Invasive exotic plant monitoring in Fossil Butte National Monument: field seasons 2008–2012
Perkins D. 2013. Invasive exotic plant monitoring in Fossil Butte National Monument: field seasons 2008–2012. Natural Resource Technical Report. NPS/NCPN/NRTR—2013/751. National Park Service. Fort Collins, Colorado
This report represents invasive exotic plant monitoring work completed during 2012 at Fossil Butte National Monument (FOBU) and compares these results with monitoring conducted in 2008, 2009, and 2010. Invasive exotic plant (IEP) species are one of the biggest threats 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 during 2012 at Fossil Butte National Monument (FOBU) and compares these results with monitoring conducted in 2008, 2009, and 2010. We detected nine priority IEP and five non-priority IEP species on monitoring routes and quadrats in 2012 at FOBU. Almost all priority IEPs had fewer infestations in 2012 than in 2010,with one exception: creeping foxtail (Alopecurus arundinaceus) increased along Chicken Creek and the North Dam Fork of Chicken Creek. No new priority species were detected along monitoring routes in 2012. Generally, the further a route was from areas of high visitation, the fewer IEPs were detected on it. Seventy-seven percent of IEPs were present in small (<40m2), localized invasions that have a promising chance of successful management control and eradication. NCPN staff will return to FOBU to revisit all monitoring routes in 2014.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Perkins, Dustin
- Date of Issue
- 2013-05
- Publisher
- National Park Service
- Units
- FOBU , NCPN , NRSS
- Keywords
- Exotic Species, Exotic/Invasive Species - Plants, Invasive Species, Monitoring, NCPN Invasive Plants Monitoring, Plant Studies