![](media/image1.png){width="1.65625in" height="0.5520833333333334in"}

**DELAWARE INVASIVE SPECIES TRACKING SYSTEM**

USERS GUIDE:

Site Navigation and the Data Entry

**DISTS concept, design, and project management by**

**John Young, USGS Leetown Science Center**

[**john_a_young@usgs.gov**](mailto:john_a_young@usgs.gov)

**Data management and database design by**

**Olin Allen, Delaware Natural Heritage Program**

[**olin.allen@state.de.us**](mailto:olin.allen@state.de.us)

**Programming and documentation by**

**Doug Nichols, USGS Leetown Science Center**

[**dnichols@usgs.gov**](mailto:dnichols@usgs.gov)

###### This project was funded by the USGS State Partnerships Program

TABLE OF CONTENTS

[TOPIC]{.underline} [PAGE]{.underline}

# DATA & MAPS 3

Querying the
DATABASE......................................................... 3

Species
Characteristics..................................................... 3

View All Species................................................... 3

Search by Origin................................................... 3

Search by Physiographic Province............................... 3

Search by Growth Form........................................... 3

Search by Wetland Indicator...................................... 4

Search by Communities........................................... 4

Observations of Invasive Species........................................
4

View All Observations............................................ 4

Search by Species Found/Not Found............................ 4

Search by Date..................................................... 4

Search by Community............................................. 4

Search by Area of Infestation.................................... 4

Search by Species.................................................. 5

Properties..................................................................\...
5

View All Properties................................................ 5

Search by Property Name......................................... 5

Search by Ownership (Private/Public).......................... 5

Landowner...................................................................
5

View All Landowners............................................. 5

Search by Landowner Name...................................... 5

Observers..................................................................\...
5

View All Observers................................................ 5

Search by Observer Name........................................ 5

Search by Observer Affiliation................................... 6

Management
Actions....................................................... 6

View All Treatments............................................... 6

Search by Treatment Type........................................ 6

Search by Treatment Date......................................... 6

Other
Searches.............................................................. 6

Search by Repository.............................................. 6

Search by Project Name........................................... 6

Querying the
MAP.................................................................. 7

# LOGIN........................................................................\... 7

# 

# DATA ENTRY................................................................. 7

#  

Locational
Information..............................................................
8

Survey Information
Form........................................................... 8

Species Information
Form........................................................... 9

Property Information
Form......................................................... 9

Landowner Information
Form...................................................... 9

Management Information
From.................................................... 10

Data Entry
Review...................................................................
10

# SITE NAVIGATION......................................................... 10

Delaware Invasive Species Tracking System Webpage

Users Manual

The homepage of the Delaware Invasive Species Tracking System (DISTS)
(<http://www.lsc.usgs.gov/gis/dists/index.htm>) has two navigational
links. The first is a Data & Maps link, which allows the user to query
the database or the maps for information. The second link is for
observers to log in and report an observation of an invasive species.

# DATA & MAPS

The Data & Maps link allows a user to query the database and map for
information regarding invasive species. The database section has general
information on invasive species of interest as well information on
invasive species that have been found in the state of Delaware. The Map
section allows the user view all locations within Delaware that a
selected invasive species has been found. It is important to note that
only information that has been approved by the administrator will be
viewable to the public. Once an observation record is entered into the
database, it must be reviewed by the administrator. When it is approved,
it will become viewable. Below is a more in-depth look at the Database
and Map links.

Querying the DATABASE -- Allows the user to query the database and view
results in a table form. The user can query information by seven
different topics:

-   Species Characteristics --

    -   [View All Species]{.underline} -- Provides a listing of all the
        invasive species that the Delaware Invasive Species Council
        (DISC) is concerned with. Clicking on the Scientific Name
        provides the detailed information regarding that invasive
        species

    -   [Search by Origin]{.underline} -- Allows the user to search
        according to whether the invasive species' origin is Alien or
        Adventive. After selecting an origin, press "Search" to view all
        of the invasive species with that particular origin. Clicking on
        the Scientific Name provides the detailed information regarding
        that invasive species.

    -   [Search by Physiographic Province]{.underline} -- Allows the
        user to search according to whether the invasive species'
        physiographic province is Piedmont or Coastal Plain. After
        selecting a physiographic province, press "Search" to view all
        of the invasive species with that particular physiographic
        province. Clicking on the Scientific Name provides the detailed
        information regarding that invasive species.

