Invasive Annual Grass (IAG) Spatial Dataset Compilation and Synthesis Active
USGS is working closely with partners in the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and the Intermountain West Joint Venture (IMJV) to collect and summarize spatial datasets that describe measurable aspects of invasive annual grasses (e.g., biomass or presence) across the western United Stated and beyond. The products developed through this project provide guidance to practitioners, biologists, and natural resource managers tasked with combating the spread of invasive annual grasses.
Simplifying Invasive Annual Grass Spatial Data & Maps
The purpose of this project is to provide users of invasive annual grass spatial data/maps such as biologists, practitioners, and habitat managers, with information to help select the spatial datasets most appropriate for biological planning and conservation design at regional to large spatial scales. These spatial datasets can be viewed on the web or downloaded.
Synthesis Products
Scientists have synthesized 23 publicly-accessible maps that describe the regional distribution or cover of invasive annual grasses and created four information products. These products include a compendium summarizing all 23 spatial products, a brief user guide, peer-reviewed manuscript, and database of invasive annual grass spatial products.
Across the West, invasive annual grasses are a major threat to sagebrush rangelands, impacting plant communities, wildlife habitat, and wildfire risk. Numerous spatial datasets mapping invasive annual grasses exist; however, land managers often struggle to identify which of these datasets are most relevant to their work or are unaware that these data exist at all. Through a suite of products, experts collated invasive annual grass spatial datasets and identified the similarities and differences among them. Further, they provide guidance to potential users on selecting appropriate spatial data for their needs.
The USGS collected and summarized 23 spatial datasets:
| Product Name | Species of Grass | Recentness | Access the Data |
|---|---|---|---|
|
INHABIT Cheatgrass Suitability (2019) |
Cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) | 2020 | |
|
INHABIT Medusahead Suitability (2019) |
Medusahead (Taeniatherum caput-medusae) | 2020 | |
|
INHABIT Ventenata Suitability (2019) |
Ventenata (Ventenata dubia) | 2020 | |
|
RAP Annual Herbaceous Cover Time series (1984-2019) |
Annual herbaceous species | 1984-2019 | |
|
RAP Annual Herbaceous Biomass Time Series (1986-2019) |
Annual herbaceous species | 1984-2019 | |
|
Probability of Cheatgrass Invasion in Western US |
Cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) | 2020 | |
|
Probability of Medusahead Invasion in Western US |
Medusahead (Taeniatherum caput-medusae) | 2020 | |
|
RCMAP Rangeland Fractional Components Base Map (2016) |
2016 | ||
|
RCMAP Rangeland Fractional Components Time Series (1985-2018) |
|||
|
RCMAP Projections of Rangeland Fractional Components (2020s, 2050s, 2080s) |
|||
|
WGA Annual Herbaceous Cover (2016-2018 composite) |
Annual herbaceous species | 2016-2018 | |
|
LANDFIRE Existing Vegetation Type (2016) |
Annual herbaceous species | 2016 | |
|
MoD-FIS Fuel Vegetation Cover (2020) |
Herbaceous species (including perennials) | 2020 | |
|
Near-Real-Time Annual Herbaceous Cover (2015-2019) |
Annual herbaceous species | 2015-2019 | |
|
Annual Herbaceous Cover Time Series (2000-2016) |
Annual herbaceous species | 2000-2016 | |
|
Cheatgrass Distribution in the Intermountain West (2016) |
Cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) | 2001-2016 | |
|
Invasive Annual Grasses in Cold Desert Areas (2016) |
Introduced annual grass species | 2016 | |
|
HLS Annual Herbaceous Fractional Cover Time Series (2016-2020) |
Annual herbaceous species | 2016-2018 | |
|
Cheatgrass Occurrence Across Sage-grouse Range (2000-2014 ) |
Cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) | 2000-2014 | |
|
Cheatgrass Dieoff in Northern Great Basin Time Series (2000-2010) |
Cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) | 2000-2010 | |
|
Cheatgrass Occurrence Across the Wyoming Basin (2006) |
Cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) | 2006 | |
|
SE OR Vegetation Composition Map (2012-2017) |
Introduced annual grass species | ||
|
Predicted Invasive Plant Cover in the Mojave Desert (2009-2013) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why should I use this summarization of maps and spatial datasets?
