mapping the potential distribution of invasive species provides a basis for assessing risk, which can be utilized by management to better understand the necessary requirements to properly prevent and mitigate invasions, while reducing the related economic loss. The study continued with a follow-up development using components of GIS. The specialized niche model was used to analyze the potential distribution of non-native species in China. A risk assessment was then conducted. The model accuracy was assessed by applying a characteristic curve to determine prediction accuracy. The impact of the distribution of non-native species was analyzed according to common environmental variables. This work provided a theoretical starting point for the ecological management of invasive species via risk assessment.

Liang L, Clark JT, Kong N. Rieske LK, Fei S. 2014. Spatial analysis facilitates invasive species risk assessment. Forest Ecology and Manage

The development of quantitative invasiveness risk analyses is necessary on a regional scale in order to rapidly detect and respond effectively to mitigate the increased spread of invasive species. In 2014, the authors condemned the qualitative nature of risk assessments. Additionally, the author pointed out that these assessments typically only take place when absolutely necessary, rather than used preventatively. This study utilized a framework based on spatial statistics to better understand the invasion of risks associated with Adelges tsugae. Invasion probability using maximum entropy and Mahalanobis distance that were related to A. tsugae infiltration locations, as well as a set of environmental and human-related factors, to predict invasion likelihood. A grouping of the two previously mentioned models and a multiple threshold rationale were applied to minimize prediction uncertainty. Additionally, particular spot analysis was applied to improve invasion prevention and management making decisions. A notably important factor which inadvertently aided in the proliferation and spread of A. tsugae was attributed to corridor pathways, such as railroads, roadways, and trails. This study further exhibited the possibility of conducting quantitative risk assessments in localized regions by using a framework based in spatial statistics. This approach can be used proactively to prevent and manage invasion events.

Ecker JK, Raben R, Simpson G. 2020. Use of GIS to Determine Potential Sources of Aquatic Invasive Species Invasions into Western South Dakota Reservoirs. Natural Resources, 11(02):39.

The presence of Aquatic invasive species presents a continuous threat of invasion for water bodies located within the western United States. The continued detection of Dreissena polymorpha in South Dakota has led efforts to prevent further expansion. Ecker et al. (2020) utilized GIS to detect possible routes of D. polymorpha expansion by utilizing the documented zip codes of recreational boaters who use at least one of four western reservoirs. High risk areas were identified by determining a 60-mile buffer zone that determined the spatial relationship between boater zip codes and established D. polymorpha populations. The authors’ results exhibit possible pathways for D. polymorpha to continue expanding westward. Furthermore, these results show that infestations can continue to expand from a singular location into non-infested bodies of water. Ecker et al. (2020) suggest that prevention is key to slowing the continued spread, along with the placement of decontamination stations, continued public engagement and awareness efforts, and developing a boat registration system that can differentiate boat registration tags from watercraft that are located near bodies of water infested with D. polymorpha.

Davidson AD, Fusaro AJ, Kashian DR. 2015. Using a novel spatial tool to inform invasive species early detection and rapid response efforts. Environmental management, 56(1):54-65.

The necessity for early detection and rapid response mechanisms are increasingly emphasized by invasive species management. Programs of this standard limit the introductions, impacts, and establishment of invasive species. A better understanding of species spatial interactions and transport vectors are required to precisely target monitoring sites and to properly disperse resources. However, management frequently lacks the necessary data to make such decisions. Davidson et al. (2015) created a mapping tool to further facilitate the growth of early detection and rapid response programs by identifying high-risk regions within recreational boating vectors. To determine these regions, boaters were surveyed in order to identify the bodies of water that they visited and to attempt to quantify actions that could proliferate species transfer during the trip in question. High-risk bodies of water were identified based on inbound and outbound boater behavior using GIS. The study also determined that boater behavior can act as an indicator of additional risk (e.g. the number of boating trips per boater). The authors noted that the number of boating trips alone is not sufficient to represent the likelihood of invasion. For now, this tool can be utilized as supplemental information and may be applied to a broad range of taxa and different geographical situations.

Vander Zanden, M.J. and Olden, J.D., 2008. A management framework for preventing the secondary spread of aquatic invasive species. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, 65(7):1512-1522.

Vander Zanden and Olden (2008) describe modern advances in the forecasting ability of the secondary spread of aquatic invasive species. In order to assess the invasion vulnerability of inland water bodies, three components of invasions were categorized: adverse impact, site suitability, and colonization. Ecological niche modeling was projected as a layer onto landscape maps within GIS, in order to identify sites that are considered to be habitable or inhabitable to a potentially invasive species. The authors found that only a select amount of lakes are susceptible to specific invasive species, as opposed to a broad range of invasive species. Therefore, this specific GIS application could improve select invasive species management techniques. To be more effective, more research targeting the assessment of site vulnerability to invasion must be translated into management tools.

Sanders S, Castiglione C, Hoff MH. 2018. Risk Assessment Mapping Program: RAMP. US Fish and Wildlife Service. USGS (US Geological Survey). 2018. Diaphanosoma fluviatile. USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database, Gainesville, Florida.

The United States Fish and Wildlife Service developed an invasive species climate matching supplement using GIS. The mapping tool utilizes the geographic distribution of a species in order to predict the vulnerability of a selected risk assessment area for the present of future time periods. This tool is utilized by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to perform risk assessments for nonnative aquatic taxa. This has been a large component of my graduate capstone project. It is utilized as a climate supplement, but also as a means to answer climate matching questions related to a rapid risk screening.

Jacobs MJ, Macisaac HJ. 2009. Modeling spread of the invasive macrophyte Cabomba caroliniana. Freshwater Biology, 54(2):296-305.

