Vascular plant inventory of the Missouri National Recreation River

Kottas, Kay; Stubbendieck, James

The Northern Great Plans Study Plan (Licht et. a., 2002), in part, proposes documenting the occurence of 90 percent of the 506 plant species expected to occur within the Missouri National Recreational River (MNRR) park complex. A proposal for inventory assessment of four additional park areas (Niobrara State Park, Karl Mundt National Wildlife Refuge, Bow Creek Bottomland, and Frost Game Production Area) was approved by the National Park Service in May, 2004. The objectives of the proposal were to identify additional species toward the goal of 90 percent of expected species, assess abundance of species, record the location of noxious weeds and species of concern, collect specimens of some key species, and suggest potential management concerns. Four trips were made to each of the parks between May 1 and September 31, 2004. A total of 390 vascular plant species were identified in a study at Ponca State Park (Rolfsmeier, 2003). A total of 534 plant species have been identified along MNRR, including Ponca State Park, with the four new inventory locations. Seventy-five (75) percent of the species identified thus far were not included on the original expected species list. The Scope of Work, proposed including all species in a single inventory. As much as possible, separate inventories were also recorded in order to provide better management tools for individual park managers. Global position readings were taken at locations of noxious weed infestations and for species of concern. Issues of noxious weed control are being addressed at most of the park areas. Actively managing and recording species introduced into park areas will help diversity management.

Vascular plant inventory of the Missouri National Recreation River

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