A: It’s a curated summary of information to help save you time in finding relevant resources. It’s meant to provide a systematic way to compare different mapping options for invasive annual grasses.
Q: Where do I download this data?
A: Links to GIS spatial data can be found in the compendium and database, as well as on the Sagebrush Ecosystem Data Viewer and SageDAT.
Q: Why only these three IAG species?
A: These three invasive grass species (cheatgrass, medusahead, ventenata) represented the greatest interest/concern among agency stakeholders working in the sagebrush biome, the focal area for this project. However, there are other invasive grasses of concern.
Q: How do I use this suite of products to find maps and spatial datasets?
A: See use cases below
- I'm trying to find local data and want to quickly check if a dataset could be useful to me: Check out this easy-to-use web viewer that you don’t need GIS software to explore the datasets.
- I want to read short synopses to know what’s out there: Head to the compendium.
- I want to know what criteria to consider when selecting spatial datasets for a project: Dive into the user guide.
- I want to understand the similarities and differences among these spatial datasets (e.g., to compare and filter the datasets represented): Explore the downloadable database of invasive annual grass spatial products.
- I want to read about recent IAG mapping and ideas for co-producing new spatial data products: Read the journal article.
Q: Why isn’t my favorite dataset included?
A: This project focused on publicly available spatial datasets that were peer-reviewed, published from January 2010 through February 2021, and covered regional (or larger) spatial extents. The spatial datasets summarized were created using spatial-statistical models resulting in invasive annual grass predictions across large landscapes. Many available datasets did not meet these inclusion criteria. Small and localized datasets are not included at this time. Some non-map datasets, including point location and occurrence databases, were noted in the Compendium Appendix but not summarized in these products.
Q: There are a few dozen maps in this catalogue. Do we really need more spatial data products?
A: In many cases, yes. They are all constructed differently and lead to different strengths and weaknesses of application. More can be done to increase or improve spatial mapping of invasive annual grasses, particularly for lesser-mapped species such as ventenata and medusahead.
- Overview
USGS is working closely with partners in the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and the Intermountain West Joint Venture (IMJV) to collect and summarize spatial datasets that describe measurable aspects of invasive annual grasses (e.g., biomass or presence) across the western United Stated and beyond. The products developed through this project provide guidance to practitioners, biologists, and natural resource managers tasked with combating the spread of invasive annual grasses.
Simplifying Invasive Annual Grass Spatial Data & MapsThe purpose of this project is to provide users of invasive annual grass spatial data/maps such as biologists, practitioners, and habitat managers, with information to help select the spatial datasets most appropriate for biological planning and conservation design at regional to large spatial scales. These spatial datasets can be viewed on the web or downloaded.
Synthesis ProductsScientists have synthesized 23 publicly-accessible maps that describe the regional distribution or cover of invasive annual grasses and created four information products. These products include a compendium summarizing all 23 spatial products, a brief user guide, peer-reviewed manuscript, and database of invasive annual grass spatial products.
Across the West, invasive annual grasses are a major threat to sagebrush rangelands, impacting plant communities, wildlife habitat, and wildfire risk. Numerous spatial datasets mapping invasive annual grasses exist; however, land managers often struggle to identify which of these datasets are most relevant to their work or are unaware that these data exist at all. Through a suite of products, experts collated invasive annual grass spatial datasets and identified the similarities and differences among them. Further, they provide guidance to potential users on selecting appropriate spatial data for their needs.
