Early detection of invasive species; surveillance, monitoring, and rapid response: Eastern Rivers and Mountains Network summary report 2008–2009
Keefer JS. 2010. Early detection of invasive species; surveillance, monitoring, and rapid response: Eastern Rivers and Mountains Network summary report 2008–2009. Natural Resource Data Series. NPS/ERMN/NRDS—2010/038. U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Natural Resource Program Center. Fort Collins, Colorado
Early detection monitoring of incipient invasive plants, animals and diseases was ranked among the top priorities in the Eastern Rivers and Mountains Network (ERMN) in the vital signs selection process due to the clear identification of, and concern about, the effects these organisms can have on park ecosystems. The known ecological impacts of invasive species include loss of threatened and endangered species, altered structure and composition of terrestrial and aquatic communities, and reduction in overall species diversity. While long-term changes associated with invasive species are being monitored through other protocols, it is also critical to catch new populations of invasive species early in their invasion of new and sensitive habitats. Only when invasions are caught early will the chance of eradication remain high.During invasive species early detection surveillance monitoring in 2008 and 2009, 20 new invasive plant and pest occurrences were documented at five parks in the ERMN by the vegetation monitoring crew, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area (DEWA) Biologist, Jeff Shreiner, New River Gorge National River (NERI) Biological Technician, Sophia DeMaio and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). New species occurrences included Japanese barberry (Berberis thunbergii), narrowleaf bittercress (Cardamine impatiens), privet (Ligustrum sp.), gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar), Amur corktree (Phellodendron amurense), Japanese knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum), linden arrowwood (Viburnum dilatatum), emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) and viburnum leaf beetle (Pyrrhalta viburni). Of the 15 new plant occurrences, 10 consisted of single specimens and/or small populations and were hand-pulled or chemically treated.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Keefer, Jennifer
- Date of Issue
- 2010-03
- Publisher
- U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Natural Resource Program Center
- Units
- ALPO , BLUE , DEWA , ERMN , FONE , FRHI , GARI , JOFL , NERI , NRSS , UPDE
- Keywords
- Early Detection, Invasive Species, Monitoring, Rapid Response