Invasive exotic plant monitoring at Golden Spike National Historic Site: 2014 field season

Perkins, Dustin

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 11 monitoring protocols to be implemented as part of its long-term monitoring program. This report represents work completed during the 2014 field season at Golden Spike National Historic Site (NHS). On July 16–18, 2014, nine priority IEP species were detected on monitoring routes that covered all major roads, trails, and riparian areas at Golden Spike NHS. Three additional non-priority species were recorded only in quadrats. Exotic plant patches of priority species (that were on the list in all years) were more prevalent in 2014 than in any other year of monitoring, increasing from 6 in 2012 to 77 in 2014. The highest densities of plant patches were recorded along the Hydro 1 drainage, Last Cut drainage, Retired Service Road, Poulson Road, County Road, and Facility Road. Rush skeletonweed (Chondrilla juncea), Scotch thistle (Onopordum acanthium), and field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis) were the most prevalent species, representing 82% of all invasions found. Eighty-two percent of the patches detected were present in small, localized invasions that have a good chance of being successfully controlled through management actions. Percent cover of more dominant species, such as cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum), and tumble mustard (Sisymbrium altissimum) was lower than in previous years. The network will return to Golden Spike NHS for a fifth year of monitoring in 2016.

Invasive exotic plant monitoring at Golden Spike National Historic Site: 2014 field season

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