Vegetation and exotic plant management: 2017 annual report for Sand Creek Massacre NHS
Roberts A, Zimmermann K, Cartmell Z, Folts-Zettner T, Bennetts R, Sosinski H, Bonilla J, Fields B, Gatewood R, McDaniels J, Bekedam S. 2018. Vegetation and exotic plant management: 2017 annual report for Sand Creek Massacre NHS. Natural Resource Data Series. NPS/SOPN/NRDS—2018/1172. National Park Service. Fort Collins, Colorado
This report is intended to be used in concert with the Vegetation and Exotic Plant Management Implementation Strategy for Sand Creek Massacre NHS (Sand Creek Massacre NHS 2015). The implementation strategy provides an overview of the initial reference conditions and direction and this report provides the results for 2017 as well as an annual update (adaptation) of the direction based on ongoing results. Reference conditions represent a combination of ecological and cultural values of the Sand Creek Massacre NHS setting. The data used to determine condition of each vegetation unit relative to reference conditions is from the vegetation monitoring surveys conducted by the Southern Plains Network and Southern Plains Fire Group in accordance with Folts-Zettner et al. (2017). The primary management treatments during 2017 were mowing, herbicide application, and reseeding. These treatments were undertaken primarily to control exotic plants, particularly Russian thistle and Kochia. Most treatments were effective during the treatment year but long-term results remain to be determined. Of the 11 transects monitored in 8 management units, all transects had >50% cover of native grasses expected for the unit and no transects exhibited establishment of a monoculture. One transect had >25% bare ground. The same two transects had >10% exotic cover and >5% high-priority exotic plant cover. Three transects each had 15% shrub cover. Only three transects had >15% native forbs. 2017 management actions appear to be improving vegetation conditions as a whole, although several years of continuous management will be required to firmly establish these conditions. A Management Work Plan has been included for 2018
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Roberts, Alexa; Zimmermann, Karl; Cartmell, Zach; Folts-Zettner, Tomye; Bennetts, Robert; Sosinski, Heidi; Bonilla, Jerimiah; Fields, Bruce; Gatewood, Richard; McDaniels, Jason; Bekedam, Steven
- Date of Issue
- 2018-05
- Publisher
- National Park Service
- Units
- FIEC , NRSS , SAND , SOPN
- Keywords
- Exotic Plant Monitor, fire monitoring, Grasslands Monitor