Invasive exotic plant monitoring at Dinosaur National Monument, 2009
Perkins DW. 2010. Invasive exotic plant monitoring at Dinosaur National Monument, 2009. Natural Resource Technical Report. NPS/NCPN/NRTR—2010/353. Natural Resource Program Center. Fort Collins, Colorado
This report describes the invasive exotic plant monitoring conducted in Dinosaur National Monument in 2009. Invasive exotic plant (IEP) species are a significant threat to natural ecosystem integrity and biodiversity, and controlling them is a high priority for the National Park Service. The Northern Colorado Plateau Network (NCPN) selected the early detection of IEPs as one of 10 monitoring protocols to be implemented as part of its long-term monitoring program. This report represents work completed on June 18, 2009, at Dinosaur National Monument (DINO), by the Desert Ecology class from Mesa State College. This class tested the “Monitoring Lite” procedures, which collect data on IEPs in a manner similar to that of the routine monitoring, but are designed for individuals who recognize only a few IEP species. Invasive plants on the search list included Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense), perennial pepperweed (Lepidium latifolium), tamarisk (Tamarix spp.), Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia), Russianknapweed (Centaurea repens), leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula), and teasel (Dipsacus fullonum). All species except teasel and leafy spurge were detected in 326 infestations along 20.8 km of the Green River. Comparisons between these surveys and surveys done in 2002 and 2003 clearly show reduced tamarisk and Russian olive infestations in areas where these species were targeted for management. The NCPN will return to DINO in 2010 with network crews to begin implementing IEP monitoring.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Perkins, Dustin
- Date of Issue
- 2010-07
- Publisher
- Natural Resource Program Center
- Units
- DINO , NCPN , NRSS
- Keywords
- Exotic Species, Exotic/Invasive Species - Plants, Invasive Species, Monitoring, NCPN Invasive Plants Monitoring, Plant Studies