    -   [Search by Growth Form]{.underline} -- Allows the user to search
        according to the invasive species' growth form. After selecting
        a growth form, press "Search" to view all of the invasive
        species with that particular growth form. Clicking on the
        Scientific Name provides the detailed information regarding that
        invasive species.

    -   [Search by Wetland Indicator]{.underline} -- Allows the user to
        search according to the invasive species' wetland indicator.
        After selecting a wetland indicator, press "Search" to view all
        of the invasive species with that particular wetland indicator.
        Clicking on the Scientific Name provides the detailed
        information regarding that invasive species.

    -   [Search by Community]{.underline} -- Allows the user to search
        according to the invasive species' community. After selecting a
        community, press "Search" to view all of the invasive species
        that exist in that particular community. Clicking on the
        Scientific Name provides the detailed information regarding that
        invasive species.

-   Observations of Invasive Species --

    -   [View all Observations]{.underline} -- Allows the viewer to view
        all records that have been entered into the database AND that
        have made viewable to the public. Once a record is entered, it
        is not made public until being reviewed by the administrator. To
        view the full detail of the observation, click the "Detail" link
        for that specific record. The locational information for that
        observation can be found by clicking on the Point ID number.

    -   [Search by Found/Not Found]{.underline} -- Allows the viewer to
        search by whether a species was or was not found. If a species
        was believed to have been located in a certain location but was
        not actually found, that data should be entered into the
        database as well. Select which records you wish to view (Found,
        Not Found, All) and click "Search". To view the full detail of
        the observation, click the "Detail" link for that specific
        record. The locational information for that observation can be
        found by clicking on the Point ID number.

    -   [Search by Date]{.underline} -- Allows the viewer to search for
        observations on, before, or after a specified date. The date
        field defaults to the current date. Select a date and criteria
        and then click "Search". To view the full detail of the
        observation, click the "Detail" link for that specific record.
        The locational information for that observation can be found by
        clicking on the Point ID number.

    -   [Search by Community]{.underline} -- Allows the viewer to search
        for species that were observed in a specified community. Select
        the community that you wish to view records for and then click
        "Search". To view the full detail of the observation, click the
        "Detail" link for that specific record. The locational
        information for that observation can be found by clicking on the
        Point ID number.

    -   [Search by Area of Infestation]{.underline} -- Allows the viewer
        to search for observations that had a specified area of
        infestation. Choose an area of infestation and then click
        "Search". To view the full detail of the observation, click the
        "Detail" link for that specific record. The locational
        information for that observation can be found by clicking on the
        Point ID number.

    -   [Search by Species]{.underline} -- Allows the viewer to search
        for observations on a particular species. Select *either* the
        scientific name or the common name and click "Search". To view
        the full detail of the observation, click the "Detail" link for
        that specific record. The locational information for that
        observation can be found by clicking on the Point ID number.

-   Properties --

    -   [View All Properties]{.underline} -- Lists all of the current
        properties. Click on the property ID to view the detailed
        information on that property.

    -   [Search by Property Name]{.underline} -- Allows the user to view
        observation records according to a particular property. Select
        the property from the drop-down menu and click "Search". To view
        the full detail of the observation, click the "Detail" link for
        that specific record. The locational information for that
        observation can be found by clicking on the Point ID number.

    -   [Search by Ownership]{.underline} -- Allows the user to view
        observation records according to whether the property is
        privately or publicly owned. Select the ownership type from the
        drop-down menu and click "Search". A listing of the properties
        will be displayed. To view the detail information of that
        property, click the Property ID. (Only information that has been
        approved as public will be shown after clicking the Property
        ID.) To view the full detail of the observation, click the
        "Detail" link for that specific record. The locational
        information for that observation can be found by clicking on the
        Point ID number.

-   Landowners --

    -   [View all Landowners]{.underline} -- Lists all of the current
        landowners. Only landowners who have given permission to have
        their information made public will be displayed.

    -   [Search by Landowner Name]{.underline} -- Allows the user to
        view observation records that were found on the land of a
        particular landowner. Select the landowner from the drop-down
        menu and click "Search". To view the full detail of the
        observation, click the "Detail" link for that specific record.
        The locational information for that observation can be found by
        clicking on the Point ID number. Only information that has been
        reviewed and approved by the administrator will be viewable.

