Everglades CISMA Digital Aerial Sketchmapping (DASM)

These map shows the spatial distribution and abundance of observed invasive plant species (Lygodium microphyllum, Melaleuca quinquenervia, Schinus terebinthifolius, Pennisetum purpureum., Neyraudia reynaudiana, Casuarina equisetifolia and Thespesia populnea) within the CISMA. The 2005 pilot project was conducted through a cooperative agreement between the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) and the National Park Service (NPS). This pilot project included Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge and the Water Conservation Areas (WCA-2, WCA-3A and WCA-3B) and Everglades National Park. The success of the pilot project prompted the CISMA steering committee to recommend biennial Digital Aerial Sketchmapping (DASM) projects within the CISMA commencing in 2008.

In 2008, NPS in cooperation with SFWMD flew a DASM project within the entire CISMA (Everglades National Park, Big Cypress National Preserve and the Water Conservation Areas as well as various wildlife management areas). This DASM invasive plant monitoring was adapted from the USDA Forest Service Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team (FHTET) Forest Health Protection (FHP) monitoring program. The surface area of the CISMA is 2.68 million acres and the total cost of 2008 DASM project was 3.5 cents/acre. Invasive plant locations were recorded while flying one kilometer (East-West orientation) width transects in rotary-wing aircraft at 80-100mph ground speed at 500ft above ground level through the study area. Polygons were recorded for each of the targeted species to show areal coverage and density (high >50%, medium 25-50%, low <25%).

The Rotenberger Wildlife Management Area and Holey Lands was not surveyed during the 2005 or 2008 flights, but will be included in further monitoring initiatives. This map was created using 2005 DASM data and changes were documented in the 2008 DASM results. This finished map reflects conditions existing at the time of January 2008 DASM flights.

DASM accuracy is contingent on observer training and experience as well as airspeed, altitude and width of transect.

Purpose

To document the spatial distribution of six major invasive plant species which can be easily detected aerially. Observations of new or unusual vegetation was recorded and maintained in the same format. It is currently expected that the CISMA will be aerially surveyed biennially to monitor changes over the entire system.

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Download Shapefiles for 2008

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View Distribution on Google Maps, Select Species:

melaleuca Melaleuca quinquenervia	Brazilian peppertree Schinus terebinthifolius
old world climbing fern Lygodium microphyllum	Australian pine Casuarina equisetifolia

burmareed Neyraudia reynaudiana

portia tree Thespesia populnea

elephant grass Pennisetum purpureum

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DASM 2008 Totals

Species	Density	Acres	Perimeter_mile
Casuarina	High	211.96	14.91
	Medium	571.69	46.54
	Low	767.55	25.98
	Total	1551.20	87.42
Lygodium	High	867.70	77.67
	Medium	4591.41	367.78
	Low	252.14	8.16
	Total	5711.25	453.60
Melaleuca	High	2943.97	98.52
	Medium	99732.28	286.83
	Low	32361.72	312.96
	Total	135037.96	698.31
Neyraudia	High	100.91	5.74
	Medium	632.06	36.88
	Low	14.75	1.36
	Total	747.71	43.97
Pennisetum	High	233.69	11.84
	Medium	296.79	10.45
	Total	530.48	22.30
Schinus	High	12852.65	412.87
	Medium	42021.90	1355.18
	Low	2790.56	137.17
	Total	57665.11	1905.22
Thespesia	High	3.81	0.52
	Total	3.81	0.52
Other		120.55	8.18
TOTAL		201247.52	3211.33

DASM 2005 Totals

Species	Density	Acres	Perimeter_mile
Casuarina	High	529.13	21.272
	Medium	4939.459	73.517
	Low	11345.708	51.276
	Total	16814.30	146.07
Lygodium	High	855.54	79.57
	Medium	2306.676	268.419
	Low	58.187	2.565
	Total	3220.40	350.55
Melaleuca	High	5402.572	169.936
	Medium	150955.912	976.144
	Low	26215.379	92.672
	Total	182573.86	1238.75
Neyraudia	High	25.606	0.902
	Medium
	Low
	Total	25.61	0.90
Pennisetum	High
	Medium
	Total
Schinus	High	8108.49	177.076
	Medium	29699.079	679.403
	Low	56.453	5.25
	Total	37864.02	861.73
Thespesia	High	3.807	0.517
	Total	3.81	0.52
Other
TOTAL		240502	2598.52

Actual Change 2005-2008

Species	Acre	Perimeter_mile
Casuarina	-15263.10	-58.65
Lygodium	2490.85	103.04
Melaleuca	-47535.90	-540.44
Neyraudia	722.11	43.07
Pennisetum	530.48	22.30
Schinus	19801.09	1043.49
Thespesia	0.00	0.00
Total	-39254.48	612.81