Invasive Plant Management in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve 2015 Summary Report
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National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Natural Resource Stewardship and Science Invasive Plant Management in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve 2015 Summary Report Natural Resource Report NPS/WRST/NRR—2016/1126 ON THE COVER From the Top Left Clockwise: Elymus repens in anthesis along the Nizina Road; Leucanthemum vulgare blooming on the McCarthy Road; Trifolium pratense in bloom; Linaria vulgaris in McCarthy; Bushels of Melilotus albus removed by SCA and YCC crews in Slana; SCA crew controling non-native species along the Jumbo Mine Trail in the Kennecott Mines NHL; Mt. Blackburn viewed during invasive plant surveys in Donoho Basin. Photographs by Peter Frank Invasive Plant Management in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve 2015 Summary Report Natural Resource Report NPS/WRST/NRR—2016/1126 Peter A. Frank Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve Mile 106.8 Richardson Hwy/ PO Box 439 Copper Center, AK 99573 February 2016 U.S. Department of the Interior National Park Service Natural Resource Stewardship and Science Fort Collins, Colorado The National Park Service, Natural Resource Stewardship and Science office in Fort Collins, Colorado, publishes a range of reports that address natural resource topics. These reports are of interest and applicability to a broad audience in the National Park Service and others in natural resource management, including scientists, conservation and environmental constituencies, and the public. The Natural Resource Report Series is used to disseminate comprehensive information and analysis about natural resources and related topics concerning lands managed by the National Park Service. The series supports the advancement of science, informed decision-making, and the achievement of the National Park Service mission. The series also provides a forum for presenting more lengthy results that may not be accepted by publications with page limitations. All manuscripts in the series receive the appropriate level of peer review to ensure that the information is scientifically credible, technically accurate, appropriately written for the intended audience, and designed and published in a professional manner. Data in this report were collected and analyzed using methods based on established protocols and were analyzed and interpreted within the guidelines of the protocols. In addition, this report received informal peer review by subject-matter experts who were not directly involved in the collection, analysis, or reporting of the data. Views, statements, findings, conclusions, recommendations, and data in this report do not necessarily reflect views and policies of the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use by the U.S. Government. This report is available in digital format from Alaska Region Exotic Plant Management Team Reports website (http://www.nps.gov/akso/NatRes/EPMT/reports.html), and the Natural Resource Publications Management website (http://www.nature.nps.gov/publications/nrpm/). To receive this report in a format optimized for screen readers, please email [email protected]. Please cite this publication as: Frank, P. A. 2015. Invasive plant management in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve: 2015 summary report. Natural Resource Report NPS/WRST/NRR—2016/1126. National Park Service, Fort Collins, Colorado. NPS 190/131361, February 2016 ii Contents Page Figures.................................................................................................................................................... v Tables .................................................................................................................................................... vi Appendices ............................................................................................................................................ vi Abstract ................................................................................................................................................ vii Acknowledgments ................................................................................................................................. ix Acronyms .............................................................................................................................................. ix Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 1 Methods .................................................................................................................................................. 3 Defining Reporting Zones .............................................................................................................. 3 Data Collection and Analysis ......................................................................................................... 4 Prioritizing Fieldwork .................................................................................................................... 4 Inventory and Monitoring.......................................................................................................... 4 Control Work ............................................................................................................................. 5 Control Methods ........................................................................................................................ 5 Restoration and Prevention ........................................................................................................ 6 Outreach, Education and Partnerships ....................................................................................... 7 Results .................................................................................................................................................... 9 Big Volcanoes RZ ........................................................................................................................ 11 McCarthy Front Country RZ ........................................................................................................ 12 McCarthy Road ....................................................................................................................... 12 Kennecott Mines National Historic Landmark ........................................................................ 15 Nizina Road ............................................................................................................................. 16 May Creek NPS Operations Facilities ..................................................................................... 16 Nabesna Front Country RZ .......................................................................................................... 17 Slana ........................................................................................................................................ 17 Nabesna Road and Trail System .............................................................................................. 19 Upper Copper River Front Country RZ ........................................................................................ 20 WRST Headquarters ................................................................................................................ 20 iii Contents (continued) Page Glennallen Maintenance Yard ................................................................................................. 21 Chetaslina River ...................................................................................................................... 21 Elodea Surveys ............................................................................................................................. 22 Restoration and Prevention ........................................................................................................... 23 Education/Outreach ................................................................................................................. 24 Recommendations ................................................................................................................................ 26 Inventory and Monitoring............................................................................................................. 26 Elodea Surveys ........................................................................................................................ 26 Control Work ................................................................................................................................ 27 Manual Control ........................................................................................................................ 27 Chemical Control..................................................................................................................... 28 Restoration and Prevention ........................................................................................................... 28 Education and Outreach ............................................................................................................... 29 Need for Seed .......................................................................................................................... 29 EPMT Informational Booths ................................................................................................... 29 Outreach and WRST Staff ......................................................................................................