Invasive plant species early detection in the San Francisco Bay Area Network: 2017 annual report

Wrubel, Eric; Graver, Nick

This report summarizes the results of the 2017 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 2017 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 2017 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, 2017 was the eighth field season of data collection in PINN, the ninth in PORE and JOMU, and the tenth in GOGA. Volunteers played an important role in the implementation of the 2017 field surveys. At GOGA, 6 volunteers assisted staff to conduct surveys, contributing 181 hours. At PORE, 5 volunteers contributed 218 hours. At PINN, one volunteer contributed 25 hours performing surveys. At JOMU, 2 volunteers contributed 14 hours performing surveys. Thirty-eight miles of trails and roadsides were surveyed within GOGA and 456 individual occurrences of target weed species were recorded. One hundred thirty-nine miles of trails and roadsides were surveyed at PORE and 496 occurrences of target weeds were recorded. At PINN, 10.5 miles of trails and roadsides were surveyed and 12 species were recorded in 169 transects, each 100 meters in length. Five miles of trails were surveyed at JOMU, and 19 priority weed occurrences were recorded. In PORE, One new species that was new to the park was recorded and collected in 2017, and one new species was found at JOMU. Maps were created of all areas surveyed in GOGA, JOMU, PINN, and PORE as well as for priority plant populations. Web pages were used to educate the public about the project and provide support to existing volunteers. Features on the web pages included species lists, data sheets, and survey calendars. Collaborative efforts with staff at GOGA, JOMU, PINN, PORE, and Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy 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: 2017 annual report

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