Easier than it looks!

Click here to download a copy of the instructions
*It may be helpful to have a printed copy while entering data

Directions for Online Submission of IPANE Forms

1. Go to http://invasives.eeb.uconn.edu/ipane/
2. Click on the " Volunteers " link at the top of the page
3. Click on the "Online Reporting Form" link on the left, and then "Login"
4. Enter your Username and Password in their respective boxes and click "Submit" (if you don't remember your Username and/or Password please email ipane@uconn.edu)
5. Click on "Enter Data"
6. If the form you are entering is a TERRESTRIAL FORM click the button to the immediate left of "Yes" to select it (a black circle should appear inside it). If you are entering an AQUATIC FORM click the button to the immediate left of "No" to select it (a black circle should appear inside it); the instructions that follow are for terrestrial forms, however the aquatic data entry form will be almost identical, with only the fields pertaining to habitat characteristics being different
7. If you have been assigned a quad to survey, a list of site codes will appear under "Assignment Area Site Code ". Click on the site where the plot is located to highlight/select it (a dark box will appear around the site name and the text will turn white); if the plot is not located in any of the listed sites or if you surveyed outside your assigned quad select " None "
8. Under "State" select the state where the plot is located by clicking on it to highlight it and then click "Submit"
9. Under "County" select the county where the plot is located by clicking on it to highlight it and then click "Submit"
10. Under "Town" select the town where the plot is located by clicking on it to highlight it and then click "Submit"
11. Under "Minor Designation" select the nearest locality to the plot (i.e. the name of a hill, a village, etc.) that will help to locate it by clicking on it to highlight it; if none of the listed places are near the plot select "No Match" by clicking on it; click "Submit"
12. Under "Locality" type in the box a description that will help someone to locate the plot (found under "Locality" on your IPANE form); in the rare case when there is no locality on your IPANE for type "Blank" in this box
13. Under "Date Observed" enter the date the plot was created in the following format: MM/DD/YYYY (please note the slashes are required)
14. Under "How did you measure your coordinates" select (click) the button to the immediate left of "Map" if you used a map to determine the coordinates of the plot or select the button to the immediate left of "GPS" if you used GPS to determine the coordinates of the plot
15. Under "Which datum did you use or was used on the map" use the scroll bar (click on the downward pointing arrow next to "Select") to select the datum (i.e. NAD27, NAD83, WGS84) that was used (click on it to highlight) (**NOTE** It may be helpful to identify the datum utilized by the map(s) or GPS unit you are using BEFORE you actually do your sampling. If you have any difficulty or questions please consult the training manual. If you are using TopoZone.com to determine your coordinates, please make sure you pay attention to the datum you are using.)
16. If your coordinates are in DECIMAL DEGREES (for example 42.3345 N and -72.3345 W), enter the Latitude under " Latitude in decimal degrees " and the Longitude under " Longitude in decimal degrees "; if your coordinates are NOT in decimal degrees leave these fields blank
17. If your coordinates are in DEGREES, MINUTES, SECONDS (for example 42°32'05" N and -72°50'21" W), enter the Latitude under "Latitude in Degrees Minute Seconds" and the Longitude under "Longitude in Degrees Minute Seconds"; if your coordinates are NOT in degrees, minutes, seconds leave these fields blank
18. If your coordinates are in DEGREES and DECIMAL MINUTES (for example 42°32.332' and -72°50.228') you can convert them to Decimal Degrees by using the following:
A. Divide the MINUTES.MINUTES by 60 (the result should be a decimal number less than 1)
B. Add the number obtained in part A to the DEGREES to obtain the equivalent coordinate in decimal degrees
C. Example - if your coordinate was 42 degrees and 39.807 minutes, you would divide 39.807 by 60 (which is 0.66345) and then add that to 42 for a resulting coordinate in decimal degrees of 42.66345
19. Under "Altitude" enter the altitude of the plot in FEET (If your altitude is in meters you can use the converter at http://www.onlineconversion.com/length_common.htm to change it from meters to feet)
20. Under "Comments from the bottom of the first page" enter any comments or notes from the "Comments" section of the form in the box; if there are no comments leaves the box blank
21. Click "Submit"
22. Select the "Habitat" by clicking on the button to the immediate left of the corresponding habitat (i.e. Field/Forest); in the rare case that none of the habitats listed matches the habitat of the plot and you must select "Other," please consult the training manual
23. Under "Is this plot along a trailside?" click the button to the immediate left of "Yes" if the plot is located along a trailside or the button to the immediate left of "No" if the plot is NOT located along a trailside
24. Under "Canopy Closure" click on the button that corresponds to the canopy closure of the plot
25. Under "Aspect" click on the button that corresponds to the aspect of the plot
26. Under "Soil Moisture" click on the button that corresponds to the soil moisture of the plot
27. Click "Submit"
28. Under "Species" use the scroll bar to locate your first invasive species (from the back of your IPANE form) and click on it to highlight it; if no invasives were found in the plot (it is a "Negative Plot") select "No invasives" from the list and click on the "There are no invasive species" button at the top left of the page (this will bring you to step #35)
29. Under "Abundance" use the scroll bar to locate the corresponding abundance for the species entered in step 28
30. Under "Distribution" use the scroll bar to locate the corresponding distribution for the species entered in step 28
31. Under "Percent Cover" use the scroll bar to locate the corresponding percent cover for the species entered in step 28
32. Under "Reproduction" click the boxes to the immediate left of all of the types of reproduction that apply to the species entered in step 28 (if none of the choices were observed leave the boxes unchecked)
33. Under "Documentation" use the scroll bar to locate the corresponding type of documentation (i.e. specimen or photograph) for the species entered in step 28; if there is no documentation select "None"
34. If you have another species to enter (for this plot) click on the "Enter another species" button and repeat steps 28-33; if this is the last species to enter (for this plot) click on the "This is the last species" button
35. Under "Associated Vegetation" type any associated vegetation in the box; if you did not record any leave the box blank
36. Click ONCE ONLY on the "Submit" button and wait patiently for the next page to come up with an electronic submission number (note: after you hit this submit button you cannot go back and make changes to this form; instead contact IPANE staff if you need to make changes)
37. *****This step is extremely important***** Write down the Electronic Submission Number in the TOP RIGHT CORNER of your IPANE form under "Electronic Submission Number" and also WRITE THIS NUMBER ON ALL SPECIMENS AND/OR PHOTOGRAPHS PERTAINING TO THIS PLOT
38. If you have another form to enter click "Another form" and repeat steps 6-37; if this is your last form click "Logout"