Jacobs and Macisaac (2009) determined that in order to predict the spread of non-native species, one must understand where propagules are arriving from. Additionally, the propagules must be able to survive within the new habitat and recipient community of new organisms. Using these methods, the spread of Cambomba caroliniana was modeled for Ontario, Canada.Propagule pressure included anthropogenic influenced dispersal and habitat compatibility was determined using local and global data sets and boosted regression trees. The study found that invasion risk differed based on the combination of approaches utilized. The lakes that were determined to be the most at risk of invasion were selected because of a combination of factors (e.g. boater usage, water movement from source locations, environmental vulnerability). Mean lake temperature, dissolved calcium concentration, and pH were the best indicators of lake susceptibility. The study concluded that hundreds of lakes in Ontario may be at risk of invasion by C. caroliniana. Yet another study exhibiting that the creation of a generalized risk assessment is not always feasible and may miss certain parameters, such as calcium concentrations. This measurement has less of an impact on other taxa, but may be crucial for determining the likelihood of invasion for organisms that are more dependent on calcium concentrations and vice versa.

DAR (Hawaii Division of Aquatic Resources). 2020. Moku Ridge to Reef. https://files.hawaii.gov/dbedt/op/gis/data/moku_ridge_to_reef_dar.pdf (March 2022).

Moku, or mountain, Ridge to Reef data was developed for public use by the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of Aquatic Resources. The Moku Ridge Reef data is a feature layer exhibiting the mountain boundaries that extend 3 miles past the shoreline and out into the ocean. The feature layer was created for the purpose of collecting organized data relating to marine, freshwater, and estuary survey data collected using GIS.

Marine Protected Areas. ND. Hawaii Coastal Use Mapping Project. https://marineprotectedareas.noaa.gov/dataanalysis/hi_coastal_use/ (March 2022).

The Hawaii Coastal Use Mapping Project was designed with the purpose of improving ocean management by collecting environmental impact data based on human shoreline usage in the Kawaihae-Keahole districts of Hawaii Island. The project utilizes publicly accessible layers. The outcome has been an all-inclusive and spatially clear image of nearshore use by residents and visitors that can be utilized by management, policymakers, and other related stakeholders. The project created spatial data and map illustration patterns by using basic GIS applications. Intensity and qualitative information on recreational use was also collected. The resulting database exhibits ocean use patterns on a localized, yet almost broad scale, which is ideal for planning and informed management decisions. The Nature Conservancy and the Hawaii Division of Aquatic Resources will use the data to work with local stakeholders in resource management. 

Azzurro E, Cerri J. 2021. Participatory mapping of invasive species: A demonstration in a coastal lagoon. Marine Policy, 126:104412.

Azzurro and Cerri (2021) created and deployed a participatory means to map the distribution of three different invasive species of tree in Lesina, Italy. The participants, local fishermen, were given pre-printed maps and asked to draw the distribution of each species of tree along the lagoon’s shoreline. The printed maps were converted into a lattice grid and a Bayesian hierarchical Generalized Additive Modeling was utilized to model distribution within the lagoon. Distributions that were agreed upon by the fishermen were considered. New metrics were developed to properly evaluate the local ecological knowledge collected via survey, in order to form an agreement and consistent application among experts. 

Thamaga KH, Dube T. 2018. Testing two methods for mapping water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) in the Greater Letaba river system, South Africa: discrimination and mapping potential of the polar-orbiting Sentinel-2 MSI and Landsat 8 OLI sensors. International journal of remote sensing, 39(22):8041-8059.

Thamaga and Dube (2018) tested two different methodologies for mapping the path of Eichhornia crassipes (water hyacinth) throughout the Greater Letaba river system in South Africa. The experiment tested the discrimination and mapping potential of the Sentinel-2 MSI and Landsat 8 OLI sensors. The mapping was done on GIS. The study concluded that E. crassipes can be mapped within small river systems with an accuracy of 68.44% and 77.56% for each respective sensor. This study brings awareness to new noncommercial multispectral sensory technologies that can be utilized in the monitoring of aquatic invasive species within inland waters, particularly within water reservoirs in areas such as Kauai, Hawaii.

Hulme PE. 2009. Trade, transport and trouble: managing invasive species pathways in an era of globalization. Journal of applied ecology, 46(1):10-18.

A shift in the magnitude and diversity of non-native species introductions and invasions can be attributed to Globalization. As transport and trade continues to increase, so do the unintentionally introductions of non-native species linked to such pathways. Modern attempts to model introduction pathways have primarily concentrated on describing the potential for invasion. The author provided a GIS mapping example pertaining to a tunicate. In order to generate a risk map for the tunicate, the author first determined the importance of each vector and pathway, quantified the spatial dynamics for each vector, estimated habitat suitability for the species being assessed, and computed the connectivity of various nodes within the specific transport network.

Price JP, Gon III SM, Jacobi JD, Matsuwaki D. 2007. Mapping plant species ranges in the Hawaiian Islands: Developing a methodology and associated GIS layers. Microsoft Word – Final+-+Price+et+al+-+Species+Modeling+TR Edit.doc (hawaii.edu).

Price et al. (2007) details the methodology followed in order to project the geographic ranges of native and non-native plant species within Hawaii. Essentially, this methodology requires the creation of several data layers that are utilized to show and describe mapped attributes related to the geographic influences on plant ranges. Climate data is one example of a geographic parameter used. Other important layers that were utilized include substrate age, biogeographical region, and depictions of anthropogenic impact. Aside from further studying biodiversity and conservation planning, this same mapping format can be utilized for invasive species management programs.