Invasive plant management for Kenai Fjords National Park: 2010 Summary report

Kurtz, Deborah

This report describes the work performed by the Alaska Exotic Plant Management Team at Kenai Fjords National Park during the 2010 field season. This marks the seventh season that Kenai Fjords National Park has monitored and controlled for invasive plants according to the Alaska Exotic Plant Management Team protocol. This year’s team included one biological technician, one Student Conservation Association intern and one Youth Conservation Corps intern with three weeks of assistance from a Southeast Alaska Guidance Association AmeriCorps crew. As with previous seasons, invasive plant management efforts were focused in the Exit Glacier area. Several locations along the coastal area of the park were also surveyed including Nuka Bay, McCarty Fjord, Two Arm Bay, Northwestern Lagoon, Aialik Bay, and beaches near Yalik and Bear Glaciers. Invasive plants were surveyed and mapped using a Trimble GeoXT Global Positioning System and treated with manual control efforts. A total of 2,617 pounds of invasive plants were pulled in the park this field season. 55.9 species acres of Kenai Fjords National Park managed lands and 5.9 species acres of lands outside the park boundaries were surveyed. 5.5 acres of invasive plant infestations were mapped. 3.4 acres of invasive plants were treated. Monitoring and control efforts should continue at Kenai Fjords National Park to prevent the further spread of existing and introduction of new invasive plant species and to keep native ecosystems intact.

Invasive plant management for Kenai Fjords National Park: 2010 Summary report

Series