-   Observers --

    -   [View all observers]{.underline} -- Lists all of the current
        observers. To view the detail information on an observer, click
        on the observer name.

    -   [Search by Observer Name]{.underline} -- Allows the user to
        search for observation records that have been found by a
        specific observer. Select the name of the observer from the
        drop-down menu and click "Search". To view the full detail of
        the observation, click the "Detail" link for that specific
        record. The locational information for that observation can be
        found by clicking on the Point ID number. Only information that
        has been reviewed and approved by the administrator will be
        viewable.

    -   [Search by Observer Affiliation]{.underline} -- Allows the user
        to search for observation records that have been found by people
        of a certain affiliation. Select the affiliation from the
        drop-down menu and click "Search". To view the full detail of
        the observation, click the "Detail" link for that specific
        record. The locational information for that observation can be
        found by clicking on the Point ID number. Only information that
        has been reviewed and approved by the administrator will be
        viewable.

-   Management Actions --

    -   [View all Treatments]{.underline} -- Lists all of the
        observations that had treatments performed on the invasive
        species. To view the full detail of the observation, click the
        "Detail" link for that specific record. The locational
        information for that observation can be found by clicking on the
        Point ID number. Only information that has been reviewed and
        approved by the administrator will be viewable.

    -   [Search by Treatment Type]{.underline} -- Allows the user to
        search for observation records that have had a treatment
        performed. Select the treatment type from the drop-down menu and
        click "Search". To view the full detail of the observation,
        click the "Detail" link for that specific record. The locational
        information for that observation can be found by clicking on the
        Point ID number. Only information that has been reviewed and
        approved by the administrator will be viewable.

    -   [Search by Treatment Date]{.underline} -- Allows the viewer to
        search for observations where a treatment was performed on,
        before, or after a specified date. The date field defaults to
        the current date. Select a date and criteria and then click
        "Search". To view the full detail of the observation, click the
        "Detail" link for that specific record. The locational
        information for that observation can be found by clicking on the
        Point ID number. Only information that has been reviewed and
        approved by the administrator will be viewable.

-   Other Searches --

    -   [Search by Repository]{.underline} -- Allows the user to search
        for records where the species was sent to a repository. Select
        repository from the drop-down menu and click "Search". To view
        the full detail of the observation, click the "Detail" link for
        that specific record. The locational information for that
        observation can be found by clicking on the Point ID number.
        Only information that has been reviewed and approved by the
        administrator will be viewable.

    -   [Search by Project Name]{.underline} -- Allows the user to
        search for observations that are related to a particular
        project. Select project name from the drop-down menu and click
        "Search". To view the full detail of the observation, click the
        "Detail" link for that specific record. The locational
        information for that observation can be found by clicking on the
        Point ID number. Only information that has been reviewed and
        approved by the administrator will be viewable.

Querying the MAPS -- Allows the user to query the database and view
results in map form.

After clicking on the map button, a page will be displayed containing a
drop-down menu of all of the invasive species that have been observed.
To view the locations on a map of where the invasive species was found,
select the scientific name of the species and then press "Search". A map
of the state of Delaware will be displayed. A red dot will indicate
where the specified species was found. There are various zooming
options, which allow for zooming in or out, and panning. To perform on
of those functions, select the appropriate radio button, and then click
on the map. The location that is clicked will become the center point of
the redrawn map. To get a more detailed map of where the species was
found, zoom in. To view a map showing all locations that a species was
found, zoom out. Panning allows you to re-center the current map. The
select a point radio button is only used when entering a species
observation on the online form.

There are also different layers on the map that can be turned on or off.
By default, the roads, streams, basins, and towns layers are turn on
while the Delaware Invasive Species Council (DISC) grid and the USGS
quadrats is turned off. See the legend beside the map to identify each
of these layers. The roads and streams layers will only be displayed on
the maps that are zoomed-in. To turn any of these layers on or off,
check or uncheck the appropriate box under the layers section and press
"Redraw". Only the layers that have been selected will be shown.

