PlantTracker data from 2012 onwards

Natural Apptitude

Description

Distribution and abundance data on 16 high priority non-native, invasive plant species primarily from across the UK. These are largely riparian or aquatic species and comprise the following:

Japanese Knotweed (Fallopia japonica)

Himalayan Balsam (Impatiens glandulifera)

Orange Balsam (Impatiens capensis)

Water Fern (Azolla filiculoides)

New Zealand (Pigmyweed Crassula helmsii)

Parrot's Feather (Myriophyllum aquaticum)

Giant Hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum)

Floating Pennywort (Hydrocotyle ranunculoides)

Creeping Water-primrose (Ludwigia peploides)

Piri-piri burr (Acaena novae-zelandiae)

American Skunk-cabbage (Lysichiton americanus)

Rhododendron (Rhododendron ponticum)

Monkey Flower (Mimulus guttatus, M. luteus & hybrids)

Curly Waterweed (Lagarosiphon major)

Gunnera spp (Gunnera spp)

Pampas Grass (Cortaderia selloana)

Geographic Description

UK primarily (It has been recognised that data collected from the entire British Isles are valuable to data users. Equally, records from Europe may also be important so no attempt is made to limit its use within Europe). Accuracy of records - normal range 3-20m.

Purpose

The project was originally conceived to provide the Environment Agency with a clearer picture of the UK distribution of the 16 target species and to engage the general public with data collection but it has now expanded encompass many other users including Scottish Natural Heritage, Scottish Environment Protection Agency, Jersey Government among others.

Data quality

Data quality high. 90% of records have a photograph attached and those without are validated based on recorder credentials. Geolocation accuracy high.

Methods

Data is collected using a smartphone application (see http://planttracker.naturelocator.org/ for further information and links to download the app). Data is collected by both experts and interested members of the public in the field. Critically, each record collected is verifiable since it is usually comprised of a photograph along with other relevant metadata. If a photo is missing records are accepted by other supporting information (text description) or reputation of the recorder. Records are also accurately geo-located since the app utilises the phone's inbuilt GPS capabilities, often resolving the location to a matter of metres. The app also contains a built-in photographic ID guide to aid users. Data collected by the PlantTracker App is being stored in the Indicia community data warehouse, hosted by the Biological Records Centre. Data is verified by experienced botanists using the iRecord system.

Citation

No citation information available.

Rights

CC BY-NC

Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial

Digitised records