Shenandoah National Park - Integration and Application Network

ThreatsShenandoah National Park is vulnerable due to itslocation in the Mid-Atlantic regionThe park’s location within the Mid−Atlantic region exposes itsnatural resources to a number of threats including air pollution,water degradation, and land use change. Since ShenandoahNational Park is within a half−day’s drive of large urban areassuch as Washington, D.C., Baltimore, and Philadelphia, the parkattracts many visitors. Heavy visitor use and adjacent developmentresult in increased habitat fragmentation, pollution, and spreadof exotic pests and pathogens that threaten park resources.Air pollution, primarily from burning fossil fuels in Virginiaand the Ohio River Valley, affects the park as acid precipitation,ground−level ozone, poor air quality and resulting impairedvisibility, and deposition of contaminants. 13A lesser−known, but just as serious, threat is the invasion ofexotic species—plants such as Japanese stiltgrass, tree of heaven,and oriental bittersweet, 14 and insects including gypsy mothand hemlock woolly adelgid. 15 Exotic diseases such as dogwoodanthracnose, beech bark disease, and chestnut blight also pose athreat. 16 Other exotic plants, insects, and diseases have not yetbeen found in the park but are known to be in close proximity.Human pressures and depreciative visitor behavior suchas littering, improper disposal of human waste, trampling rareIncreased development around Shenandoah impacts park ecosystems.plants, and feeding wildlife threaten park resources. Climatechange, largely induced by human activities, complicates theinterrelationships of these threats. 17,18The selection of vital signs is guided, in part, by a need tobetter understand these influences and an interest in detectingemerging threats at an early stage—when combating them maybe most effective.Joanna Woerner, IAN/UMCESNatural park conditionsPristine scenic views (good air quality)Native plant communitiesHigh–elevation cold–water streamsRare plant species (sword leaf phlox )Threats to park conditionsObstructed scenic views (poor air quality)Invasive exotic species (gypsy moth , Hemlock woolly adelgid )Exotic diseases and tree deathIncreased adjacent developmentRare animal species (Shenandoah salamander)Bird habitatHuman–caused fireGlobal climate changeIntensive/depreciative visitor useInternal threats to the park include invasive exotic plants and insects, fire, and intensive or depreciative visitor use. External pollution from motor vehicle andpower plant emissions add contaminants to the air and result in haze and acid rain within the park. Increased development encroaches on park habitat.7