Invasive species management for Katmai National Park & Preserve, Alagnak Wild River, and Aniakchak National Monument & Preserve: 2017 summary report
Caron SB and Westbrook JL. 2018. Invasive species management for Katmai National Park & Preserve, Alagnak Wild River, and Aniakchak National Monument & Preserve: 2017 summary report. Natural Resource Report. NPS/KATM/NRR—2018/1624. National Park Service. Fort Collins, Colorado
2017 marked the eighth consecutive season that the Alaska Exotic Plant Management Team (EPMT) protocol was implemented to survey and control invasive plants in Katmai National Park & Preserve (KATM). KATM’s EPMT consisted of two Student Conservation Association (SCA) interns accompanied, while in the backcountry or when using herbicide, by an experienced National Park Service technician. Field work focused on surveying high use areas for invasive plants and treating known infestations. The goal is to detect and treat early to prevent the establishment or spread of invasive plant infestations in the park. Most of the surveys were conducted near lodges on private inholdings and at popular fishing destinations. Several remote, less visited, areas were surveyed as well. New survey locations included the east end of Kulik Lake, Kulik Lodge, Royal Wolf Lodge, Kamishak River, and the Contact Creek airstrip. Manual and chemical methods were used to treat infestations at Brooks Camp, Lake Camp, Fure’s Cabin, Nonvianuk Ranger Cabin, Grosvenor Lodge, the Battle River Wilderness Retreat, and Funnel Creek. The aminopyralid herbicide, Milestone, was used for chemical treatments, the primary target being Taraxacum officinale ssp. officinale (common dandelion). The EPMT assisted with surveys for the aquatic invasive plant Elodea on some of the more frequently visited waterbodies within the park boundary (reported separately). The SCA interns’ outreach and education efforts included presenting educational materials at a Fishtival booth and leading a SCA crew at Brooks Camp for one week in August. Katmai National Park encompasses some of the most pristine areas in the National Park system, with healthy, intact ecosystems and very few invasive plant species. Continued monitoring, control work, education, and outreach are essential to the preservation of this extraordinary landscape.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Caron, Stephen; Westbrook, Jessica
- Date of Issue
- 2018-04
- Publisher
- National Park Service
- Units
- ALAG , ANIA , KATM , NRSS
- Keywords
- Alaska, EPMT, Exotic Plant Management, invasive, KATM, Katmai National Park and Preserve
- Subjects
- Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Invasive Species | Invasive/Exotic plants
Series
See also
- Invasive species management in Katmai National Park & Preserve: 2011 Summary report
- Invasive species management for Katmai National Park & Preserve, Alagnak Wild River, and Aniakchak National Monument & Preserve: 2016 summary report
- Invasive species management for Katmai National Park & Preserve, Alagnak Wild River, and Aniakchak National Monument & Preserve: 2015 summary report
- Invasive species management for Katmai National Park & Preserve, Alagnak Wild River, and Aniakchak National Monument & Preserve: 2014 summary report
- Invasive species management for Katmai National Park & Preserve, Alagnak Wild River, and Aniakchak National Monument & Preserve: 2013 summary report
- Invasive species management for Katmai National Park & Preserve, Alagnak Wild River, and Aniakchak National Monument & Preserve: 2012 summary report
- Invasive and exotic species management for Katmai National Park & Preserve: 2010 summary report