Invasive plant species early detection in the San Francisco Bay Area Network: 2007 annual report.

Williams, Williams; Speith, Elizabeth

Parks need to know where incipient populations of highly invasive plants are becoming established, and protect the most critical areas from invasion. This year was the first full field season of testing the early detection protocol. The methods detailed in this report focus on surveying road- and trail-side in priority areas using volunteers, and is based on the SFAN I&M Network’s Early Detection Monitoring of Invasive Plant Species in the San Francisco Bay Area Network: A Volunteer-Based Approach (Williams et al. 2008 in review). The Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GOGA) contains 38 subwatersheds deemed at high risk of invasion and/or harm to significant biological resources, of which 33 subwatershed were within the boundaries actively managed by the park. Searches were conducted by teams of two or three along the prioritized trails and roads in these subwatersheds looking for up to 83 plant species ranked as having the greatest risk for invasion in these areas. One thousand and one high-priority plant populations were mapped in the park. Of 66 subwatersheds searched, 45 were found to contain the highest priority species. Twenty-eight of these subwatersheds were deemed at high risk for invasion. Maps were created of all areas surveyed in the GOGA and priority plant species found. Based on results, the species list was modified to better reflect actual population levels within the park. Volunteers played a pivotal role in the implementation of the field surveys. Fifteen volunteers over two years were worked with on a one-on-one basis to conduct surveys, contributing 543 hours, worth $9795.72. Web pages were created to educate the public about the project and provide support to existing volunteers. Collaborative efforts with staff at GOGA and the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy were established to facilitate communication of findings and to broaden the early detection network.

Invasive plant species early detection in the San Francisco Bay Area Network: 2007 annual report.

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