Invasive Exotic Plant Monitoring at Homestead National Monument of America Year 2 (2009)
Young CC, Short MF, Morrison LW, Gross CS, Haack JL. 2010. Invasive Exotic Plant Monitoring at Homestead National Monument of America Year 2 (2009). Natural Resource Technical Report. NPS/HTLN/NRTR—2010/444. Natural Resource Program Center, Fort Collins, Colorado
During surveys in 2006 and 2009, we documented 14 invasive exotic plant taxa in the restored prairies and the forest at Homestead National Monument of America. With the exception of climbing nightshade (Solanum dulcamara; identification tentative), all species were known to occur on the park. The most widespread and abundant species in 2009 included smooth brome (Bromus inermis), Osage orange (Maclura pomifera), reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea), and white mulberry (Morus alba). These species covered at least 4, 1, 0.6, and 0.6 acres, respectively. Overall, the majority of species (75%) showed decreasing trends in maximum abundance. Bluegrass (Poa spp.) was an exception to this trend and showed relatively high increases in frequency and abundance. Fire normally controls bluegrass and is the preferred treatment given that chemicals designed to reduce bluegrass will also kill native warm season grasses. With the exception of bluegrass, smooth brome, and reed canarygrass, which are notoriously difficult to control, many of the other invasive plant species are relatively easily controlled as needed. These species generally occur at such low abundance that on-going park efforts to control these species are likely to be very effective. The information presented in this report may be used to plan management activities leading to control of exotic plants and the accomplishment of GPRA goal IA1.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Young, Craig; Short, Mary; Morrison, Lloyd; Gross, Chad; Haack, Jennifer
- Date of Issue
- 2010-04
- Units
- HOME , HTLN , NRSS
- Keywords
- HTLN Exotic Plant Monitoring, Vegetation Invasive Exotic Plants Monitoring Reports