Innovative Tools for the Transfer of Invasive Species Management Technology Michael J. Grodowitz U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center Vicksburg, MS 39180

Invasive Species Management Biology Ecology Distribution Problems Laws and regulations Management options –Biological –Chemical –Mechanical Sampling methodologies And on, and on and on………………..

Sources of Information Technical publications Journal articles Reports Orally –Meetings –Personal communications Posters Books Internet And on, and on, and on……………….

What is an information system? PC-based Operate under Windows ® Allows for efficient and rapid access Distributed using CD’s Connects to web for rapid/easy updates and access Highly interactive Use a variety of different formats –Text –Photo’s –Hyper-linked text –Identification programming –Video All in one location…

Current Invasive Species Information Systems Noxious and Nuisance Plant Management Information System –PMIS –Version 5.3 Aquatic Plant Information System –APIS –Version 3.0 Zebra Mussel Information System –ZMIS –Version 2.0

PMIS – Version plant species Close to 25,000 copies Variety of users All habitat types –Terrestrial –Aquatic –Wetland Information –Biology –Ecology –Identification –Problems –Management –SNPPLIS –Web links Official TIM - AFPMB

APIS – Version plant species Over 15,000 copies Variety of users Habitat types –Aquatic –Wetland Models –Amur –Mechanical Harvesting Information –Biology –Ecology –Identification –Problems –Management –Web links

Information System Demonstration

Revisions PMIS –Version 6.0 Legacy funding (DoD) 40 new species Full revision Expected completion – March 2007 –Version 6.6 (Enhancements) New Legacy funding (2007) Expected Completion (2008/2009) APIS –Version 4.0 Partial funding from APCRP (2006) Full revision APIS Mobile Beta Additional funding (2007)

Revisions Use of Video

Revisions Online identification system shell –Identification only in CD versions –Almost completed –Easily adaptable Relational database format –Online and CD versions Easily shared Flexibility Rapidly updated

New Projects Online Invasive Species Inventory System – ISIS –Legacy Funding –DoD Use –Invasive species survey information –Sharable across installations –Standard sampling protocols –Mapping (future) –Fully integrated with PMIS –Expected completion Partial Full

New Projects Decision support systems –Aquatic plant revegetation –Site/cage/plant selection –Multi-attribute analysis –Uncertainties Plant Dispersal Information System –Cleaning information –Plant specific dispersal mechanisms –Incorporation into PMIS ZMIS to ANSIS –Other invasive fauna –Birds, frogs, fish, other invertebrates

New Projects Mobile Information Systems –Hand-held and extremely portable –Remote access to information PDA’s Smart Phones –Windows Mobile Operating System –Secure Digital Card Currently 128 mb Capacities – over 1 gb –Relational database structure Efficient access Filtering of information Easily updated –Tied-in to online and desktop systems –APIS/PMIS –Other uses Medical entomology Pest management

Hand Held Demonstration

To communicate is the beginning of understanding.