Invasive and exotic plant management in Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Park: 2013 summary report
Golden D. 2014. Invasive and exotic plant management in Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Park: 2013 summary report. Natural Resource Data Series. NPS/KLGO/NRDS—2014/640. National Park Service. Fort Collins, Colorado
The 2013 season marked the tenth season of the EPMT program at Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Park. The program’s goal of early detection and rapid response was employed with the two primary objectives of 1) monitoring the extent of known infestations and documenting new-found infestations, and 2) prioritizing and controlling infestations to prevent their spread into or within park boundaries. During the 2013 season, EPMT staff and volunteers contributed a total of approximately 662 man-hours toward the EPMT program. Approximately 213 of these hours were dedicated to surveying, mapping, and controlling invasive species. Approximately 66 hours were devoted to outreach and education. The remainder was devoted to report writing, data management, project planning, administrative tasks, and assisting with various other park natural resource projects. In total, 266.2 acres were surveyed over the course of the season, and 84.3 of these acres were within park boundaries. Within the areas surveyed, 41.92 acres were found to be infested with invasive plant species, and 4.93 of these infested acres were within park boundaries. Notable infestations include that of tall buttercup (Ranunculus acris) which is widely distributed throughout park boundaries and was found to have increased in abundance at Sheep Camp along the Chilkoot Trail, as well as white sweetclover (Melilotus alba) whose population at the Skagway Airport has seen a marked decrease over the past few years due to efforts by EPMT staff and volunteers. Additionally, an extensive long-term control project of reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea) at Sheep Camp was found to be thus far effective and going according to schedule. Several small isolated populations of yellow toadflax (Linaria vulgaris), oxeye daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare), and common eyebright (Euphrasia nemorosa) were not detected in 2013 and therefore past control efforts were deemed to have successfully led to their eradication. Outreach and education continued to be an important element of the 2013 EPMT focus with effort aimed at educating park staff and visitors as well as local residents of the risks associated with invasive plants. Notable changes to the invasive plant management plan were discussed and laid out in 2013 to be implemented in subsequent seasons.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Golden, David
- Date of Issue
- 2014-04
- Publisher
- National Park Service
- Units
- KLGO , NRSS
- Keywords
- Alaska, Alaska EPMT, alsike clover, bird vetch, Canada Thistle, common dandelion, common eyebright, common plantain, common sheep sorrel, common tansy, creeping buttercup, Curly Dock, EDRR, EPMT, European mountain ash, Exotic, exotic plant management, Flora, Invasive, KLGO, Klondike Gold Rush, lambsquarter, narrowleaf hawksbeard, ornamental jewelweed, oxeye daisy, Plants, red clover, reed canarygrass, Siberian peashrub, tall buttercup, Vegetation, Vegetation Management, white clover, white sweetclover, Yellow toadflax
- Subjects
- Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Invasive Species | Invasive/Exotic plants