Non-Native Plant Inventory
Quick LinksImportance / IssuesNon-native plant species are a major management concern across the Klamath region. Many non-native plants are ecologically harmful, altering natural and/or historic scenes and impairing the natural function of native plant communities. In low elevation parks, such as Redwood and Whiskeytown, non-native species comprise over 25% of the flora and a number of these species are highly invasive. The relative level of concern for each non-native plant species varies among parks and habitats, with a range of implications for native biodiversity. Most parks in the Network, however, are concerned about the present distribution and potential spread of these species and the potential threats to native ecosystems. Disturbance can enhance the probability of non-native plant establishment in native plant communities, especially when non-native plant propagules are present. Therefore, non-native plants will most likely establish in areas that have both a ready seed source and that undergo repeated disturbance. Human disturbed areas in parks, such as campgrounds, corrals, hiking and pack trails, pastures, and road corridors, are typically most susceptible to establishment of non-native plant species. Among natural systems, ecosystem types that combine abundant moisture and nutrients with frequent disturbance, such as river corridors and riparian areas, appear to be especially vulnerable to invasion by non-native species. |
 ObjectivesThe first objective was to document 90% of the vascular plant and vertebrate species believed to occur in each park. The second objective was to determine the distribution and abundance of species of special management interest in each park. ParksCrater Lake National Park Project StatusCompleted The Klamath Network has now moved from inventorying non-native plant species to monitoring non-native plant species |