Integrating climate and trait models to predict the invasiveness of exotic plants in Canada’s Riding Mountain National Park

2007 ◽  
Vol 87 (5) ◽  
pp. 1001-1012 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Otfinowski ◽  
N. C. Kenkel ◽  
P. Dixon ◽  
J. F. Wilmshurst
Keyword(s):  
Biological Invasions ◽  
Exotic Species ◽  
Vascular Plants ◽  
National Park ◽  
Exotic Plants ◽  
Biological Traits ◽  
Synthetic Approach ◽  
Natural Areas ◽  
Riding Mountain National Park ◽  
Climatic Range

Invasive exotic species threaten the biodiversity and function of native ecosystems. Existing models, attempting to predict successful invaders, often emphasize isolated stages of biological invasions and fail to formalize interactions between exotic species and recipient environments. By integrating the native climatic range and biological traits of exotic vascular plants reported inside and outside Riding Mountain National Park, Manitoba, Canada, we present a model where invasion risk is predicted using the likelihood of establishment and proliferation of exotic species. Exotic vascular plants constituted 11.5% (77/669) of the total vascular flora of Riding Mountain National Park and approximately 14.2% (202/1418) of the flora of Manitoba. Based on their climatic range in Europe, 155 among 174 exotic species absent from the Park, including those found in Manitoba and other natural areas in Canada, were predicted to establish within its boundaries. Among the biological traits of exotic plants, perenniality and vegetative reproduction correctly identified 61% of documented invaders of natural areas in Canada and helped to further define a subset of 40 exotic plants with the highest potential to proliferate within the Park’s natural areas. Among these, 11 are still absent from inside its boundaries and 17 are not yet reported in Manitoba. Our results demonstrate that Riding Mountain National Park and natural areas in western Canada will continue to be impacted by exotic vascular plants. By integrating establishment and proliferation, key stages in the progress of biological invasions, our model offers a synthetic approach to the prediction and management of biological invasions inside natural areas; such integration is critical to the protection of Canada’s endemic biodiversity. Key words: Biological invasions, invasive alien plants, climate-matching model, life history, natural areas, risk assessment

scholarly journals Geographical Analysis of the Distribution and Spread of Exotic Plant Species in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

1998 ◽  
Vol 22 ◽  
pp. 3-12
Author(s):  
Deborah Kurtz ◽  
Richard Aspinall ◽  
Katherine Hansen
Keyword(s):  
Exotic Species ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
National Park ◽  
National Park Service ◽  
Exotic Plants ◽  
Rare Plants ◽  
Exotic Plant ◽  
Exotic Plant Species ◽  
Grand Teton National Park ◽  
Park Service

The effects of introduced exotic species in natural environments are becoming important issues in conservation biology and natural resource management and recent scientific literature reveals increasing concern regarding the spread of invasive exotic plant species (Allen, 1996; Vitousek et al. 1996; Walker and Smith, 1997). Ecological consequences of these species include increased competition for space, water, and nutrients with native plants (which could result in a decrease in biodiversity), decreased forage quality for native ungulates, and changes in the microenvironments where the establishments took place (Woods, 1997). Sheley et al (1998) list several ecologically and economically detrimental impacts of exotic species. The National Park Service recognizes the need to protect ecosystems from exotic species (National Park Service, 1997) through management based on the ability to predict species distributions and spread, and monitoring in areas that are most susceptible to invasion. Recommended strategies for preventing the spread of exotic species include developing an early warning system to identify and eradicate new infestations of exotic plants in National Parks, and continued inventory and monitoring of exotic plants (National Park Service, 1997). These strategies will be based on assessment of the distribution and spread of exotic plants (National Park Service, 1997) using remote sensing and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technologies for mapping and monitoring exotic plants, and models to predict the invasiveness and spread of exotic plants. In Grand Teton National Park (GTNP), exotic species are a great concern for park managers (National Park Service, 1997). Of the 1000 species of flowering plants within GTNP, there are also four (possibly five) rare plants that may be threatened as a result of competition with exotics (Wyoming Rare Plant Technical Committee, 1994): Draba borealis (Boreal draba), Epipactis gigantea (Giant helleborine), Lesquerella carinata var. carinata (Keeled bladderpod), Lesquerella paysonni (Payson's bladderpod), and possibly Draba densifolia var. apiculata (Rockcress draba). The continued survival of these sensitive plants in GTNP increases the need for management of exotic plants. GTNP has implemented a classification system for exotic plant species that consists of three priority levels (GTNP, 1997a). Priority 1 species are designated as "noxious" since they are capable of invading natural ecosystems and disrupting or displacing native vegetation. Currently, there are thirteen exotic plant species with a Priority 1 status within GTNP (Table 1 ).

scholarly journals Hybridization of Snake River Cutthroat in the Lower Gros Ventre River

2006 ◽  
Vol 30 ◽  
pp. 110-113
Author(s):  
Ryan Kovach ◽  
Lisa Eby
Keyword(s):  
Exotic Species ◽  
National Park ◽  
Cutthroat Trout ◽  
Snake River ◽  
Oncorhynchus Clarki ◽  
Oncorhynchus Clarkii ◽  
Grand Teton National Park ◽  
Water Diversions ◽  
Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout ◽  
Special Concern

