Early detection of invasive species: surveillance monitoring and rapid response — Eastern Rivers and Mountains Network 2013-2015 summary report

Manning, Douglas

Since 2008, the Invasive Species Early Detection (ISED) Program of the Eastern Rivers and Mountains Network (ERMN) has surveyed for and detected incipient populations of invasive plants, animals, and diseases in ERMN parks. Early detection of invasive species followed by rapid response can detect and eradicate incipient populations before they have a chance to become widely established; thus eliminating the need for costly and resource-intensive control programs. While long-term changes associated with established invasive species are being monitored through other protocols, the ISED program focuses on new populations of invasive species early in their invasion. Only when invasions are caught early will the chance of eradication remain high. The known ecological impacts of invasive species include loss of threatened and endangered species, altered structure and composition of terrestrial and aquatic communities, and reduction in overall species diversity. During invasive species early detection surveillance monitoring in 2013, 18 new invasive plant and pest occurrences were documented in four parks in the ERMN by the vegetation monitoring crew, an NPS Biological Science Technician, and NPS Park Biologists. Twelve occurrences of early detection species were found in New River Gorge National River. Japanese barberry (Berberis thunbergii), winged burning-bush (Euonymus alatus), Japanese hops (Humulus japonicus), sweet autumn virginsbower (Clematis terniflora) and Norway maple (Acer platanoides) were found by the ERMN vegetation monitoring crew and Biological Science Technician, Layne Strickler. Two early detections were found in Gauley River National Recreation Area. Japanese barberry (Berberis thunbergii) and garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) were found by the vegetation monitoring crew. Three occurrences of early detection species were found in Delaware Water Gap National Recreation area. Two infestations of jetbead (Rhodotypos scandens) were found by the vegetation monitoring crew and Japanese aralia (Aralia elata) was found by the Park Biologist, Jeff Shreiner. In Bluestone National Scenic River, Chinese yam (Dioscorea oppositifolia) and Japanese knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum) were found and treated by Biological Science Technician, Layne Strickler. Invasive species early detection monitoring in 2014 encountered six new invasive plant and pest occurrences in the ERMN parks. Emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) was detected in Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site. Two early detection species were found at Bluestone National Scenic River. Japanese knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum) was discovered by the ERMN the vegetation monitoring crew and Biological Science Technician, Layne Strickler found emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis). Sweet autumn virginsbower (Clematis terniflora) and Japanese hops (Humulus japonicus) were discovered along the New River in New River Gorge National River by Layne Strickler. Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River Park biologist, Jamie Myers, found several new patches of mile-a-minute (Polygonum perfoliatum) and it was determined that the infestation has moved beyond the scope of early detection. In 2015, invasive species early detection monitoring encountered ten new invasive plant and pest occurrences in three ERMN parks. Seven early detections were found in New River Gorge National River. Japanese barberry (Berberis thunbergii), winged burning-bush (Euonymus alatus), and Japanese hops (Humulus japonicus) were found by the vegetation monitoring crew as well as Biological Science Technician, Layne Strickler. In Gauley River National Recreation Area, Norway maple (Acer platanoides) was found by the vegetation monitoring crew. Japanese knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum) was found by Biological Science Technician, Layne Strickler, in Bluestone National Scenic River.

Early detection of invasive species: surveillance monitoring and rapid response — Eastern Rivers and Mountains Network 2013-2015 summary report

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