Nonnative Invasive Species

Surveying invasive reed canary grass at Ross Lake, North Cascades National Park

NPS

Species are called nonnative or exotic when they occur in a place as the result of human activities rather than natural processes. Some nonnative species degrade native ecosystems because they are able to reproduce and displace native species. Examples of invasive nonnative species in North Coast and Cascades Network parks include:

• Reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea)
• Bull thistle (Cirsium arvense) and Canada thistle (Cirsium canadensis)
• Cheat grass (Bromus tectorum)
• Brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis)
• European green crab (Carcinus maenas)
• Brown and black slugs (Arion rufus)

In the North Coast and Cascades Network, we conduct inventories to document nonnative species, implement actions to control them, and monitor the results of our management actions. We have an Exotic Plant Management Team that works across all parks to control nonnative plant species and work with researchers and adjacent agencies on all efforts.

For More Information

Rochefort RM and Others. 2016. Exotic plant inventories in Mount Rainier, North Cascades, and Olympic National Parks. NPS/NCCN/NRR—2016/1279. National Park Service. Fort Collins, Colorado