The cutthroat trout Oncorhynchus clarki is Wyoming's only native trout. The Yellowstone cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii bouvieri) is designated as a "species of special concern" by a number of agencies and conservation groups. Although the Yellowstone cutthroat trout has recently avoided federal listing because of robust headwater populations (USFWS 2006), they face continued threats across their range. The fine-spotted Snake River native trout is a morphologically divergent ecotype of the Yellowstone subspecies, although it is not genetically distinguishable (Allendorf and Leary 1988, Novak et al. 2005). The Gros Ventre, an important tributary of the Snake River located partially in Grand Teton National Park, historically supported robust populations of fine­ spotted Snake River cutthroat trout. Principal threats to Gros Ventre native trout, especially in the lower end of the drainage within the park boundaries, include both water diversions (loss of water and fish into irrigation ditches) and presence of exotic species.

scholarly journals Mushrooms of Grand Teton National Park

1983 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 59-71
Author(s):  
Kent McKnight ◽  
Kimball Harper ◽  
Karl McKnight
Keyword(s):  
National Parks ◽  
Vascular Plants ◽  
National Park ◽  
Annual Report ◽  
Plant Cover ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
Soil Samples ◽  
Site Quality ◽  
Soil Parameters ◽  
Quantitative Estimates

The primary overall objective of inventorying the macrofungi growing in and around Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks was partially achieved with the published checklist (McKnight 1982) and additions from the 1982 Research Center Annual Report (McKnight, Harper, & McKnight 1984). The intensive collecting of the 1982 fruiting season including a 12-week phenological study at 11 selected sites left many species unidentified and numerous others observed but not collected, or with inadequately annotated collections made. Litter and soil moisture data for the 11 study stands are also given in the 1982 annual report cited above, as well as data on 15 overstory and understory vegetation and soil parameters. Field studies in the Parks during the summer of 1983 concentrated on (1) identification of chlorophyllous and vascular plants at the 11 sites selected for concentrated study in 1982; (2) quantitative estimates of chlorophyllous plant cover and height; (3) estimates of site quality; (4) collections of composite soil samples; and (5) additional records of macrofungi for the Parks with supporting data in the form of photographs, drawings, and annotations.

scholarly journals Acquisition of fungi from the environment modifies ambrosia beetle mycobiome during invasion

PeerJ ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. e8103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Davide Rassati ◽  
Lorenzo Marini ◽  
Antonino Malacrinò
Keyword(s):  
Biological Invasions ◽  
Exotic Species ◽  
Ecological Factors ◽  
Ambrosia Beetle ◽  
Fungal Communities ◽  
Bottleneck Effect ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Microbial Symbionts ◽  
Insect Fungi ◽  
Native Fungi

Microbial symbionts can play critical roles when their host attempts to colonize a new habitat. The lack of symbiont adaptation can in fact hinder the invasion process of their host. This scenario could change if the exotic species are able to acquire microorganisms from the invaded environment. Understanding the ecological factors that influence the take-up of new microorganisms is thus essential to clarify the mechanisms behind biological invasions. In this study, we tested whether different forest habitats influence the structure of the fungal communities associated with ambrosia beetles. We collected individuals of the most widespread exotic (Xylosandrus germanus) and native (Xyleborinus saxesenii) ambrosia beetle species in Europe in several old-growth and restored forests. We characterized the fungal communities associated with both species via metabarcoding. We showed that forest habitat shaped the community of fungi associated with both species, but the effect was stronger for the exotic X. germanus. Our results support the hypothesis that the direct contact with the mycobiome of the invaded environment might lead an exotic species to acquire native fungi. This process is likely favored by the occurrence of a bottleneck effect at the mycobiome level and/or the disruption of the mechanisms sustaining co-evolved insect-fungi symbiosis. Our study contributes to the understanding of the factors affecting insect-microbes interactions, helping to clarify the mechanisms behind biological invasions.

scholarly journals A conservação de áreas naturais e o Ecoturismo

2014 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
André Scarambone Zaú
Keyword(s):  
Protected Areas ◽  
Conservation Biology ◽  
Rare Species ◽  
National Park ◽  
Olympic Games ◽  
Sustainable Tourism ◽  
Natural Areas ◽  
World Cup ◽  
Viable Population

Qual é o papel do Turismo sustentável e do Ecoturismo nas áreas protegidas? Quais devem ser os preparativos para eventos de grande porte como a Copa do Mundo e os Jogos Olímpicos? Como a Biologia da Conservação pode contribuir para o manejo do Turismo ambiental? Para lidar com essas questões, alguns importantes aspectos da Biologia da Conservação são global e regionalmente contextualizados. São discutidos os conceitos de “biodiversidade”, “espécies comuns e raras”, “população mínima viável”, a necessidade de grandes espaços naturais para alguns organismos, bem como outros aspectos que levam a Conservação da Natureza a ser uma das questões mais importantes para a humanidade nos dias de hoje. The conservation of natural areas and the Ecotourism The role of sustainable tourism and ecotourism in protected areas will become of increased importance for the preparation of upcoming events like the Football World Cup and Olympic Games. Therefore, specific understanding of Conservation Biology should contribute to the management of environmental tourism. To address these issues, some important aspects of Conservation Biology in global and regional scales are contextualized. This paper discusses the concepts of “biodiversity”, “common and rare species”, “minimum viable population”, the need for large natural areas for some organisms, as well as other aspects that make Conservation of Nature one of the most important issues for humanity today. KEYWORDS: National Park; Sustainable Tourism; Conservation Biology.

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