Inventory and Survey Methods for Nonindigenous Plant Species (PDF)

Chapter 3 • Landscape-Scale Wildland InventoriesTable 1. Description of data fields used in USU inventory of NIS in national parks, continued.Data Field Description Options/Values Priority EntryEcological StatusDominant SpeciesBufferHydrologyDisturbanceQualitative description of the levelof infestation that identifies abilityof site to recover to natural stateonce the NIS have been removedSpecies Latin name for dominantspecies at site (up to four speciescan be recorded)Buffer needed to encompass populationif GPS’ed as a line or polygonfeatureGeneral hydrologic setting of site.If further specificity is needed inpark, add items as subcategoriesto existing terms (e.g., wetland;subcategory, seep).Evaluate disturbance at populationsiteNo NIS. The management emphasis ispreventing NIS encroachment.New and/or small infestations. Theseinfestations have good potential foreradication because they are small and thereis a good understory of desirable plants.Large-scale infestation with 30% or greaterunderstory of residual grasses and goodpotential productivity. Management of thesesites in a way that selects for the recovery ofthe residual native grasses and shrubs hasgood potential for control but not eradicationof the NIS. May be more that one noxiousNIS, but the underlying biologic integrity of theunit is good.Large-scale infestations with few or no (lessthan 30% cover) desirable grasses in theunderstory. Infestation often dense and/ormultiple NIS. Control will require intensetreatment and probably revegetation. Controlmay be possible, but not eradication. In someareas, the infestation may have changed thecharacter of the land so much that attemptsfor rehabilitation are cost prohibitive.Two to three dominant species need to beprovided at each point (list of possible dominantspecies provided by park). If single orfew plants, use dominant species in 0.1 acrearea.Enter number in feetUpland (above and away from floodplains)Riparian (along rivers or stream channels)• Perennial: stream flows continuously intime.• Intermittent: stream flows only at certaintimes of the year (typically on seasonalbasis) when it receives water from springsor from melting snow.• Ephemeral: stream flows only in direct responseto precipitation. Ephemeral streamsgenerally lack obligate riparian vegetation.Wetland (saturated soil for majority ofgrowing season)Playa lakebed (poorly drained depressions)No disturbance apparentLight to moderate disturbanceSite heavily disturbedRequiredRequiredRequiredfor lines,optionalfor polygonsRequiredRequiredRequiredGPSGPSGPSGPS26Inventory and Survey Methods for Nonindigenous Plant Species