5.1 Inventory/Mapping

Goal: Identify and record specific priority invasive plant species within the Natural Heritage System in London, with a focus on the City’s ESAs, Wetlands, and the Thames Valley Corridor.

Purpose: To create a benchmark for future management activities and ability to monitor the spread and reduction of priority invasive plants within the focus areas.

An invasive plant inventory provides the foundation for all management decisions and supplies critical information including the following details:

• What invasive plant species are present

• Where the invasive plant species located

• Potential vectors/pathways of introduction

• Presence of rare species and/or rare community types

• What control activities have already been taken

• How effective previous control activities were and status of the infestation

The LIPMS will focus on addressing priority invasive plants on City-owned lands. Identifying priority invasive plants found within Natural Heritage Features on City lands will be the focus for City resources, invasive plant inventories and management.

Where feasible, the City will work with partners and owners of significant features and/or large land parcels to coordinate efforts on private lands.