Invasive Exotic Plant Monitoring at Zion National Park: 2023 Field Season

View from the West Rim Trail in Zion National Park.

NPS/Amy Washuta

Why Monitoring Matters

At a Glance

• 22 infestations of 4 priority invasive plant species were recorded in 2023.
• Scotch thistle and whitetop were the most prevalent priority species.
• Cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) was present in 50% of transects across all routes.
• Scotch thistle infestations have decreased significantly since 2015–2016.

Invasive exotic plants (IEPs)—plants that are not native and can quickly spread in new areas—are growing across Zion National Park (NP). Species like Scotch thistle (Onopordum acanthium) and whitetop (Cardaria sp.) are widespread and can crowd out native vegetation, degrade wildlife habitat, and change how visitors experience the landscape. These plants disrupt ecosystems and can reduce plant diversity and the presence of native pollinators. Monitoring IEPs helps park managers focus control efforts, protect native species, and keep the landscape healthy. This update highlights current trends, high-risk areas, and ongoing challenges..

What We Found

In 2023, Northern Colorado Plateau Network (NCPN) crews recorded 55 patches of 4 priority invasive plant species along more than 83 kilometers (51.6 miles) of monitoring routes in the park (Table 1). Scotch thistle and whitetop were the most prevalent species (Figure 1). These plants were commonly found along roads, trails, and other disturbed areas.

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What's a priority "IEP"?

Priority invasive species are those identified by park and NCPN staff as having the greatest potential to harm park ecosystems and are the focus of early detection and control efforts.

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Table 1. Priority species observed and infestation size class detected along all monitoring routes, Zion NP, May 24–31, 2023.

Common Name Scientific name	Total Infestations	No Size Class Recorded	1–3 Plants	3 Plants– 40 m²	40– 400 m²	400– 1000 m²	>1000 m²
Siberian elm Ulmus pumila	3	1	1	1	0	0	3
Scotch thistle Onopordum acanthium	12	2	8	2	0	0	12
whitetop Cardaria sp.	6	0	6	0	0	0	6
summer-cypress Bassia scoparia	1	0	0	1	0	0	1
Priority Species, Total	22	3	15	4	0	0	22

Figure 1. Invasive Scotch thistle (Onopordum acanthium) at Zion National Park.

NPS/Amy Washuta

Patterns differed across species and sites. Routes like Kolob Scenic Drive and Smith Mesa Road had the highest number of infestations recorded in 2023. In contrast, ten trails—including West Rim Trail and Wildcat Canyon Trail—had no priority species detected.

Cheatgrass was the most widespread species in transects, present in over 50% of transects. Cover was especially high in western routes, averaging 1.81% across those areas.

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What’s a “transect”?

A transect is a sampling line or path that researchers follow, stopping at regular points to record observations about plants, soil, wildlife, or other natural features.

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Siberian elm (Ulmus pumila), which had been more common in earlier years, was detected less frequently in 2023, suggesting progress in control efforts.

Despite declines in some species, infestations remain in key routes and disturbed areas, underscoring the need for continued monitoring and targeted control. Early detections and shifts in species presence highlight the value of ongoing surveillance across Zion’s most vulnerable areas.

How We Collected the Data

Crews surveyed 18 monitoring routes from May 24–31, 2023, covering about 83.1 km (51.6 miles) (Figure 2). They recorded invasive plant locations, species, and patch size. Most routes followed roads, trails, or other areas with frequent disturbance.

Figure 2. Overview map of invasive exotic plant monitoring routes surveyed at Zion NP, May 24–31, 2023.

NPS/Aneth Wight, Eliot Rendleman

Consistent methods were used to estimate how likely it was to detect each plant species in the field. This helps ensure accuracy across different routes and survey teams. Teams walked along each route and documented all visible infestations within a 4–10 meter-wide area. Quadrats were placed at set distances along survey lines to estimate plant cover and soil characteristics.

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What’s a “quadrat”?

A quadrat is a small square frame used to closely examine and measure the plants and ground cover in a specific spot.

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What Comes Next

Invasive plant densities and species composition differed by route. Kolob Scenic Drive and Smith Mesa Road had the highest densities of priority invasive plants in 2023, while many routes—including West Rim Trail and Wildcat Canyon Trail—had no detections. Scotch thistle and whitetop were the most common priority species, while Siberian elm and bull thistle were detected less frequently than in past years, suggesting progress from ongoing control efforts.

Park managers can use these findings to better detect, manage, and prevent the spread of invasive plants at Zion National Park.

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Information in this article was summarized from Invasive exotic plant monitoring at Zion National Park: 2023 field season by T. Nash. Content was edited and formatted for the web by E. Rendleman.