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EDDMapS is a web-based mapping system that harnesses the power of citizen science to document invasive species distribution. It is fast, easy to use and doesn't require Geographic Information Systems (GIS) experience. It was originally launched in 2005 by the Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health at the University of Georgia, and was  designed as a tool for state Exotic Pest Plant Councils to develop more complete distribution data of invasive species.

The EDDMapS applications combine data from other databases and organizations as well as volunteer observations to create a national network of invasive species distribution data that is shared with educators, land managers, conservation biologists, and beyond.

Below is a link to their website:

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Forty U.S. States and Four Canadian Provinces have active EDDMapS programs. EDDMapS has national support from the U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, National Park Service, National Institute of Food and Agriculture and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

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IveGot1 is the smartphone version of EDDMapS specifically for reporting invasive plants and animals in Florida. You can submit invasive species observations in the field directly with your device. These reports are uploaded to EDDMapS and e-mailed directly to local and state verifiers for review.

IveGot1 can be downloaded from the Apple App Store or Google play for Androids.

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EDDMapS documents the presence of invasive species in a simple, interactive Web interface.  Participants submit their observations or view results through interactive queries into the EDDMapS database.

Users enter information from their observations into the standardized on-line data form which requests specific information.  Data entered is immediately loaded to the Website, allowing real time tracking of species. Being able to see the current data of a species as it moves into a new area helps to facilitate Early Detection and Rapid Response programs (EDRR) that help stop or control an invasive species before it becomes an unmanageable problem.  All data is reviewed by state verifiers to ensure data is accurate.

Below is a step-by-step manual for creating an account and entering a report:

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The application tracks many different species. Below is a report of recently added records for sightings in Florida.

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One of the benefits is the ability to map.  Below is a map of EDDMapS data for Nile Monitor sightings in the western portion of Lee County.  Data points were exported from the EDDMapS application creating a KML file and built with Google Tour Builder.
https://tourbuilder.withgoogle.com/

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Smartphone applications like IveGot1 have increased reporting of invasive species by citizen scientists.  This has resulted in reporting, verification and management becoming more timely (Wallace, Bargeron, ZIska & Dukes, 2014 ).  EDDMaps uses simple graphics and uncluttered pages to create a tool that is intuitively navigable. EDDMapS uses Google Maps to display point data (latitude and longitude) for species.   Users without access to a GPS
device simply select and preview their location on a map (Bargeron & Morehead, 2007).

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Without proper planning and policies for data sharing, data from a variety of sources can raise issues with standardization, privacy and ownership (Wallace, Bargeron, ZIska & Dukes, 2014 ). Liu (2012) identified data quality and user privacy as the two biggest issues for EDDMapS and similar applications.

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More resources for tools and training can be found at:  https://www.eddmaps.org/florida/tools/

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Bargeron, C. T., & Moorhead, D. J. (2007). EDDMapS—early detection and distribution mapping system for the southeast exotic pest plant council. Wildland weeds, 10, 4-8.

Liu, T. (2013). Internet-based public participation GIS in environmental management.

Wallace, R. D., Bargeron, C. T., Ziska, L., & Dukes, J. (2014). Identifying invasive species in real time: early detection and distribution mapping system (EDDMapS) and other mapping tools. Invasive species and global climate change, 4, 219.