[LOGIN]{.underline}

In order to add an observation of an invasive species to the database,
the observer must first login. Clicking the login link takes the user to
the login screen. An observer ID and password is required before any
information can be entered into the database. The observer ID and
password is assigned to each observer by the DISTS administrator and the
Delaware Natural Heritage Program. From the login screen, type in the ID
and password that has been assigned, and then click "Login". If an
incorrect user name or password is entered, the page will be refreshed
and again ask for the correct user name and password. Otherwise, the
page will redirect to a page where the observer can browse or enter
data, and can query the maps. A message at the top of the page will
indicate that the user is now logged in. To begin entering data, click
the "Enter Data" button. The administration link is for administrators
only. You will NOT have access to the administrative pages with your
assigned login. To enter data, click the "Enter Data" button. You will
be taken to the Data Entry Homepage.

# DATA ENTRY

In order to enter data into the database using the online form, the
observer must log in to the system. All of the data entry pages are
password protected and cannot be accessed until a user has successfully
logged in using their assigned username and password. The observer will
be assigned a username and password by the DISTS administrator. If any
user tries to access any of the data entry pages without first logging
in, they will be redirected to the login page.

The first page of the Data Entry section is an overview page. It
provides basic information regarding the form and its purpose. Please
read the information carefully. There are six sections during the data
entry process: Location Information, Survey Information, Species
Information, Property Information, Landowner Information, and Management
Information. After entering data, the user will be able to verify the
information before actually submitting it into the database. To begin
entering data, click "Next".

## Locational Information

The first form is the location information. Enter the latitude and
longitude (Delaware State Plain Coordinates) of where the invasive
species was into the appropriate boxes. If the latitude and longitude is
not known, or if a map is needed, select the link "Select a Point from
the Map". The page will redirect to the map of Delaware. To zoom in,
make sure the "Zoom In" radio button is selected. Click on that map in
the area to zoom in to. Once the area of where the invasive species was
found is located, select the "Select a Point" radio button. Click on the
area of the map where the species was found. The page will redirect back
to the Location Form and will enter the longitude and latitude of the
point that was selected. Continue with the Location Form by selecting
either Yes or No for the Differentially Corrected and Quantitative
Survey questions. The survey plot and direction fields are optional,
although recommended if the information is available. When finished
entering the location data, click next. If any required information was
not given, an error message will be displayed. That information will
have to be provided before continuing. Otherwise, the Survey Form will
be shown.

## Survey Form

The Survey form lists information about the survey being conducted. The
name of the observer will automatically be listed. The first time you
enter an observation, it is asked that the observer information be
updated.

To update the observer information, click the button entitled "Update
Surveyor Information" at the top. The page listing the current
information for the observer will be displayed. Make any corrections
necessary. Note that the Name and ID (both needed to login) CANNOT be
changed. If the Affiliation is not listed, click on the Add Affiliation
button, and follow directions to enter the affiliation data. Enter the
name of the affiliation and the affiliation ID in the appropriate boxes.
Press "Enter". A page detailing the affiliation information entered will
be displayed. Return back to the surveyor information page by selecting
the link "Return to the Invasive Form". When finished editing the
surveyor information, click "Save" The new surveyor information will be
displayed. Select the "Return to the Invasive Form" button.

By default, the date will be set to the current date. Select the date on
which the study was performed. Select the appropriate title of the
project being conducted. If the project is not listed, add the project
to the database.

> To add a new project, click the "Add Project" Button. Add the Title of
> the Project and the Project ID. When finished, press "Save". The
> information you entered will be displayed. Return to the Survey Form
> by clicking the "Return to the Invasive Form" button. The project
> entered will now be in the drop-down box.

When finished entering the survey data, click next. If any required
information was not given, an error message will be displayed. That
information will have to be provided before continuing. Otherwise, the
Species Form will be shown.

**[Species Information Form]{.underline}**

The Species Information Form is for entering information regarding the
invasive species that was found. Before entering any data, make sure the
repository that the species is at (is the species was collected) is
provided in the drop-down menu. If not, the repository will have to be
added *before* filling out information on this form.

> To add a new repository, click the "Add Repository" Button. Add the
> name of the repository and the repository ID. When finished, press
> "Save". The information you entered will be displayed. Return to the
> Survey Form by clicking the "Return to the Invasive Form" button. The
> repository entered will now be in the drop-down box.

