Create an ArcGIS Dashboard - Invasive Species in Wild Rice Beds (Minnesota)

Wild rice (Zizania palustris), known as "manoomin" in Ojibwe, holds deep cultural, spiritual, and nutritional significance for many Tribal Nations in Minnesota. It is a sacred plant central to traditional lifeways, ceremonies, and food systems. Protecting wild rice beds from environmental threats - including invasive species - is critical to preserving Indigenous sovereignty, heritage, and the health of ecosystems that support Native communities.

Objective:

The objective of this article is to guide you through the complete process of creating an interactive ArcGIS Dashboard from scratch using a realistic, seasonal dataset on the presence and absence of invasive aquatic species in wild rice beds across Minnesota. This article aims to demonstrate the full functionality of dashboards - including maps, indicators, charts, lists, and selectors - while showcasing how such a tool can support environmental monitoring, decision-making, and public awareness efforts tied to a native plant conservation and invasive species management.

Software requirement(s):

  • ArcGIS Online (Map Viewer)
  • ArcGIS Dashboard

Data Download

Download the following CSV file (invasive_species_wild_rice_mn.csv) and save it into a meaningful location https://tribalgis-my.sharepoint.com/:x:/p/sarques/EaBuFUYOH2pAqFE5CZjQKx8BIPDSRNOPe2moj38MZu3zbg?e=mTRZi5

Disclaimer: The dataset included in this article is entirely fictional and created solely for training and demonstration purposes. While it references real geographic locations and commonly known invasive aquatic species in Minnesota, the data does not represent actual survey results nor reflect the status of wild rice beds. Please do not use this dataset for scientific, regulatory, or decision-making purposes.

Step 1: Start a Dashboard

  1. Go to: https://www.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards
  2. Sign in with your organization credentials or provided Tribal GIS credentials.
  3. Click "Create dashboard" (Top right)

  1. Title, Tags, and Summary
  • Title: "Building an ArcGIS Dashboard to Monitor Invasive Species in Wild Rice Beds - A Minnesota Case Study"
  • Tags: ArcGIS Dashboard, Invasive Species, Wild Rice, Tribal Lands, Minnesota, Seasonal Data, Aquatic Invasives. Hit the Enter key after each tag.
  • Summary: "This tutorial walks you through building an interactive ArcGIS Dashboard from scratch using a fictional dataset on invasive aquatic species in wild rice beds across Minnesota. Designed for educational and training purposes, the tutorial demonstrates how to visualize seasonal presence/absence data with charts, maps, indicators, and filters. It highlights the ecological and cultural importance of wild rice to Tribal Nations and shows how GIS dashboards can support informed environmental management and community outreach. The dataset used is entirely fictional and created solely for instructional use".
  • Folder: Your organization's root folder. Mine is sarques_tribalgis.

  • Click Create dashboard (bottom right).

  • Expand the left panel (bottom left)

Left Panel Options

1 - Add Element

This is your toolbox for building out the dashboard. Each option adds a different kind of widget (a functional visual element):

  • Map – Embed a web map you’ve already created in Map Viewer (your spatial foundation).
  • Indicator – Displays a big number or statistic (e.g., # of sites with invasives).
  • Gauge – Circular visual to show progress toward a threshold.
  • Serial Chart – Bar or line charts for trends over time or categories.
  • Pie Chart – Shows proportions (e.g., species breakdown).
  • List – Displays entries from the dataset (e.g., recent survey results).
  • Details – Shows rich text or pop-up info about a selected feature.
  • Embedded Content – Pull in other web content like a Survey123 form.
  • Selectors – Dropdowns, sliders, or buttons to filter your entire dashboard.

👉 You'll use these the most to build your interactive dashboard.

2 - View

This is where you configure dashboard views for different devices or users.

You can:

  • Switch between desktop and mobile layouts.
  • Set up different views for different audiences (e.g., public vs internal users).

3 - Theme

Customize the look and feel of your dashboard:

  • Light or Dark mode
  • Accent colors
  • Background color and text style

⚠️ Pro Tip: Keep your theme consistent with your map basemap (e.g., light theme with a topographic map).

4 - Time

Use this if your layer includes date/time data (like Survey_Date) and you want to add:

  • Time sliders
  • Animations to show how data changes over time

You can configure it to play through seasons or years automatically.

