Invasive Plant Species

Early detection and removal of invasive plant species is a proven method for preventing the establishment of new species and limiting the spread of existing species into uninfested areas. There are two main components of the invasive species monitoring program:

• Monitoring existing populations of species that are known to have the ability to change the structure and function of entire ecosystems.
• Conduct early detection monitoring to locate new, isolated infestations before they become entrenched in the Network parks.

Parks need to know where incipient populations of highly invasive plants are becoming established, and protect the most critical areas from invasion. The objectives designed to answer the above monitoring questions focus on surveying road and trail-side in priority areas using volunteers. This program provides information that can be used immediately by park managers to target new or expanding infestations. The data can also track long-term infestation patterns and identify management actions that can be taken to prevent new infestations