If the repository is already in the drop-down list, begin by selecting
either the scientific name or the common name. Selecting one will
automatically select the other. Select either Yes or No to whether the
species was found and if it was a confident identification (optional).
Continue by selecting the infested area, number of individuals found
(for animals) and the percent cover (for plants). There can be up to
five communities chosen for the species (at least one is required). If
needed, select the repository and enter any necessary comments. When
finished entering the survey data, click next. If any required
information was not given, an error message will be displayed. That
information will have to be provided before continuing. Otherwise, the
Property Form will be shown.

**[Property Information]{.underline}**

Select the appropriate property at which the species was found from the
drop-down list. If the property is not listed, the property will need to
be added to the database.

To enter a new property, click the "Add new property information"
button. The property information form will be displayed. All information
on this form is required. Enter the name and a brief description of the
property. Select either yes or no to whether the property is publicly
owned. When finished, click "Save". A review of the information entered
will be displayed. To return to the property information form, press
"Return to the Invasive Species Form". The property that was just
entered should now be listed in the drop-down list.

After selecting the name of the property from the drop-down list, click
next. The Landowner Information form will be displayed.

**[Landowner Information]{.underline}**

Select the appropriate landowner of the property at which the species
was found from the drop-down list. If the landowner is not listed, the
landowner will need to be added to the database.

To enter a new landowner, click the "Add new landowner information"
button. The landowner information form will be displayed. The name of
the landowner is required. Other information is optional, although
recommended if it is known. Enter the contact name, the address, and
phone number of the landowner. When finished, click "Save". A review of
the information entered will be displayed. To return to the landowner
information form, press "Return to the Invasive Species Form". The
landowner that was just entered should now be listed in the drop-down
list.

After selecting the name of the landowner from the drop-down list, click
next. The Management Information form will be displayed.

**[Management Information]{.underline}**

All information on this form is optional. The form is used to track the
treatments on the invasive form. If none of this section applies, then
click next. Otherwise, enter the type of treatment that was used, and
the area that it was used on. Select the date when the treatment was
performed. By default, the date field is set to the current date. Enter
any results in the area provided. When finished, click next to proceed
to the data review section.

**[Data Entry Review]{.underline}**

This form provides a review of the information that was entered using
the online form. At this point, the data has NOT been entered into the
database. Review through the information carefully. If there are any
errors, press the back button on the browser and correct any information
that is needed. After all information has been verified as correct, it
can now be entered into the database. Press submit. A message indicating
that the data has been entered into the database will be shown.

Once the submit button has been pressed the data will be entered into
database. It is important to note again that the data entered will NOT
be made immediately viewable to the public once it is entered. The
administrator must first review the information. If the landowner has
not given permission for observations made on their land to be made
public, the observation will not show up on the webpage. This review
process will be performed by the DISTS administrator. Once the
administrator has declared the observation record viewable to the
public, it will show up on the webpages.

To enter another observation record, click "Enter another report". The
Location Information screen will be displayed. Otherwise, to return to
the DISTS homepage, select the "Home" button.

# SITE NAVIGATION

Throughout the DISTS website, there is a consistent set of navigational
buttons to easily navigate through the website. The main set of
navigational links is on the left side of the page. These links provide
access to each of the main sections of the website. The Home link
returns the user to the DISTS homepage. The Database link sends the user
to the database browse page, while the Map link allow the viewer to see
a map of where a particular invasive species has been found. The Field
Form, Invasive Species, and About links provide additional resources and
information to the user.

Another set of navigational links appears on the database and mapping
pages. These buttons are at the top of the page, and provide three
options: browse data, enter data, and edit data/administration. The
"Browse Data" button returns the user to the main browsing page, where
it is possible to query the observation information on a wide range of
topics. The "Enter Data" button is for entering an invasive species
observation into the database. You must be a registered user to enter
information. If you have already logged in, this button will take you to
the data entry main page. Otherwise, the login screen will appear. The
"Edit Data" and "Administration" buttons are for administrators only.
The log in information for an observer will not work in the
administrators' section. The two logins are not related.

For each of the navigational items above, there is an easy way to
immediately tell which section of the webpage you are currently in. A
navigational button that has yellow writing signifies that you are
currently located in that particular section. All other buttons will
contain white lettering.