Invasive exotic plant monitoring in Colorado National Monument: 2015 field season
Perkins D. 2016. Invasive exotic plant monitoring in Colorado National Monument: 2015 field season. Natural Resource Report. NPS/NCPN/NRR—2016/1287. 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 11 monitoring protocols to be implemented as part of its long-term monitoring program. This report represents work completed at Colorado National Monument during 2015. During monitoring conducted between July 1 and 22, a total of 12 IEP species were detected in the combined monitoring routes and transects at the monument. Of these, 10 were priority species that accounted for 715 separate infestations. IEPs were most prevalent along riparian areas. Yellow sweetclover (Melilotus officinale), yellow salsify (Tragopogon dubius) (added to the priority list in 2015), and woolly mullein (Verbascum thapsus) were the most widespread species found along monitoring routes. Cheatgrass (Anisantha tectorum) had the highest percent cover (0.8%) and highest frequency (74%) of all IEPs found on transects. Tamarisk and Russian olive infestations remained at relatively low numbers when compared to the first year of NCPN monitoring in 2009, and the earlier survey efforts by Utah State University in 2003. Tamarisk and Russian olive had 76% and 80% fewer infestations in 2015 than 2009, respectively. This was likely the result of efforts by volunteers to control this species. However, several problematic species, such as Russian olive, cheatgrass, and yellow sweetclover, increased in some areas from 2013 to 2015 or were recorded in new monitoring routes, either for the first time or for the first time in several years. Observers found more patches of woolly mullein in 2015 than in any other year of NCPN monitoring. Other than yellow sweetclover, the size of patches remained low (only 16% were >40 m2). In addition, 79% of the tree patches were classified as seedlings or saplings. This indicates that most of the patches are still small enough to be controlled. Network staff will return to re-sample all monitoring routes in 2017.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Perkins, Dustin
- Date of Issue
- 2016-08
- Publisher
- National Park Service
- Units
- COLM , NCPN , NRSS
- Keywords
- Exotic Species, Exotic/Invasive Species - Plants, Invasive Species, Monitoring, NCPN Invasive Plants Monitoring, Plant Studies