1. Spatial Prioritization
Invasive Species Early Detection and Management Efforts
Jennifer Dean

3. Where to focus our invasive species efforts?
Protected areas
High conservation value
Recreation destinations
High risk areas
Areas NOT heavily invaded
Photo: NYS DEC, Creative Commons, some rights reserved

4. Invasive Species Database Program:
Our mission is to facilitate conservation of New York's biodiversity by providing comprehensive information and scientific expertise on rare species and natural ecosystems to resource managers and other conservation partners.
Partnership between NYS DEC and SUNY ESF
Invasive Species Database Program:
Providing invasive species mapping resources for NYS

5. Spatial Prioritization Maps for Invasive Species
GOAL - Help Natural Resource Managers prioritize where to focus resources for Early Detection surveys and invasive species control by coupling conservation value and risk of spread.
Basic Steps:
Compiled spatial data on factors influencing invasive control decisions
Used layers with statewide coverage and fine scale resolution
2) Created new synthesis layers
Driven by stakeholder feedback and expected uses
Risk of Spread
Conservation value
Protection Status

6. Component Details: Ecological Significance
Rare species locations, significant communities, and element distribution models
Stream Biomonitoring Unit
Biological Assessment Profile (stream quality metrics)
Predicted native mussel richness
Ryan Hagerty; USFWS

7. Component Details: Protected or Natural
NYPAD
New York Protected Areas Database
Further lifted by NYNHP Biodiversity Index score
National Land Cover Database
Cover Type = Natural Cover

8. Component Details: Risk of Spread
Landscape Condition Assessment (LCA)
Transportation network
Urban and Industrial Development
Utility Corridors
Land use-Land Cover
created by NYNHP
Recreation Use of
Natural Areas
Boat Launches
Campgrounds
Trailheads
From NYS DEC data

9. Prioritization map component scores
ECOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE
Layer
Description
Orig. Max
New Max
Weight
Element Occurance Data
Natural Heritage element occurrences, scored based on EO quality, accuracy, and rarity. Square root transformed the highly skewed data. 46 1 50
Mussels
Number of predicted mussel species according to the Freshwater Blueprint. 17 5
BAP
Biological Assessment Profile- measure of stream health based on invertebrate diversity and abundance.
9.45
Element Distribution Models
Habitat predicted to be suitable for rare species according to Natural Heritage Element Distribution Models. 34 30 90
PROTECTED OR NATURAL/LIFTING FACTORS
NYPAD
All polygons in the New York Protected Areas Database were included. To provide a measure of relative habitat quality, each polygon was scored them by evaluating the average Natural Heritage Biodiversity Index score for each unique property name. 10 15
Natural Land
Taken from the 2011 NLCD. Points given to land where "Cover Type" is equal to "Natural Cover“. 20
RISK OF SPREAD
LCA
Landscape Condition Assessment: depicts the presumed impacts from a suite of anthropogenic stressors. Created by NYNHP.
3820 35
Trails
Data obtained from NYS GIS Clearinghouse DEC Trails, converted from KML to points. Calculated Euclidean distance to trails. Max distance 1000 meters.
1000 1*
Campgrounds
Data obtained from NYS GIS Clearinghouse, DEC Campgrounds converted from KML to polygons. Calculated Euclidean distance to campgrounds. Max distance 1000 meters.
Boat Launches
Data obtained from Data Selector. Calculated Euclidean distance to boat launches. Max distance 1000 meters.
*Score was inverted (1/(1+distance) so that higher scoring pixels were those closest to the stressors, and the score diminishes with distance from

10. Comprehensive Score: Ecological Significance + Protected or Natural + Risk
Risk of Spread
56%
13%
31%
Comprehensive Score
Areas of high conservation value with high risk of new invasions and dispersal

11. Using the prioritization map models Working at different scales
Example use – Regional Scale
Where can PRISM efforts target high value natural areas prone to new invasions and dispersal?
Example use – State Scale
Where along major roads could DOT prioritize resources for invasive species control to maximize conservation values?
Example use – Local/Park Scale
A big crew of volunteers is coming tomorrow! Which easily accessible areas would benefit from an invasive plant removal project?

17. Adding power to the models: Invasive Species Locations

19. Comprehensive Score: Ecological Significance + Protected or Natural + Risk
Risk of Spread
56%
13%
31%
Comprehensive Score
Areas of high conservation value with high risk of new invasions and dispersal

20. Use-case examples
Where can I focus surveys/ treatments to protect the areas of highest conservation value in my park?
Ecological Significance + iMap data

21. Risk of Spread + iMap data
Use-case examples
Where should I focus surveys in my preserve for early detection species spread by humans?
Risk of Spread + iMap data

22. Accessing the maps Within iMapInvasives
As raster layers
Need an iMap account – Level 2 and up
Request a login account:
Map layers available to those with ArcGIS as tif files

29. Stakeholder Feedback
Do the “hot spots” of the Comprehensive Score map correspond to areas you think should be highlighted in your region?
Do the “hot spots” of the Ecological Significance map correspond to areas you think should be highlighted in your region?
Examples of ways your organization/region would use these maps (or combinations of) to help make decisions.

30. Questions or feedback? Many Thanks!! NYNHP Team Amy Conley Tim Howard
Brent Kinal
Workgroup
Carrie Brown-Lima – NY ISRI
Carri Marschner – Cornell Hemlock Initiative
Brendan Quirion - APIPP
Linda Rohleder – Lower Hudson PRISM
Willow Eyres – DEC ISCU
Jerry Carlson – DEC Lands and Forests
Julie Lundgren –OPRHP/NYNHP
And many others providing feedback…
Contact info:
Jennifer Dean