Invasive exotic plant monitoring in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Curecanti National Recreation Area: field seasons 2010–2012
Perkins D. 2013. Invasive exotic plant monitoring in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Curecanti National Recreation Area: field seasons 2010–2012. Natural Resource Technical Report. NPS/NCPN/NRTR—2013/750. National Park Service. Fort Collins, Colorado
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 documents and maps invasive plant infestations detected at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park (BLCA) and Curecanti National Recreation Area (CURE) during 2012. It also summarizes all work completed at the parks from 2010 to 2012 (representing the first full rotation of desired monitoring routes) and presents a rotational panel for future monitoring. From 2010 to 2012, over 275 km were monitored at BLCA and CURE. Thirty-two IEP species were detected on monitoring routes and transects. Of these, 24 were priority species, accounting for 2,936 separate infestations. Canada thistle (Breea arvensis), common mullein (Verbascum thapsus), musk thistle (Carduus nutans), reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea), Russian thistle (Salsola australis), and kochia (Bassia sieversiana) were the most commonly detected priority IEPs. The Gunnison River, shoreline of Blue Mesa Reservoir, and Red Rock Canyon had the highest percent cover of invasive species, with 7.58%, 4.06%, and 2.33%, respectively, as determined by quadrat data. At the Gunnison River and Red Rock Canyon, this percent cover was dominated by reed canarygrass, with cover of 7.58% and 1.67%, respectively. Compared to earlier surveys conducted from 2003 to 2004 at BLCA, the number of infestations declined at the Gunnison River and Red Rock Canyon, stayed about the same along trails as well as the south and north rim roads, and increased along the East Portal Road. Network staff will return to BLCA and CURE in 2014 to begin the second rotation of monitoring.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Perkins, Dustin
- Date of Issue
- 2013-05
- 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