5 - Region

This is optional but helpful if your data is regionalized. You can:

  • Set spatial extents for filters
  • Tie selectors or filters to a region field (e.g., “Tribal Region,” “Watershed”)

This makes your dashboard adaptable to multiple geographic areas.

6 - Save

⚠️ Click this often! It saves your layout and configurations.

Step 2: Prepare and Add Your Map

  • In the left panel, select Layers.
  • Click on the drop-down menu next to Add and select "Add layer from file"

  • Select Your Device and browse to where you saved "invasive_species_wild_rice_mn.csv"

  • Select your file and click Open

  • On the next window, select "Create a hosted feature layer and add it to the map"
  • Click Next

  • Select the fields that will be included in your hosted feature layer. Select all the fields (9)
  • Click on Next

  • For the Location Settings, accept the default Location fields (Latitude and Longitude)
  • Click on Next

  • Title: "Invasive Species in Wild Rice Beds_Minnesota_Training_Dataset"
  • Tags (hit the Enter key after each tag): Aquatic Invasives, Invasives Species, Wild Rice, Seasonal Data, Minnesota, Tribal Lands, GIS Training, Environmental Monitoring, ArcGIS Dashboard
  • Summary: "This map displays a fictional dataset of invasive species observations across wild rice beds in Minnesota, recorded during seasonal surveys. It is designed for use in training and demonstration environments, especially in the development of ArcGIS Dashboards to support environmental monitoring, data visualization, and public awareness. The dataset includes presence/absence data, species names, survey seasons, and locations near known wild rice regions."
  • Click Create and add to map

  • Style your map
    • Select Styles in the right panel

You may need to select your layer to display the right panel's options/tools.

    • In the Styles' pane, click on + Field
    • Select the Presence field and click Add

    • Pick a Style, select Style options

    • Symbolize by Presence (No = red, Yes = green)
    • Click on Done twice

  • Let's rename our layer "Invasive Species in Wild Rice Beds (Minnesota)"
    • In the left panel, click on the Overflow to display the Options
    • Click on Rename
    • Click OK

  • Save your Map
    • In the left panel, click on the Save and open and Save as

    • Title: "Invasive Species in Wild Rice Beds (Minnesota) - Training Dataset"
    • Tags (hit the Enter key after each tag): Aquatic Invasives, Invasives Species, Wild Rice, Seasonal Data, Minnesota, Tribal Lands, GIS Training, Environmental Monitoring, ArcGIS Dashboard
    • Summary: "This map display a fictional dataset of invasive species observations across wild rice beds in Minnesota, recorded during seasonal surveys. It is designed for use in training and demonstration environments, especially in the development of ArcGIS Dashboards to support environmental monitoring, data visualization, and public awareness. The dataset includes presence/absence data, species names, survey seasons, and locations near known wild rice regions."
    • Click Save

  • Return to your Dashboard
  • In the left panel, click Add Element. Alternatively, click on the + button in the middle of the dashboard.
  • Choose Map, and select your saved web map and add it to your layout

  • Settings: This tab controls how your map looks and behaves inside the dashboard. I chose to display the Scalebar as a Line, and I enabled all the other settings.

  • General: Controls the basic layout and title of the map widget. Use this to provide context or instructions. I'll accept the default settings.

  • Map Actions: These define how this map interacts with other dashboard elements.

There are no elements (Indicator, list, pie chart...) supporting actions yet. Once you add one of those, they should be listed as options to filter, zoom, flash...Check the Filter box next to the element you want the map to control.

  • Layer Actions: Lets you configure interactions specific to individual layers on your map.
    • When map is clicked: This is where you decide what happens when a user clicks a feature on your map.
    • Show pop-up: When enabled, clicking a feature show the pop-up you've configured in the web map (like site name, species, presence, data). Useful when your map has multiple layers (e.g., invasive species + water quality stations).
    • Select feature: This is how you trigger dashboard actions, like filtering other elements (lists, charts, etc.) based on the selected feature. Requires you to set up Layer Actions.

You'll want to enable both if you want to click to show info and filter the rest of the dashboard.


    • Additional Selection Tools: These are advanced tools to allow users to select multiple features at once. Use these if your dashboard users want to analyze groups of features at once (like selecting all spring surveys in a region).

  • Accessibility: Helps you make the dashboard more accessible to all users. It could describe what the map is showing (for screen readers): "Map showing locations of invasive species detections in wild rice lakes across Minnesota, color-coded by presence."

