Ramajayam, Biodiversity Conservation
The focus of this workshop was on identifying invasive alien plant species and mapping them using the iNaturalist mobile application. A full-day training workshop for barefoot ecologists was held on January 21, 2026, at the Keystone campus. This session emphasized early detection, citizen science, and community participation in managing invasive species and protecting ecosystems.
This initiative helped participants develop practical skills, and also generated real time data for conservation efforts. Fifteen participants actively engaged in classroom training and real-time mapping of areas infested with invasive plants on the Keystone campus.
Field Visit Highlights:
- On-ground identification of invasive alien plant species, including:
Lantana camara
Eupatorium adenaphorum
Ageratum conyzoides,
Leucas aspera
Crassocephalum crepidioides - Understanding their spread and impact on native ecosystems
- Recording observations using iNaturalist
Conclusion:
Ultimately, the one-day workshop successfully enhanced the capacity of Barefoot Ecologists (BFE) to identify and map invasive alien plant species using the iNaturalist platform. Participants learned how to document invasive species in their home sites, collect accurate field data, and upload observations for proper identification. Through hands-on field visits and mapping exercises, participants gained practical exposure to understanding the spread and distribution of invasive plants. Overall, the workshop strengthened community-based monitoring and promoted the use of citizen science tools for effective invasive species management and ecological conservation.
