SFCN Invasive Plant Corridors - BICY, BISC, and EVER (2011-2024)

The data release indicates the locations surveyed and the exotic species detected while conducting exotic plant "corridors of invasiveness" surveys in five regions in South Florida National Park (Biscayne National Park, Everglades National Park East Region, Big Cypress National Preserve South, Everglades National Park West Region, and Big Cypress National Preserve North). This survey data was the result of following the Corridors of Invasiveness protocol (Shamblin, R.B., K.R.T. Whelan, and Rachel M. Vargas. 2013. South Florida/Caribbean Network early detection protocol for invasive exotic plants: Corridors of invasiveness. Natural Resource Report NPS/SFCN/NRR - 2013/675. National Park Service, Fort Collins, Colorado) for the first years of the project, and then was updated in 2023 as Shamblin, R.B., K.R.T. Whelan, M. Londono, and J. Patterson. 2022. South Florida/Caribbean Network early detection protocol for exotic plants: Corridors of Invasiveness. Natural Resource Report NPS/SFCN/NRR-2022/2420. National Park Service, Fort Collins, Colorado.
The primary objective of the Corridors of Invasiveness protocol is to detect newly emerging exotic plant species in the National Parks of South Florida along the most likely routes, or “corridors of invasiveness”, i.e., trails, roadways, campgrounds, and boat launches. Surveys are conducted by an experienced botanist along with a team member who can treat small infestations. Exotics are treated immediately, when possible (less than 5 mins of work) or are reported to park staff and through Early Detection and Distribution Mapping System (EDDMapS), a multi-agency web-based mapping system for invasive species.
There were 3 survey time periods: Initial surveys 2011 to 2015, First resample period 2016 to 2019 (covid prevented sampling in 2020), second resample period 2021 to 2024). There are approximately 100 corridors of invasiveness sample sites in the 5 regions. The majority of which have been sampled 3 times. Some sites were dropped from the surveys as they are no longer active camp sites or no longer accessible, and some sites were added. Surveys typically occur in the months of May and June. Sites are survey by hiking, driving, and boating. Typically, walking surveys take between 5 to 20 minutes to complete at the sites

NOTE - Data for this data release was pulled from the corridors database and preliminarily cleaned and organized in May 2025. The data should undergo further QAQC before being used in analysis.