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Invasive Plants in the United States National Parks

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Plant Invasions in Protected Areas

Part of the book series: Invading Nature - Springer Series in Invasion Ecology ((INNA,volume 7))

Abstract

Natural area parks managed by the United States National Park Service were established to protect native species and historical (but living) landscapes and scenery, and to provide public enjoyment of the same, as long as the natural area remained “unimpaired for future generations.” A growing human population, and a 40-fold increase global trade and transportation may provide the most significant challenge to Park Service management: the invasion of alien plants, animals, and diseases into so called ‘protected areas’. General ecological theory suggests that an increase in biological diversity should increase the overall stability of an ecosystem. We provide examples of plant invasions in U.S. National Parks to show that, despite increases in plant diversity, alien plant species are capable of greatly affecting the native species that the parks were established to protect. Furthermore, alien plant species are affecting natural patterns of grazing, disturbance, and nutrient cycling, resulting in decreased habitat quality, perhaps providing less resistance and resilience to natural and anthropogenic stresses such as climate change, land use change, recreation, and future invasions. The primary mission of the National Park Service, protecting native species and ecosystems for present and future generations, may be increasingly difficult due to the continuing invasions of alien organisms. Key elements of an effective invasive plant management programme are identified.

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Author information

Author notes

  1. Lloyd L. Loope

    Present address: 751 Pelenaka Place, Makawao, HI, 96768, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. US Geological Survey, Fort Collins Science Center, 2150 Centre Ave. Bldg. C, Fort Collins, CO, 80526, USA

    Thomas J. Stohlgren

  2. USGS Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center, Haleakala Field Station, Makawao (Maui), HI, 96768, USA

    Lloyd L. Loope

  3. Grand Canyon National Park, 1824 S. Thompson Street Suite 200, Flagstaff, AZ, 86001, USA

    Lori J. Makarick

Authors
  1. Thomas J. Stohlgren
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  2. Lloyd L. Loope
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  3. Lori J. Makarick
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Thomas J. Stohlgren .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. South African National Parks, Centre for Invasion Biology Conservation Services, Skukuza, South Africa

    Llewellyn C. Foxcroft

  2. Department of Invasion Ecology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic Institute of Botany, průhonice, Czech Republic

    Petr Pyšek

  3. Department of Botany and Zoology, Stellenbosch University Center for Invasion Biology, Stellenbosch, South Africa

    David M. Richardson

  4. ISPRA Institute for Environmental Protection and Research, and Chair IUCN SSC Invasive Species Specialist Group, Rome, Italy

    Piero Genovesi

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Stohlgren, T.J., Loope, L.L., Makarick, L.J. (2013). Invasive Plants in the United States National Parks. In: Foxcroft, L., Pyšek, P., Richardson, D., Genovesi, P. (eds) Plant Invasions in Protected Areas. Invading Nature - Springer Series in Invasion Ecology, vol 7. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-7750-7_13

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