Tuesday, August 7, 2007

PS 30-80: An exotic species database for determining the distribution of exotic plants in southern Illinois

Jason R. Inczauskis, Molly S. Hacker, Loretta L. Battaglia, and David J. Gibson. Southern Illinois University Carbondale

Exotic species are a major threat to the ecological function and biodiversity of many native ecosystems. The distribution of many of these species is still uncertain, however. The objective of this study was to collate exotic plant species records from the eleven southernmost counties of Illinois, where the Shawnee National Forest is located. We compiled accounts of exotic species from knowledgeable informants, the published literature, the Illinois Critical Trends Assessment Program (CTAP), and herbaria records from the USDA Forest Service, the Illinois Natural History Survey (INHS), and Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC). A database was constructed which included species locations, habitats, and year of documentation. The database currently contains > 8,700 records for over 600 species. Lonicera japonica and Melilotus officinalis are the most frequently occurring species in the database. Location information taken from the records was used to determine more specific UTM coordinates. Each record was assigned a resolution category based on the level of detail given in the records, and by extension the perceived accuracy of our coordinates. Of those records currently assigned to categories, 65 % of them have been placed within 2 km of their estimated point of origin, with the most accurate records being placed within 20 m. These coordinates will allow us to incorporate many of these records into a GIS framework to track spatial and temporal patterns of exotic species invasion, and locate hotspots of exotic species diversity that threaten native species.

See more of PS 30 - Invasion
See more of Contributed Oral and Poster Abstracts

See more of The ESA/SER Joint Meeting (August 5 -- August 10, 2007)