The Next Wave of Invasive Plants in Oklahoma: Mapping and Monitoring

Abstract

In order to prevent the spread of invasive plants, people need to know where the plants are a problem. Many different on-line sources compile information about locations of plant species, but do so in different ways. We used four different on-line tools: the USDA Plants Database, the Early Detection and Distribution Mapping System (EDDMapS), the Oklahoma Vascular Plants Database, and collections of herbarium specimens aggregated through the SEINet Portal, to determine the locations of fifteen species identified as “Watch List” invasives by the Oklahoma Invasive Plants Council. We report on correspondence and disparity between the tools and make suggestions regarding both where the plants are and where to find information about where the plants are.