Weed Identification and Reporting App for

Smartphones

This project aims to develop an easy-to-use weed iden7fica7on and repor7ng tool that helps
the user to correctly iden7fy and manage weed species listed in the Alberta Weed Control Act.

Most species regulated in the Alberta Weed Control Act are Invasive Alien Species. Invasive
Alien Species (IAS) are species that have been introduced into an area outside their natural
distribu7on. These species have the ability to adapt to their new habitats and oEen lack
natural predators. This allows them to grow in large numbers in the new environment.
Therefore, IAS can severely impact agricultural produc7on and can nega7vely impact
popula7ons of na7ve species and their habitats. Some IAS can also cause nega7ve effects on
human health.

For efficient management of IAS, it is important to prevent or minimize the chance of new
invasions, as well as detect and respond rapidly to newly introduced or already established
popula7ons.

Project Objectives:
Prevent the uninten7onal introduc7on of invasive alien weed species:
The proposed smart phone applica7on will be made publicly available to increase public
awareness and knowledge in Alberta.
Early detec7on of newly introduced invasive alien weed species and finding unknown already established
popula7ons:
An increased awareness in combina7on with aOrac7ve tools and an easy to use repor7ng system is an7cipated to
increase repor7ng ac7vity. This will help to detect new invasive alien species faster and increase knowledge about
the distribu7on of already established invasive species which, in turn, helps to improve efficient management of IAS
invasions.

The applica7on has been developed for the iPhone and is being considered for Android. To download the app, visit the !
Apple Store (h,ps://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/alberta-weed-spo,er/id889877970?mt=8).

Project Partners
Alberta Invasive Species Council
Alberta Na7ve Plant Council
Athabasca University
City of Edmonton
City of St. Albert
Edmonton Naturaliza7on Group
Government of Alberta
Agricultural and Rural Development
Tourism, Parks and Recrea7on

For More Information

Integrated Pest Management

Telephone 311

Email invasiveweeds@edmonton.ca

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