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.
Download Shapefiles for 2008
View Distribution on Google Maps, Select Species:
 melaleuca |
 Brazilian peppertree |
 old world climbing fern |
 Australian pine |
 burmareed |
 portia tree |
 elephant grass |
DASM 2008 Totals
| Species | Density | Acres |
| Casuarina | High | 212.118 |
| Medium | 572.107 | |
| Low | 767.795 | |
| Total | 1552.02 | |
| Lygodium | High | 868.333 |
| Medium | 4594.866 | |
| Low | 252.331 | |
| Total | 5715.53 | |
| Melaleuca | High | 2502.331 |
| Medium | 96,606.948 | |
| Low | 28,736.939 | |
| Total | 127,846.218 | |
| Neyraudia | High | 100.983 |
| Medium | 632.549 | |
| Low | 14.76 | |
| Total | 748.292 | |
| Pennisetum | High | 233.879 |
| Medium | 297.014 | |
| Total | 530.893 | |
| Schinus | High | 12,862.519 |
| Medium | 42,055.099 | |
| Low | 2792.746 | |
| Total | 57,710.364 | |
| Thespesia | High | 3.809 |
| Total | 3.809 | |
| TOTAL | 194,107.126 |
DASM 2005 Totals
| Species | Density | Acres |
| Casuarina | High | 529.524 |
| Medium | 4943.181 | |
| Low | 11,354.265 | |
| Total | 16,826.97 | |
| Lygodium | High | 856.155 |
| Medium | 2308.377 | |
| Low | 58.234 | |
| Total | 3222.766 | |
| Melaleuca | High | 5406.519 |
| Medium | 151,063.13 | |
| Low | 26,234.842 | |
| Total | 182,704.491 | |
| Neyraudia | High | 25.626 |
| Medium | 3.24 | |
| Low | ||
| Total | 28.866 | |
| Pennisetum | High | |
| Medium | ||
| Total | ||
| Schinus | High | 8114.86 |
| Medium | 29,722.425 | |
| Low | 56.493 | |
| Total | 37,893.778 | |
| Thespesia | High | 3.809 |
| Total | 3.809 | |
| Other | ||
| TOTAL | 240,680.68 |
Actual Change 2005-2008
| Species | Acre |
| Casuarina | -15,274.95 |
| Lygodium | 2492.764 |
| Melaleuca | -54,858.273 |
| Neyraudia | 719.426 |
| Pennisetum | 530.893 |
| Schinus | 19,816.586 |
| Thespesia | 0.00 |
| Total | -46,573.554 |