Early detection of invasive species - surveillance monitoring and rapid response: Eastern Rivers and Mountains Network 2011-2012 summary report

Manning, Douglas; Keefer, Jennifer

Since 2008, the Invasive Species Early Detection (ISED) Program of the Eastern Rivers and Mountains Network (ERMN) has surveyed for and detected incipient populations of invasive plants, animals, and diseases in ERMN parks. Early detection of invasive species followed by rapid response can detect and eradicate incipient populations before they have a chance to become widely established; thus eliminating the need for costly and resource-intensive control programs. While long-term changes associated with established invasive species are being monitored through other protocols, the ISED program focuses on new populations of invasive species early in their invasion. Only when invasions are caught early will the chance of eradication remain high. 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. During invasive species early detection surveillance monitoring in 2011, six new invasive plant and pest occurrences were documented at three parks in the ERMN by the vegetation monitoring crew and a NPS Park Biologist. Two early detection species were found in New River Gorge National River. Japanese barberry (Berberis thunbergi) and winged burning-bush (Euonymus alatus) were found by the ERMN vegetation monitoring crew near the Long Point Trail. The NERI Park Biologist was notified and he alerted his invasive species control technician within 24 hours of the initial discovery of the plants. In Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River, the Park Biologist discovered a new infestation of mile-a-minute (Polygonum perfoliatum). Three early detection species were found in Delaware Water Gap National Recreation area. Viburnum leaf beetle (Pyrrhalta viburni) was found by the vegetation monitoring crew, phragmites (Phragmites australis) was found by the Park Biologist, and mile-a-minute was found growing along utility rows by a contractor. Invasive species early detection monitoring in 2012 found six new invasive plant and pest occurrences in the ERMN parks. Two early detection species were found at Friendship Hill National Historic Site. Lesser celandine (Ranunculus ficaria) was discovered by the ERMN Hydrologic Technician and Data Manager in March and the vegetation monitoring crew found jetbead (Rhodotypus scandens) in July. Mile-a-minute (Polygonum perfoliatum) was discovered along the Delaware River in Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area by the vegetation monitoring crew. Two patches of Chinese yam (Dioscorea oppositifolia) were found at Bluestone National Scenic River by the vegetation monitoring crew and by NPS invasive species control technicians. Sweet autumn virginsbower (Clematis terniflora) was found in New River Gorge National River during data collection for the ERMN rare riparian plant community monitoring. Didymo (Didymosphenia geminate) was found in the Delaware River at Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area by a NPS Biologist. Score cards, which summarize the record of invasive species detections and rapid responses in each ERMN park from 2008–2012, are provided in the Appendix.

Early detection of invasive species - surveillance monitoring and rapid response: Eastern Rivers and Mountains Network 2011-2012 summary report

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