  • Click Done, at the bottom right when you are done.

Step 3: Add Key Indicators

Add elements like Indicator widgets to summarize metrics such as number of invasive detections or surveys completed.

  • Go to Add Element > Indicator

  • Set the layer: Left click on "Invasive Species in Wild Rice Beds (Minnesota)" to open the Indicator settings/options.

  • Data tab: This is where you define what your indicator is measuring.
    • Filter: Use this to narrow the data the indicator looks at. Apply filter Presence = Yes to count only invasive detections.
    • Value type: Statistic
    • Set statistic: Count (total number of matching features)
    • Field: Presence (this one is only needed if you want to break the stat into groups - usually leave this blank for a simple count).
    • Reference type: None

  • Indicator tab: This controls what the indicator looks like and how it displays the number. Use it to make the stat understandable at a glance.
    • Main Text: The big label (Active Invasives Detected). You can also change the text size and color.
    • Middle Text: The number (auto-filled based on your data).
    • Bottom Text (optional): Add context like "As of 2024" or "Filtered by Spring".
    • Icons and/or colors (optional): Add symbols or change colors based on thresholds (like red if count >20). Click on Change next to Icon to choose an icon.

  • General tab: Controls the widget's title and visibility in the dashboard.
    • Header (Title): Only use this if your dashboard layout has space for small headers above indicator. Otherwise, it can feel redundant if your main indicator text already says what the number represents.
    • Use it if you are showing multiple indicators side by side and want a compact title above each one. Suggested header examples: 2024 Surveys, Invasives Detected, Spring Season Totals, Survey Count.

If you already have clear main text inside the indicator (like "Active Invasives Detected"), you can skip the header to keep it clean.

    • Settings Section:
      • Indicator Name: Internal name for your reference only. Does not show on the dashboard. I used "Invasives Detected".
      • Top Caption: This is the label above the number (sometimes called "main text" in other tools). Use it to clearly state what the number is showing. This is what most people will read first.
      • Bottom Caption: This is a smaller, supportive line of text underneath the number. Use it for context or filter info. We do need to provide a filtering context so let's add "All survey records (total across all years and seasons)" as a bottom caption.

Since our Top Text inside the Indicator tab already say "Active Invasives detected", there is no need to duplicate that in the Top Caption. Same goes for the Bottom Caption - only use it if you need to provide extra filtering context (like season or year).

  • Accessibility (screen Reader text): This is what a screen reader will read aloud to describe the indicator. It should summarize what the number means, ideally with the current value included if possible. Good practice, especially if you are sharing publicly or want your dashboard to be inclusive.
    • Accessible Name: "Indicator showing 45 active invasive species detections across all survey records."

  • Click Done (bottom right) when you are finished.

  • Save your dashboard.

🔁 Repeat to add a second Indicator:

    • Filter: Year = 2024
    • Main Text: “Surveys Completed This Year”
    • Reorganize your elements (Hint: You can drag your elements)
    • Save your dashboard

Step 4: Add a Pie Chart (Species Breakdown)

Use a pie chart to show the proportion of each invasive species detected in the dataset.

  • Add Element > Pie Chart

  • Select your layer: Left click on "Invasive Species in Wild Rice Beds (Minnesota)" to open the indicator settings/options.

  • Pie Chart Options:
    • Data tab: This is where you define what the pie chart represents. It will show a breakdown of which invasive species have been detected.
      • Data Source: Choose your wild rice invasives layer.
      • Filter (optional): You could use it to only show species that were actually present. Add filter Presence = Yes.
      • Category field: Pick the field you want to group by (Grouped Values). Use Species_Name to break the chart into slices by species.
      • Statistic: Select Count (most common) - counts how many times each species appears.

You can use Sum or Average if you have numeric values (e.g., severity), but usually Count is prefect here.

      • Sort by: Add a field and select Species_Name.

    • Chart tab: Controls the overall appearance. I'll leave most of the settings by default. However, I increased the labels' font size to 14.

    • Slices tab: Allows you to customize the appearance of individual slices.
      • You can assign colors manually to each species if you want (optional).
      • Set specific label text or formatting (e.g., show counts instead of percentages).

Use this if you want to emphasize certain species or keep color consistent across dashboards.

      • I'll keep the default settings.

    • General tab: Allows you to customize the General options.
      • Header (Title): "Detected Aquatic Invasive Species in MN Wild Rice Beds (2022 - 2024)"
      • Settings (Name): "Distribution of Invasive Species"
      • Accept all other options by default.

