Invasive/Exotic Species

Importance/Issues

The Southwest Alaska National Park System units retain vast landscapes of intact ecosystems that have neither lost nor gained species over the past century. Scattered populations of invasive plants, however, have been documented in areas of greatest human activity in Katmai, Kenai Fjords, and Lake Clark and will spread rapidly if left unmanaged. Concurrently, nearby settlements and inholdings are facing increasing populations of the same and additional species, providing a source of propagules for possible establishment on parklands. Only through regular monitoring in combination with adaptive management can the NPS prevent invasive plants from becoming a major problem for the Southwest Alaska parks.

Sampling Design and Objectives

Sampling for invasive plants has been focused on the most heavily visited and used areas of the Southwest Alaska National Park System units. Human activity is the principal vector for invasive plant dispersal, and with vast landscapes to protect, sampling must be focused on areas of likely invasion in order to benefit management. The objective of sampling efforts in the parks is to collect sufficient information using precise GPS units to document interannual changes in population size and density and provide baseline data for evaluation of control effectiveness.

Current and Future Work Efforts

Current efforts toward invasive plant management in the Southwest parks include annual to biannual surveys of high-use areas in KATM, KEFJ, and LACL and repeated control efforts and monitoring at Exit Glacier and Brooks Camp. Future work will include surveys of ANIA and ALAG and the expansion of control efforts to any new infestations that are found.