The SANBI-INR IAPs layer was developed through a collaboration between SANBI and the Institute of Natural Resources as part of the Ecological Infrastructure for Water Security (EI4WS) project. The data was derived from expert workshops conducted with individuals who had knowledge about invasive alien plant species in the catchment. Through virtual workshops the “experts” identified areas they were familiar with to provide information about invasive infestation therein. Areas that experts could not provide information for or had low confidence about were assessed through field visits to verify and fill data gaps. In the context of the project, the experts referred to are local stakeholders that have been involved in IAPs clearing projects and are familiar with the types of IAP species present in the Berg-Breede catchment.

The SANBI-INR IAPs layer was developed through various stages as indicated below:

Segment and data preparation – which involved developing the segments layer using Segment Mean Shift tool in ArcMap. Thereafter, a structured attribute table and domains were created.

Engagement with experts/specialists to capture data on IAPs types and distribution patterns within the segments.

In-field mapping and verification to verify the data captured on desktop and to fill in gaps for where there was no data.

Incorporation of existing IAPs data from various sources.

The project only focused on the following IAP woody species through consultation with various stakeholders:

Port Jackson

Long-leafed wattle

Stinkbean

Australian myrtle

Blackwood

Willows

Poplar

Rooikrans

Hakea

Black wattle

Eucalyptus sp.

Pine sp.