Invasive plant species early detection in the San Francisco Bay Area Network: 2014 annual report

Wrubel, Eric

This report summarizes the results of the 2014 invasive plant early detection protocol surveys for the San Francisco Bay Area Network (SFAN) Inventory and Monitoring Program (I&M). Invasive plants (see Glossary) represent a high priority vital sign for SFAN because of the negative effects they have on park resources, including altering ecosystem processes (fire regime, hydrology, soil biogeochemical cycling, etc.), reducing habitat quality and scenic value, and increasing trail maintenance needs. The 2014 early detection surveys were conducted in Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GOGA), John Muir National Historic Site (JOMU), Pinnacles National Monument (PINN), and Point Reyes National Seashore (PORE). Objectives and methods for the 2014 field season were based on a peer-reviewed early detection protocol published in the NPS Natural Resource Report series (Williams et al. 2009). Including field seasons when pilot data was collected, 2014 was the sixth field season of data collection in PINN and JOMU, the seventh in PORE, and the eighth in GOGA. Volunteers played an important role in the implementation of the 2014 field surveys. At GOGA, 6 volunteers assisted staff to conduct surveys and enter data, contributing 471 hours. At PORE, 6 volunteers contributed 138 hours. At PINN, 2 volunteers contributed 64 hours performing surveys. In GOGA, 78 miles of trails and roadsides were surveyed and 777 individual occurrences of target weed species were recorded. In PORE, 121 miles of trails and roadsides were surveyed and 1,124 occurrences of target weeds were recorded. In PINN, 10 miles of trails, roadsides, fence lines, and drainages were surveyed, and 37 occurrences of target weeds were recorded. In JOMU, 5 miles of trails were surveyed, and 15 priority weed occurrences were recorded. In GOGA, 6 species that are new to the park were recorded and collected during the 2014 early detection surveys; 1 species new to the park was recorded at PORE; 1 species new to the park was recorded at PINN; and 3 species new to the park were recorded at JOMU. Maps were created of all priority plant populations recorded in GOGA, JOMU, PINN, and PORE. Web pages were used to educate the public about the project and provide support to existing volunteers. Collaborative efforts with staff at GOGA, JOMU, PINN, PORE, and partners at Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy and the Calflora Database continued to facilitate communication of findings and to broaden the early detection network.

Invasive plant species early detection in the San Francisco Bay Area Network: 2014 annual report

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