Early Detection of Invasive Species: Surveillance Monitoring and Rapid Response: Eastern Rivers and Mountains Network Summary Report 2010

Keefer, Jennifer

Early detection monitoring of incipient invasive plants, animals, and diseases was ranked among the top priorities in the Eastern Rivers and Mountains Network (ERMN) in the vital signs selection process due to the clear identification of and concern about the effects these organisms can have on park ecosystems. The known ecological impacts of invasive species include loss of threatened and endangered species, altered structure and composition of terrestrial and aquatic communities, and reduction in overall species diversity. While long-term changes associated with invasive species are being monitored through other protocols, it is also critical to catch new populations of invasive species early in their invasion of new and sensitive habitats. Only when invasions are caught early will the chance of eradication remain high. During invasive species early detection surveillance monitoring in 2010, four new invasive plant and pest occurrences were documented at two parks in the ERMN by the vegetation monitoring crew and Jeff Shreiner, park biologist. Two new occurrences of mile-a-minute (Polygonum perfoliatum) and one of linden arrowwood (Viburnum dilatatum) were detected at Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and one occurrence of viburnum leaf beetle (Pyrrhalta viburni) was detected at Johnstown Flood National Memorial. In response to the two mile-a-minute detections, 5,000 Chinese weevils (Rhinoncomimus latipes) were released as biological control agents. The viburnum leaf beetle discovery in Cambria County, Pennsylvania, provided the opportunity to focus on site management implications at the new Flight 93 National Memorial in adjacent Somerset County, Pennsylvania.

Early Detection of Invasive Species: Surveillance Monitoring and Rapid Response: Eastern Rivers and Mountains Network Summary Report 2010

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