Development of a Sampling Methodology to Create a Non-native Weed Inventory for the Northern Range of Yellowstone National Park
Rew LJ, Maxwell B, Aspinall R, Weaver T, Despain D. 2001. Development of a Sampling Methodology to Create a Non-native Weed Inventory for the Northern Range of Yellowstone National Park. Montana State University. Bozeman, MT
The objective of the six-month pilot project was to determine the most efficient and accurate approach for creating an inventory of the non-native plant species within the northern elk winter range of Yellowstone National Park. The area is too large to look for non-native species over the entirety so we focused on identifying sampling methods that provide the highest probability of locating even the rarest non-native plant species. This objective was achieved through computer simulation and field sampling. Computer simulations of hypothetical plant population distributions were combined with a variety of sampling strategies to evaluate the most efficient sampling method to record species occurring at low frequency within a heterogeneous environment. The chosen sampling method was then used in the field to record the presence of nine selected non-native weeds. Data analysis provided information on the frequency of the non-native weeds within the Park and determined whether their presence was correlated with recorded environmental variables or human activities (i.e. distance from roads and trails). The sampling methodology was subjectively evaluated for practical usability in the field and efficiency of sampling in the Park environment. This work has met the deadline of being collated and presented by December 2001. The information will then be used to develop a sampling strategy for the following three years and submitted as a study plan proposal by January 31st 2002. (Abstract as submitted by authors).
- Type
- Unpublished Report
- Authors
- Rew, Lisa; Maxwell, Bruce; Aspinall, Richard; Weaver, T; Despain, Don
- Date of Issue
- 2001-11
- Publisher
- Montana State University
- Units
- GRYN , YELL
- Keywords
- Exotic Plants, Exotic Species, Invasive Species, Inventory, Nonindigenous species, weed inventory