Stressors and threats to the flora of Acadia National Park, Maine: Current knowledge, information gaps, and future directions
Harris TB, Rajakaruna N, Nelson SJ, Vaux PD. 2012. Stressors and threats to the flora of Acadia National Park, Maine: Current knowledge, information gaps, and future directions. Journal of the Torrey Botanical Society. 139((3)):323-344
From Official Abstract: “…The Park’s varied habitats and flora are sensitive to a number of natural and anthropogenic perturbations. Stressors such as invasive plants, pest and pathogens, ozone, acidic fog and sulfur deposition, nitrogen deposition, heavy metals, fire and fire suppression, over-browsing, visitor use, hurricanes, and climate change have all had effects on the Park’s habitats and plant species at some point and it is unclear how many of these stressors are currently affecting the flora of Acadia National Park. We discuss the botanical diversity of Acadia, assess the natural and anthropogenic stressors and threats affecting the Park’s flora, and summarize critical information gaps to better assess the known stressors and threats to the flora. Understanding these stressors and threats is critical to making informed management decisions to preserve the botanical diversity of Acadia and other regional parks.” This report contains tables of rare plant species an ANP, natural communities of ANP, species at or near their range of distribution, plant species considered invasive, pests and pathogens that are a potential threat to ANP, ozone sensitive species found in ANP, and a summary of stressors and threats to the flora of ANP. This report researches and summarizes the currently available information pertaining to the flora of ANP and points out where information gaps are that need to be addressed while assessing the stressors and threats to the park and its unique communities.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Harris, Tanner; Rajakaruna, Nishanta; Nelson, Sarah; Vaux, Peter
- Units
- ACAD
- Keywords
- acidic fog, Air Pollution, Climate Change, Conservation, Exotic Species, Heavy Metals, Invasive Species, Mercury Deposition, Nitrogen Deposition, Ozone, Pathogens, rarity, sulfur deposition