Abstract
Developing an Exotic Plant Geodatabase for Saguaro National Park
Track: Parks and Natural Reserves
Author
Management and control of invasive, non-native or exotic plants presents a significant challenge for ecologists at Saguaro National Park in Arizona. In collaboration with park staff, the Center for Applied Spatial Analysis at the University of Arizona has developed an ArcGIS application for the capture and evaluation of spatial and non-spatial data related to exotic plant infestations in the park. The system utilizes ArcPad-equipped GPS receivers to collect spatial and attribute data in the field, and a file geodatabase to manage these data. The Exotic Plants Geodatabase includes historic as well as current data allowing park personnel to monitor change (spatial extent, percent cover, etc.) in exotic plant infestations over time, and to assess the effectiveness of management activities such as herbicide application. Going forward, the use of geodatabase features such as coded value domains will improve both editing efficiency and overall data integrity.
Gary Christopherson
Center for Applied Spatial Analysis, University of Arizona
Harvill Building, Room 409
1103 E 2nd Street
Tucson, Arizona 85721
United States
Phone: 5206216267
E-mail: garych@casa.arizona.edu
Michael Malone
Center for Applied Spatial Analysis, Univ. of Arizona
PO Box 41746
Tucson, Arizona 85717
United States
Phone: 5202703683
E-mail: mtmalone@email.arizona.edu
Becky MacEwen
National Park Service
3693 Old Spanish Trail
Tucson, Arizona 85730
United States
Phone: 5207335175
E-mail: Becky_MacEwen@nps.gov
Bethany Hontz
National Park Service
3693 Old Spanish Trail
Tucson, Arizona 85730
United States
Phone: 5207335187
E-mail: Bethany_Hontz@nps.gov
Dana Backer
National Park Service
3693 Old Spanish Trail
Tucson, Arizona 85730
United States
Phone: 5207335179
E-mail: Dana_Backer@nps.gov