E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C AE X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A

Invasive Species Early Detection:Invasive Species Early Detection:A National Park Service ApproachA National Park Service Approach

Jennifer Stingelin KeeferJennifer Stingelin KeeferMatthew R. MarshallMatthew R. MarshallBrian R. MitchellBrian R. MitchellMargot W. KayeMargot W. Kaye

Weeds Across Borders ConferenceWeeds Across Borders ConferenceJune 1-4 2010June 1-4 2010

National Park ServiceNational Park ServiceU.S. Department of the InteriorU.S. Department of the Interior

Inventory and Monitoring ProgramInventory and Monitoring ProgramNortheast RegionNortheast Region

Photo by: Jeff Shreiner

Eastern Rivers and Mountains Network (ERMN)

Why Invasive Species Early Why Invasive Species Early DetectionDetection (ISED)? (ISED)?

Photo by:Photo by: Leslie J. MehrhoffLeslie J. Mehrhoff

““Damages associated with alien Damages associated with alien invasive species effects and their invasive species effects and their control amount to approximately control amount to approximately $120 billion/year.”$120 billion/year.”

-- Pimental et al., 2005-- Pimental et al., 2005

““Early Detection of Invasive Species: Surveillance Early Detection of Invasive Species: Surveillance Monitoring and Rapid Response Protocol”Monitoring and Rapid Response Protocol”

Goals Assist park managers with identifying high

priority invasive species Quickly disseminate new occurrence information

to all interested parties (NPS, public, private, etc.)

Assess the risk presented by incipient populations

Assist with management of newly detected species

Primary ObjectivePrimary Objective

Detect incipient populations (i.e., small or localized) and new introductions of target invasive species through opportunistic observations before the species become established.

Protocol ComponentsProtocol Components

Develop and maintain a list of target species that occur in localized areas of parks, are extremely rare, or are not currently present within a park, but have the potential to cause major ecological, cultural, or economic problems if they were to become established;

Develop, maintain, and distribute appropriate target species identification information to all ERMN and NETN field crews and other interested cooperators, resource managers, and volunteers;

Develop and maintain an early detection reporting and tracking system that disseminates information on potential infestations in a timely and efficient manner.

Species Lists & PrioritizationSpecies Lists & Prioritization

Lists by park 4-step prioritization

process Compiled list of present

species Eliminated common and

well established species Consulted relevant data

sources from nearby parks, towns, counties etc.

Conducted research and consulted with Natural Resource Managers

10-20 species per list Lists reviewed annually

Field GuideField Guide

Field Guide cont.Field Guide cont.

Ex. Berberis thunbergii DC. (Japanese barberry)

New River Gorge National River, West Virginia

Reporting & TrackingReporting & Tracking

Alert SystemAlert System System of

Designated Park Contacts (DPC)

Central Invasive Species Early Detection Coordinator (ISEDC)

Outside agencies, private organizations, Cooperative Weed Management Areas, etc.

Detector

Outside Organizations

DPC ISEDCReporting &

Tracking System

Is the ISED Protocol Working?Is the ISED Protocol Working?

Photo by:Photo by: Jennifer Stingelin KeeferJennifer Stingelin Keefer

Yes! 2008/2009 Early DetectionsYes! 2008/2009 Early Detections 20 new plant and pest

occurrences at 5 parks 9 new invasive species Detectors included a park

biologist, ERMN vegetation monitoring crew, a biological technician, and The Animal and Plant Health inspection service (APHIS).

Of the 15 new plant occurrences, 10 were hand-pulled or chemically treated

Photo by: Jennifer Stingelin Keefer

ConclusionConclusion

Anyone can do ISED! Regardless of size and resources, it is possible to create and implement a simple ISED system.

Recognize & identify organizational strengths Ask for outside assistance—Don’t re-invent the

wheel!

Future DirectionsFuture Directions

Public education NPS visitor centers Boat launches

Train additional NPS employees (maintenance crews, interpreters etc.)

Volunteers

Reports, Publications & On-line ResourcesReports, Publications & On-line Resources

http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/units/ermn/

AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements

Dr. Matthew R. Marshall, Program Manager, NPS ERMN Dr. Brian R. Mitchell, Program Manager, NPS NETN Dr. Margot W. Kaye, Asst. Professor Forest Ecology, The

Pennsylvania State University Dr. Leslie J. Mehrhoff, Director, Invasive Plant Atlas of

New England (IPANE) Wayne Millington, Integrative Pest Management

Coordinator, NPS Northeast Region Dr. Cynthia D. Huebner, Research Botanist, USFS

Questions?Questions?

Jennifer Stingelin KeeferInvasive Species Early Detection Coordinator

Eastern Rivers and Mountains Network (ERMN)E-mail: Jennifer_Stingelin_Keefer@partner.nps.gov

http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/units/ermn/