The USGS developed the second in a series of informative spatial distribution datasets of submersed aquatic vegetation (SAV) in the eastern basin of Lake Erie. The second dataset was developed by object-based image analysis of high-resolution imagery (US waters < 6 meters deep) collected during peak biomass in 2018 to allow assessments of changes in SAV distribution. Assessing SAV abundance may contribute to inform the long-term impacts of Grass Carp, Common Carp, eutrophication, wind fetch and sedimentation on vegetation communities throughout Lake Erie and the impact these stressors may have on other organisms in the ecosystem. These data may also help inform the deployment of toxic bait deployments targeting Grass Carp. Bait placement can be strategically aligned with the spatial distribution and diet preferences of Grass carp to maximize control efforts while minimizing impacts to native species. These data provide a good baseline of SAV at an early point in the invasion/population growth curve for grass carp from which later assessments/models might project from, and are valuable for bioenergetic modeling efforts to project grass carp biomass or other species dependent on SAV.

The USGS developed the second in a series of informative spatial distribution datasets of submersed aquatic vegetation (SAV) in the western basin of Lake Erie. The second dataset was developed by object-based image analysis of high-resolution imagery (US waters < 6 meters deep) collected during peak biomass in 2018 to allow assessments of changes in SAV distribution. Assessing SAV abundance may contribute to inform the long-term impacts of Grass Carp, Common Carp, eutrophication, wind fetch and sedimentation on vegetation communities throughout Lake Erie and the impact these stressors may have on other organisms in the ecosystem. These data may also help inform the deployment of toxic bait deployments targeting Grass Carp. Bait placement can be strategically aligned with the spatial distribution and diet preferences of Grass carp to maximize control efforts while minimizing impacts to native species. These data provide a good baseline of SAV at an early point in the invasion/population growth curve for grass carp from which later assessments/models might project from, and also considered valuable for bioenergetic modeling efforts to project grass carp biomass or other species dependent on SAV.

The USGS developed the second in a series of informative spatial distribution datasets of submersed aquatic vegetation (SAV) in the western basin of Lake Erie. The second dataset was developed by object-based image analysis of high-resolution imagery (US waters < 6 meters deep) collected during peak biomass in 2018 to allow assessments of changes in SAV distribution. Assessing SAV abundance may contribute to inform the long-term impacts of Grass Carp, Common Carp, eutrophication, wind fetch and sedimentation on vegetation communities throughout Lake Erie and the impact these stressors may have on other organisms in the ecosystem. These data may also help inform the deployment of toxic bait deployments targeting Grass Carp. Bait placement can be strategically aligned with the spatial distribution and diet preferences of Grass carp to maximize control efforts while minimizing impacts to native species. These data provide a good baseline of SAV at an early point in the invasion/population growth curve for grass carp from which later assessments/models might project from, and also considered valuable for bioenergetic modeling efforts to project grass carp biomass or other species dependent on SAV.

Observations and subtle shifts of vegetation communities in Lake Erie have USGS researchers concerned about the potential for Grass Carp to alter these vegetation communities. Broad-scale surveys of vegetation using remote sensing and GIS mapping, coupled with on-the-ground samples in key locations will permit assessment of the effect Grass Carp may have already had on aquatic vegetation communities and establish baseline conditions for assessing future effects. Existing aerial imagery was used with object-based image analysis to detect and map aquatic vegetation in the eastern basin of Lake Erie.

Observations and subtle shifts of vegetation communities in Lake Erie have USGS researchers concerned about the potential for Grass Carp to alter these vegetation communities. Broad-scale surveys of vegetation using remote sensing and GIS mapping, coupled with on-the-ground samples in key locations will permit assessment of the effect Grass Carp may have already had on aquatic vegetation communities and establish baseline conditions for assessing future effects. Existing aerial imagery was used with object-based image analysis to detect and map aquatic vegetation in the eastern basin of Lake Erie.

Observations and subtle shifts of aquatic vegetation communities in Lake Erie have USGS researchers concerned about the potential for grass carp and other threats to alter these vegetation communities. Assessing submersed aquatic vegetation (SAV) may contribute to inform the long-term impacts of grass carp, common carp, eutrophication, wind fetch and sedimentation on SAV communities throughout Lake Erie and the impact these stressors may have on other organisms in the ecosystem. Field based SAV surveys using hydroacoustics and rake surveys were conducted from 2016-2019 in key locations coupled with remote sensing and GIS mapping to compile a baseline assessment for current existing SAV communities. While these efforts contribute to the assessment of long-term impacts of grass carp and other threats on SAV communities throughout Lake Erie and the impact this may have on other organisms in the ecosystem, they also help inform the deployment of grass carp-specific toxic bait deployments. Bait deployments can be strategically placed based on the spatial distribution and diet preferences of grass carp to maximize control efforts while reducing impacts to native species. Any use of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

Observations and subtle shifts of vegetation communities in western Lake Erie have USGS researchers concerned about the potential for Grass Carp to alter these vegetation communities. Broad-scale surveys of vegetation using remote sensing and GIS mapping, coupled with on-the-ground samples in key locations will permit assessment of the effect Grass Carp may have already had on aquatic vegetation communities and establish baseline conditions for assessing future effects. Existing aerial imagery was used with object-based image analysis to detect and map aquatic vegetation in the western basin of Lake Erie.

Observations and subtle shifts of vegetation communities in western Lake Erie have USGS researchers concerned about the potential for Grass Carp to alter these vegetation communities. Broad-scale surveys of vegetation using remote sensing and GIS mapping, coupled with on-the-ground samples in key locations will permit assessment of the effect Grass Carp may have already had on aquatic vegetation communities and establish baseline conditions for assessing future effects. Existing aerial imagery was used with object-based image analysis to detect and map aquatic vegetation in the western basin of Lake Erie.

Forest vegetation provides an integrated measure of terrestrial ecosystem health by expressing information about the collective suite of drivers and stressors which act upon it. These include climate, disturbance, browse, and invasive species. We developed a comprehensive forest monitoring protocol to detect change in the nine Great Lakes Network parks. Monitoring is conducted on a nine-year rotation, with each of the parks sampled over the course of one summer, once every nine years. Site locations were selected to ensure that they are random, but also spatially balanced throughout the parks. At each sampling site, we collect extensive data on trees (including saplings and seedlings), shrubs, herbs, coarse woody material, and browse. We also carry out assessments of tree health. Data are housed in a Microsoft Access database and published annually in an open-source, machine readable format. Quality control measures include both on site assessments of accuracy, as well as extensive data checking via automated parsing routines. Finally, reports from monitoring are produced on a regular basis and include internal National Park Service technical reports and externally reviewed manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals. All data are publicly available.

Forest vegetation provides an integrated measure of terrestrial ecosystem health by expressing information about the collective suite of drivers and stressors which act upon it. These include climate, disturbance, browse, and invasive species. We developed a comprehensive forest monitoring protocol to detect change in the nine Great Lakes Network parks. Monitoring is conducted on a nine-year rotation, with each of the parks sampled over the course of one summer, once every nine years. Site locations were selected to ensure that they are random, but also spatially balanced throughout the parks. At each sampling site, we collect extensive data on trees (including saplings and seedlings), shrubs, herbs, coarse woody material, and browse. We also carry out assessments of tree health. Data are housed in a Microsoft Access database and published annually in an open-source, machine readable format. Quality control measures include both on site assessments of accuracy, as well as extensive data checking via automated parsing routines. Finally, reports from monitoring are produced on a regular basis and include internal National Park Service technical reports and externally reviewed manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals. All data are publicly available.