Invasive exotic plant monitoring in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Curecanti National Recreation Area: 2011 field season
Perkins D. 2012. Invasive exotic plant monitoring in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Curecanti National Recreation Area: 2011 field season. Natural Resource Technical Report. NPS/NCPN/NRTR—2012/575. National Park Service. Fort Collins, Colorado
This report describes the invasive exotic plant monitoring conducted in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Curecanti National Recreation Area in 2011. 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 at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park (BLCA) and Curecanti National Recreation Area (CURE) during 2011. Over 84 km were monitored along the shores of Blue Mesa Reservoir, along the South Rim Road, and along Deadhorse Trail from July 5 to August 21, 2011. Twenty-nine IEP species were detected on monitoring routes and transects. Of these, 15 were priority species, accounting for 704 separate infestations. Canada thistle (Breea arvensis), musk thistle (Carduus nutans), summer cypress (Bassia sieversiana), and Russian thistle (Salsola australis) were the most widespread species found along monitoring routes. Among priority species, summer cypress and Canada thistle had the highest percent cover found in transects along Blue Mesa Reservoir. Only one priority species, cheatgrass (Anisantha tectorum), was found in transects along the South Rim Road, while none were found along Deadhorse Trail. Network staff will return to BLCA and CURE in 2012 to complete the initial rotation of invasive monitoring routes.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Perkins, Dustin
- Date of Issue
- 2012-05
- Publisher
- National Park Service
- Units
- BLCA , CURE , NCPN , NRSS
- Keywords
- Exotic Species, Exotic/Invasive Species - Plants, Invasive Species, Monitoring, NCPN Invasive Plants Monitoring, Plant Studies