A vegetation monitoring effort at parks within the NPS Northern Great Plains Inventory & Monitoring Network (NGPN) was initiated in 2010 and the NPS Fire Ecology Program has been monitoring vegetation in these parks since 199 7. From this work, the NPS has identified a large number of species, some
of which are not on the ‘official’ park species list maintained in NPS species.
NGPN will work with the Wyoming Natural Diversity Database (WYNDD) with the University of Wyoming to evaluate existing monitoring data and do additional botanical surveys to update park plant species lists STATEMENT OF JOINT OBJECTIVES/PROJECT MANAGEMENT PLAN WYNDD and NGPN will collaborate to update plant species lists in the Northern Great Plains (Table 1).
Specifically, our objectives are:
1. Develop a detailed study plan and prioritize the parks for plant species lists to be completed.We anticipated funds will be available for 1-4 park units and that Fort Laramie NHS andMount Rushmore NMem will be the first to be completed.
2. Compile and validate records from past NPS monitoring efforts and other botanical work donewithin the park units.
Where possible, verify plant species using voucher specimens.
3. Conduct targeted botanical field surveys within park units.
4. Update official park species lists through NPSpecies (or its equivalent).
7 5. Work with the park interpretative division to develop plant checklists or other educational materials related to plant species.
Table 1. Potential Parks to be surveyed.
Parks in bold represent first priority.
Park State Boundary acres Number of plant species (NPSspecies) Number of species observed 1998-2015 (NPS data) Potential new species Agate Fossil Beds NM NE 3058 453 277 TBD Badlands NP SD 242,756 634 357 TBD Fort Laramie NHS WY 833 313 200 TBD Fort Union Trading Post NHS ND 444 386 TBD TBD Jewel Cave NM SD 1274 425 285 TBD Knife River Indian Villages NHS ND 1758 337 TBD TBD Mount Rushmore NMem SD 1278 465 TBD TBD Scotts Bluff NM NE 3005 418 250 TBD Theodore Roosevelt NP ND 70,447 680 TBD TBD Wind Cave NP SD 33,851 871 424 TBD RECIPIENT INVOLVEMENT 1. The WYNDD staff will meet with a NPS technical representative (NPGN Vegetation Ecologist) to develop a study plan and to discuss logistics and permits for future work.
2. WYNDD will update plant species lists in 2-10 park units during 2016-202 0. The field work may be conducted by a student or technician level person, with guidance and oversight by a senior botanist knowledgeable of botanical survey techniques.
3. WYNDD will work to update plant species lists in NPSpecies (or its equivalent).
Data should be provided updated to NPSpecies as soon as is possible after completion of the work.
4. WYNDD will complete a report by December 31st of 2016 that summarizes recommendations for the 2017-2021 field work.
By December 31, 2016 - 2019 an annual report that summarizes the survey effort, the quantity and quality of data collected, and recommendations for future work based on field experiences will be completed.
By December 31, 2021, a final report that summarizes all field work will be completed.
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE INVOLVEMENT 1. Issue the necessary NPS research permits for this study; 2. Participate and collaborate jointly with the WYNDD in carrying out the scope of work.
3. To provide a NPS technical representative to assist with specifics of the project as needed.
The NPS technical representative and ATR will assist with project from start to completion of the report.
NPS staff will contribute at least 80 hours of assistance.
4. Provide monitoring data to WYNDD, mounted specimens (when applicable), and local knowledge and expertise to WYNDD on botany and previous studies.
5. The Network ATR and technical representative will monitor the performance of this Agreement by communicating on a regular basis with the PI.
6. Jointly participate in the development and review of the reports; NPS technical representative will do species identification of the audio files for data analysis, and final reports.
7. NGPN will be responsible for final storage of the data, 8. Incorporating findings into I&M monitoring efforts and national level work