Invasive exotic plant monitoring along Pleasant Creek in Capitol Reef National Park: field season 2014

Perkins, Dustin

Invasive exotic plant (IEP) species are a significant threat to natural ecosystem integrity and biodiversity, and controlling IEPs is a high priority for the National Park Service. The Northern Colorado Plateau Network (NCPN) selected the early detection of IEPs as one of 11 monitoring protocols to be implemented as part of its long-term monitoring program. In conjunction with park staff, NCPN created a target list of priority IEPs for early detection. During surveys conducted on October 2-6, 2014, Capitol Reef National Park staff detected two priority IEP species on monitoring routes and three IEP species (one priority) in transects along 10.2 kilometers of Pleasant Creek. Tamarisk (Tamarix spp.) and Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) (49 and 8 patches, respectively) were the priority IEPs detected along monitoring routes. Russian thistle (Salsola tragus) was the most widespread IEP species on transects (present on 21%), and had the highest average percent cover, of 1.95%. Tamarisk and cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) were also detected on transects. IEPs were present in 26% of the 19 transects sampled, with a total cover of 4.6%. Percent cover of all three species and all IEP species combined was similar between 2010 and 2014. The number of tamarisk patches mapped along monitoring routes in 2014 declined from 2010. However, that decline in number may not represent a decrease in area, as the number of patches larger than 40 m2 increased substantially and patches smaller than a few plants decreased. This increase could indicate that smaller patches joined together into large patches. In addition, 63% of the patches were classified as mature trees. This indicates that Pleasant Creek should be a target of exotic plant control before IEPs become widespread.

Invasive exotic plant monitoring along Pleasant Creek in Capitol Reef National Park: field season 2014

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