Chihuahuan Desert Network Exotic Plant Trend Report

National park units are deluged by new exotic species arriving via predictable avenues such as road, trail, and riparian corridors and via unexpected anthropogenic avenues such as weed seeds in restoration planting mixes. As a result, invasive/exotic plant species continue to be a management priority for the National Park Service. Invasive/exotic plants have consistently ranked as a top vital sign for long-term monitoring as part of the NPS Inventory and Monitoring Program. The Chihuahuan Desert Network, the Sonoran Desert Network, and the Southern Plains Network developed a shared Multi-Network Exotic Plant Monitoring Plan designed to provide a uniform approach for these networks to address this critical issue.