Search and destroy: a new tool in the war on weeds

摘要

The New Zealand Department of Conservation (DOC) has developed a new tool to record search paths and herbicide usage. The unit combines a flow meter with an accurate GPS and records daily search paths and the volume of herbicide dispensed at each location in a single .gpx file. Once switched on, all data recording is completely hands-free, and is being widely used to record operations. Once operations are complete, the data are easily uploaded into DOC's Weeds application, an on-line GIS-based tool that allows DOC staff to record all weed control in a consistent way. Once entered, data are available to all staff, which enables more effective planning over very large tracts of land administered for conservation.