Invasive plant species early detection in the San Francisco Bay Area Network: 2018 annual report
Wrubel E. 2019. Invasive plant species early detection in the San Francisco Bay Area Network: 2018 annual report. Natural Resource Data Series. NPS/NCCN/NRDS—2019/1211. National Park Service. Fort Collins, Colorado
This report summarizes the results of the 2018 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 2018 early detection surveys were conducted in John Muir National Historic Site (JOMU), Pinnacles National Monument (PINN), and Point Reyes National Seashore (PORE). Objectives and methods for the 2018 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, 2018 was the ninth field season of data collection in PINN, and the tenth in PORE and JOMU. Surveys were not conducted at GOGA in 2018, per the revised survey schedule for PORE and GOGA. At PORE, 225 miles of trails and roadsides were surveyed and 979 occurrences of target weed species were recorded. At PINN, 16 miles of trails and roadsides were surveyed and 129 occurrences of target weed species were recorded. Five miles of trails were surveyed at JOMU, and 42 occurrences of target weed species were recorded. No invasive plant species were detected in SFAN parks in 2018 that had not been detected in prior years. Data were collected on mobile devices and stored in the Calflora database using the Weed Manager system. Mapped invasive plant occurrences, assessments and treatments may be viewed online using interactive web maps on Calflora. Collaborative efforts with staff at JOMU, PINN, PORE, Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, and external agencies continued to facilitate communication of findings and to broaden the early detection network.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Wrubel, Eric
- Date of Issue
- 2019-03
- Publisher
- National Park Service
- Units
- GOGA , JOMU , NRSS , PINN , PORE , SFAN
- Keywords
- Annual Report, Invasive Plants, Monitoring
- Subjects
- Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Invasive Species | Invasive/Exotic plants