The USGS collected and summarized 23 spatial datasets:
Product Name Species of Grass Recentness Access the Data INHABIT Cheatgrass Suitability (2019)
Cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) 2020 INHABIT Medusahead Suitability (2019)
Medusahead (Taeniatherum caput-medusae) 2020 INHABIT Ventenata Suitability (2019)
Ventenata (Ventenata dubia) 2020 RAP Annual Herbaceous Cover Time series (1984-2019)
Annual herbaceous species 1984-2019 RAP Annual Herbaceous Biomass Time Series (1986-2019)
Annual herbaceous species 1984-2019 Probability of Cheatgrass Invasion in Western US
Cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) 2020 Probability of Medusahead Invasion in Western US
Medusahead (Taeniatherum caput-medusae) 2020 RCMAP Rangeland Fractional Components Base Map (2016)
2016 RCMAP Rangeland Fractional Components Time Series (1985-2018)
RCMAP Projections of Rangeland Fractional Components (2020s, 2050s, 2080s)
WGA Annual Herbaceous Cover (2016-2018 composite)
Annual herbaceous species 2016-2018 LANDFIRE Existing Vegetation Type (2016)
Annual herbaceous species 2016 MoD-FIS Fuel Vegetation Cover (2020)
Herbaceous species (including perennials) 2020 Near-Real-Time Annual Herbaceous Cover (2015-2019)
Annual herbaceous species 2015-2019 Annual Herbaceous Cover Time Series (2000-2016)
Annual herbaceous species 2000-2016 Cheatgrass Distribution in the Intermountain West (2016)
Cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) 2001-2016 Invasive Annual Grasses in Cold Desert Areas (2016)
Introduced annual grass species 2016 HLS Annual Herbaceous Fractional Cover Time Series (2016-2020)
Annual herbaceous species 2016-2018 Cheatgrass Occurrence Across Sage-grouse Range (2000-2014 )
Cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) 2000-2014 Cheatgrass Dieoff in Northern Great Basin Time Series (2000-2010)
Cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) 2000-2010 Cheatgrass Occurrence Across the Wyoming Basin (2006)
Cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) 2006 SE OR Vegetation Composition Map (2012-2017)
Introduced annual grass species Predicted Invasive Plant Cover in the Mojave Desert (2009-2013)
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why should I use this summarization of maps and spatial datasets?
A: It’s a curated summary of information to help save you time in finding relevant resources. It’s meant to provide a systematic way to compare different mapping options for invasive annual grasses.
Q: Where do I download this data?
A: Links to GIS spatial data can be found in the compendium and database, as well as on the Sagebrush Ecosystem Data Viewer and SageDAT.
Q: Why only these three IAG species?
A: These three invasive grass species (cheatgrass, medusahead, ventenata) represented the greatest interest/concern among agency stakeholders working in the sagebrush biome, the focal area for this project. However, there are other invasive grasses of concern.
Q: How do I use this suite of products to find maps and spatial datasets?
A: See use cases below
- I'm trying to find local data and want to quickly check if a dataset could be useful to me: Check out this easy-to-use web viewer that you don’t need GIS software to explore the datasets.
- I want to read short synopses to know what’s out there: Head to the compendium.
- I want to know what criteria to consider when selecting spatial datasets for a project: Dive into the user guide.
- I want to understand the similarities and differences among these spatial datasets (e.g., to compare and filter the datasets represented): Explore the downloadable database of invasive annual grass spatial products.
- I want to read about recent IAG mapping and ideas for co-producing new spatial data products: Read the journal article.
Q: Why isn’t my favorite dataset included?
A: This project focused on publicly available spatial datasets that were peer-reviewed, published from January 2010 through February 2021, and covered regional (or larger) spatial extents. The spatial datasets summarized were created using spatial-statistical models resulting in invasive annual grass predictions across large landscapes. Many available datasets did not meet these inclusion criteria. Small and localized datasets are not included at this time. Some non-map datasets, including point location and occurrence databases, were noted in the Compendium Appendix but not summarized in these products.
Q: There are a few dozen maps in this catalogue. Do we really need more spatial data products?
A: In many cases, yes. They are all constructed differently and lead to different strengths and weaknesses of application. More can be done to increase or improve spatial mapping of invasive annual grasses, particularly for lesser-mapped species such as ventenata and medusahead.
- Partners