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Yosemite National Park
Invasive Plant Management Plan
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Project Status
Skip to project documents |
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The following is a list of the various stages that occur during a planning process. Though there are added public involvement opportunities such as meetings and workshops throughout, this outlines the major steps. They include:
Initial public outreach
Technical Study/Report
Public scoping (ended 2/15/05)
Plan development
Public review & comment (EA) (ended 7/13/08)
Produce final plan/report
Decision document
Implementation of plan/project
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Invasive, non-native plants are introduced from other parts of the world.The spread of invasive plants is a primary cause of degradation to ecological systems. Invasive plants, also known as weedy or noxious plants, displace native plant and animal populations and reduce habitat and food sources for native insects, birds and other wildlife.
Yosemite has actively controlled invasive plant populations since the 1930s and these efforts continue today. Park staff has aggressively managed highly invasive species over the last several years. This control program includes the use of Geographic Positioning System technology to map plant populations. Crews then remove plants using a variety of techniques, including hand-pulling. Treated areas are photographed and re-visited each year to assess results and provide follow-up treatment.
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| Star Thistle |
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The Parkwide Invasive Plant Management Plan and Environmental Assessment available for review. See link below.
This plan will explore alternatives for a comprehensive, prioritized program of prevention and early detection, control, systematic monitoring, and research. Some of the goals are to:
- Prevent new invasions through systematic early detection and prevention.
- Prioritize existing populations and sites for control.
- Reduce the number of existing plants to minimize threats to natural and cultural resources and scenic values.
- Preserve plants and sites valued by Native Americans.
- Reconcile potential conflicts between preservation of cultural landscapes and removal of invasive plants.
- Promote restoration of native species and habitats in ecosystems that have been invaded by invasive plants.
- Implement the most appropriate control technique for each species and site.
- Ensure that the invasive plant program is regularly monitored and improved, environmentally safe, and is supported by science and research.
- Promote an understanding of invasive species with park visitors, employees, park partners, and gateway communities.
- Provide information to the public on when, where, and how control efforts will take place.
- Control methods may include hand-pulling, use of mechanical weed removal tools, release of predatory insects or fungi, judicious use of chemical treatments derived from natural products such as vinegar and/or manufactured chemicals such as glyphosate.
Documents pertaining to the Parkwide Invasive Plant Management Plan include:
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| NPS Photo |
| Yosemite employee and volunteer removing invasive Bull Thistle. |
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Did You Know?
Natural fires in Yosemite are often no more than a single burning snag (standing dead tree) or a slow moving, low intensity fire that cleans underbrush from the forest floor. These fires prevent unwanted fires by removing accumulating forest debris that can fuel a larger fire in hot, dry conditions.
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Last Updated: October 09, 2008 at 19:22 EST |
