Restoring Native Grasslands in Dinosaur National Monument: A Battle Against Invasive Species

An Invasive Plant Management Team member sprays dyed herbicide on field of invasive species.

NPS

In an effort to restore the natural beauty and ecological balance of Dinosaur National Monument, a comprehensive five-year project was launched in 2024 to manage invasive species and promote native grasslands. The initiative targets areas affected by fires near Dinosaur, Colorado, and Jensen, Utah, which have seen a dramatic shift from native perennial bunchgrass and shrub-dominated landscapes to ones overrun by invasive species.

The Problem: Fires in recent years have transformed native grasslands within Dinosaur National Monument, allowing invasive species such as cheatgrass, Russian thistle, kochia, and bulbous bluegrass to take over. These invaders threaten high-use recreational areas, infrastructure, and cultural resources, including campgrounds, trails, and the historic Chew Ranch with increased fire risk and severity, and decreased soil retention. These species also result in tumbleweeds which choke drainages and crowd roadways and crowd out native species like western wheatgrass, Indian ricegrass, needle and thread grass, annual sunflower, Rocky Mountain bee plant, winterfat, Scarlet globemallow, saltbush, and sagebrush which provide nutrient sources for pollinators and habitats for native bird species.

The Plan: The project, running from 2024 to 2028, aims to suppress specific invasive species using targeted herbicides and mechanical controls. Contracted services, local county weed departments, and the National Park Service's Invasive Plant Management Team (IPMT) carry out the treatments. The use of truck-mounted and backpack sprayers has been supplemented by hand pulling in high-use areas.

Objectives:

1. Restoration of Native Grasslands: By controlling invasive species, the project seeks to allow native plants to regain their competitive edge and restore the natural ecosystem.
2. Fire Severity Reduction: Suppressing invasive species will reduce fine fuels, mitigating potential fire damage to infrastructure and cultural/natural resources.
3. Building Resiliency: Enhancing the ecosystem's ability to resist future invasions is a key goal.

Visitor Impacts: Short term visual evidence of the treatments may include tire tracks in areas not usually open to vehicles, blue dye in herbicides sprayed on targeted species, and areas of ground disturbance in places where plants have been pulled. All these impacts are temporary and will fade with time.

Monitoring and Effectiveness: The effectiveness of these treatments is monitored annually by Dinosaur National Monument's Resource Stewardship and Science staff. Five monitoring plots have been established and are observed, recording species presence, percentage cover by functional group, and plant vigor. The project aligns with the 2006 Dinosaur National Monument Invasive Plant Management Plan, ensuring it meets established guidelines. Based on the success of a similar project in Echo Park, expectations are high for the restoration of native grasslands and the reduction of invasive species.This ambitious project represents a significant step towards preserving the natural beauty and ecological integrity of Dinosaur National Monument, ensuring that future generations can enjoy its unique landscapes and biodiversity.