Invasive exotic plant monitoring in Zion National Park: 2013 field season
Perkins D. 2014. Invasive exotic plant monitoring in Zion National Park: 2013 field season. Natural Resource Technical Report. NPS/NCPN/NRTR—2014/883. 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. During surveys conducted on June 19–26, 2013, NCPN staff detected nine IEP species (6 of which were priority species) along 105.4 kilometers of monitoring routes and transects at Zion National Park. Bulbous bluegrass (Poa bulbosa), Siberian elm (Ulmus pumila), and Scotch thistle (Onopordum acanthium) were the most commonly detected priority invasive plants. The highest numbers of priority infestations were found at Watchman Campground and Visitor Center area (16.46 infestations/km), Hidden Canyon/Weeping Rock Trails (4.16/km), Watchman Housing Area (3.43/km), Upper Kolob Terrace Road (3.29/km), and South Campground and Nature Center (3.05/km). Roads generally had higher infestation densities than trails. Several trails were free of priority IEP infestations. IEPs were found on 111 transects (63%), with an average of 0.65 IEP species detected per plot. However, almost all of these detections were cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum). Cheatgrass was widespread—present in 62% of transects and with an estimated cover of 1.63% across all areas sampled. Cheatgrass cover was as high as 4.76% along the Sand Bench Trail.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Perkins, Dustin
- Date of Issue
- 2014-06
- Publisher
- National Park Service
- Units
- NCPN , NRSS , ZION
- Keywords
- Exotic Species, Exotic/Invasive Species - Plants, Invasive Species, Monitoring, NCPN Invasive Plants Monitoring, Plant Studies