Invasive species summary for the Southwest Alaska Inventory and Monitoring Network
Rapp W. 2009. Invasive species summary for the Southwest Alaska Inventory and Monitoring Network. Natural Resource Report. NPS/SWAN/NRR—2009/152. Natural Resource Program Center; National Park Service. Fort Collins, Colorado
Invasive species pose a significant resource management concern since they can upset the native ecosystem balance. Within the Southwest Alaska Inventory and Monitoring (I&M) Network (SWAN) of the National Park Service (NPS), effort and resources have been invested in inventorying and controlling invasive plant species since 2003 by park staff and the Alaska Region Exotic Plant Management Team (AK-EPMT). Of the five park units, Alagnak Wild River (ALAG) and Aniakchak National Monument and Preserve (ANIA) have no documented invasive species within their boundaries. Within or near Katmai National Park and Preserve (KATM), Kenai Fjords National Park and Preserve (KEFJ), and Lake Clark National Park and Preserve (LACL) are 50 invasive species with a mapped infestation area exceeding 90 acres. KEFJ, which has the highest visitation, is on the road system, and has the greatest number of invasive species, has had the most control effort to date. Analyses of the effectiveness of manual and mechanical removal of invasive species in the Exit Glacier area of KEFJ shows that the number of plants and infestation area has decreased for several species and areas. None of these larger populations has been eradicated; however, several smaller populations have been successfully eliminated. In addition to invasive plants, a discussion evaluates other potential terrestrial, aquatic, and marine invasive species in the SWAN units is made that may warrant future attention.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Rapp, Whitney
- Date of Issue
- 2009-09
- Publisher
- Natural Resource Program Center; National Park Service
- Units
- KATM , KEFJ , LACL , NRSS , SWAN
- Keywords
- Invasive, Plants, Summary, SWAN