    • Actions tab: If you need your chart to filter other widgets (like the map or lists).
      • Selection Mode: Choose Single
  • Single Selection Mode
    • The user can choose only one value at a time (e.g., either Spring or Summer, but not both)
    • Useful for focused filtering or when the options are mutually exclusive
    • Great for simple "one-at-a-time" browsing
    • Best for: Seasonal selector, Year selector or site selector
  • Multiple Selection Mode
    • The user can choose several values at once (e.g., see both Spring and Fall data together)
    • Filters dashboard elements to include all selected values
    • Adds flexibility for users who want to compare or explore multiple subsets at once
    • Best for: Comparing multiple seasons at once, showing trends across a few selected years

Tips

Use Single is you are building for clarity and simplicity (especially for public or non-GIS audiences)

Use Multiple if you want users to explore and compare complex data slices.

      • When Selection changes:
        • Filter: Enable the Layer "Invasive Species in Wild Rice Beds (Minnesota)" and "Invasives Detected". Leave "Render only when filtered" unchecked.

Render only when filtered

If you check "Render only when filtered":

  • The element (e.g., a chart, list, or indicator) will appear empty or hidden until the user selects something like "Summer".
  • It's useful when you want to force users to make a selection before seeing results.
  • Helps with performance if the full dataset is large or complex.
  • DO NOT USE it if you want your dashboard to show something immediately when it loads and/or it your users might not know to click a filter first (less intuitive).

If you leave it unchecked:

  • The element will display data for all records by default (unfiltered view).
  • Users can then refine it using the selector.
  • This is better if you want to show an overview by default.
        • Flash, Pan, and Zoom: Enable "Invasive Species in Wild Rice Beds (Minnesota) - Training Dataset".

    • Accessibility (Screen reader): Set an alt-text description so screen readers can interpret your chart.
      • Accessible Name: "Pie chart showing the distribution of invasive species detected in wild rice beds across Minnesota from 2022 to 2024."

  • Click Done (bottom right) when you are finished and Save you dashboard.

Step 5: Add a Serial Chart to Visualize Seasonal Trends

The Serial Chart is a powerful visualization tool that helps identify patterns and trends in invasive species detections over time. By displaying survey results across different seasons and years, the chart enables users to easily compare when and how frequently invasive species have been observed in wild rice beds. This type of chart is ideal for spotting seasonal spikes, monitoring long-term changes, and supporting decisions about when to focus monitoring or mitigation efforts.

  • Click on the + Add button (left panel) > Serial Chart
  • Add it on the right side of the Pie Chart

  • Select your Layer "Invasive Species in Wild Rice Beds (Minnesota)"
  • Data tab:
    • Filter: Add Presence = Yes
    • Categories from: Set to Grouped values
    • Category field: Set to Survey_Season
    • Do not enable Sparse dates

Sparse Dates (or Sparse Date Values) refer to date fields that do not have entries for every record, or dates that are infrequently or irregularly spaced across your dataset. Sparse dates can cause gaps in charts or incomplete filtering.

If your dataset has complete and consistent date values - or if you are not using a time slider or animation - then you don't need to enable anything special for sparse date.

The training dataset has well-structured categorical data instead of irregular timestamps, so you are totally good to go without worrying about sparse data handling here.

    • Split by field: Set to Year
    • Statistic: Set to Count

  • Chart tab:
    • Text color: Set to Black
    • Font size: Set to 14
    • Legend: Enable Visibility
    • Legend placement: Set to Left

  • Category axis tab:
    • Title: write Season
    • Title size: Set to 14
    • Do not enable Zoom and scroll
    • Leave Labels, Axis, and Grid by default

  • Value axis tab:
    • Title: write "Recorded Invasive Species"
    • Title size: Set to 14
    • Min and Max values: Set to Automatic
    • Leave all the other options by default

  • Guides tab:

Guides are optional visual aids that help users interpret values more easily. Think of them like reference lines or zones that highlight thresholds, targets, or warning levels.

If you set a guide at value 5 (presence of 5 invasive species), and your chart shows detections by seasons, it becomes easy to see which seasons crossed the threshold.

