Nature and Science, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks

Vegetation of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks

Vegetation Management

Overview
Exotic Plant Management
Sensitive Plant Management
Vegetation Restoration
- Giant Forest Restoration
Stock Use & Meadow Management
Tree Hazard Management
Fire Effects and Fire Regimes
Vegetation Links

Exotic Plant Management

The exotic plant bull thistle (Cirsium vulgare) invades a disturbed area near Grant Grove in Kings Canyon National Park. © USGS photo.

Exotic, alien, introduced, nonindigenous, and nonnative are all synonyms for species that humans intentionally or unintentionally introduced into an area outside of a species' natural range. The exotic plant management program focuses on three major areas: monitoring for new occurrences and for trends in existing populations, prevention strategies and local policies for reducing the introduction and establishment of new populations, and eradication of existing exotic populations. Surveys for exotic vascular plants were conducted in Sequoia and Kings Canyon from 1997-1999, and a report on their distribution and ecology with recommendations for management is in preparation. Similar surveys will be conducted in Devils Postpile during the summer of 2001.

White pine blister rust (Cronartium ribicola), an exotic forest pathogen, has had a significant effect upon the native white pines, particularly sugar pine (Pinus lambertiana) and western white pine (Pinus monticola) within the parks. A recent survey has shown the disease to be widespread, and in localized areas has resulted in the decline and mortality of a significant number of individual trees, especially saplings.

Natural Resources Home Page

Parkwide Natural Resources Site, National Park Service

Parkwide Inventory and Monitoring Site, National Park Service