    • Type: Set to Single
    • Value: Set to 5
    • Label: Write "Critical Threshold"
    • Hover text: Write "Threshold exceeded: Consider intervention"
    • Text color: Set to Black
    • Position: Set to Right
    • Display: Set to Front
    • Line color: Set to Orange
    • Line Thickness: Set to 3

  • Series tab:
    • Leave all options by default

  • General tab:
    • Header (Title): Write "Seasonal Trends in Invasive Species Observations"
    • Summarized data download: Set to Enable
    • Settings (Name): Write "Seasonal Trends in Invasive Species Observations"
    • Bottom caption: Write "Only includes presence = yes (confirmed detections)"
    • Last update text: Set to Enable
    • Leave the other options by default

  • Actions tab: If you need your chart to filter other widgets (like the map or lists).
    • Selection Mode: Choose Single
    • When Selection changes:
      • Filter: Enable "Distribution of Invasives Species", the Layer "Invasive Species in Wild Rice Beds (Minnesota)" and "Invasives Detected". Leave "Render only when filtered" unchecked.
      • Flash, Pan, and Zoom: Enable "Invasive Species in Wild Rice Beds (Minnesota) - Training Dataset".

  • Accessibility (Screen reader): Set an alt-text description so screen readers can interpret your chart.
    • Accessible Name: "Bar chart showing confirmed invasive species detections in Minnesota wild rice beds, grouped by season and year between 2022 and 2024. Each bar represents the number of presence records reported during surveys."

  • Click Done (bottom right) when you are finished and Save you dashboard.

Test your dashboard by selecting different seasons or years to see how the pie chart and serial chart update to reflect invasive species detections across time and species.

  • Example for Spring 2023

  • Example for Fall 2023

Step 6: Style Your Dashboard

Adjust themes, colors, layout, and add titles or section headers for clarity.

  • In the left panel, click on Theme
  • Let's switch to a Dark Theme
  • Save your dashboard

  • At the bottom of the left panel, select Customize selected theme

  • Colors: Set to default
  • Style (Corners): Set to Round
  • Style (Spacing): Set to Spacious
  • Typography (Font): Set to Avenir Next
  • Save your dashboard

Step 7: Time and Region

  • Set Time zone to your Device time zone



Congratulations! You've successfully built an interactive ArcGIS Dashboard to visualize invasive species detections in Minnesota's wild rice beds. You can now share your dashboard with others by setting the appropriate access permissions - whether it's for internal use, organizational sharing, or public outreach. To take your dashboard a step further, you can enable real-time data collection by integration tools like Survey123 or Field Maps, allowing field crews to submit mobile survey data that feeds directly into your dashboard for up-to-date visualization and decision-making.


Resource(s)

The information on key invasive species in Minnesota was sourced from reputable organizations dedicated to monitoring and managing aquatic invasive species in the state.

Here are some of the primary references:

  • Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR):

The DNR provides comprehensive resources on invasive aquatic animals affecting Minnesota's waterways. They highlight species such as banded mystery snails, bighead carp, black carp, and bloody red shrimp. https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/

  • Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center (MAISRC):

MAISRC offers detailed information on various aquatic invasive species, including common carp, spiny water fleas, and curly-leaf pondweed. They focus on research and management strategies to combat these invasives. https://maisrc.umn.edu/

  • Minnesota Coalition of Lake Associations (MN COLA):

MN COLA discusses challenges posed by invasive aquatic plants like curly-leaf pondweed, Eurasian watermilfoil, and starry stonewort, particularly their impact on navigation and recreation. https://mncola.org/

  • Invasive.org, Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health:

Invasive.org is a comprehensive online resource dedicated to providing information and images related to invasive and exotic species in North America. It serves as a collaborative project involving organizations such as the University of Georgia's Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health, USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, and the USDA Forest Service. The website offers a wealth of resources, including species profiles, high-quality images, publications, maps, and educational materials aimed at assisting with the identification, early detection, prevention, and management of invasive species. Its extensive database covers various categories of invasive organisms, such as plants, insects, pathogens, and other species, making it a valuable tool for researchers, educators, and the general public interested in protecting native ecosystems from the threats posed by invasive species. https://www.invasive.org/101/index.cfm


These sources collectively provide a comprehensive overview of the invasive species threatening Minnesota's aquatic ecosystems and were instrumental in compiling the list of key invasive species for the ArcGIS Dashboard tutorial.


We hope that this article has been helpful! If you have any feedback or questions, please feel free to send us an email or connect with us for a chat. The NTGISC team is here to assist you further!

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