Abstract
Road Use Intensity on Two Invasive Species in Southwest Colorado Track: Ecology and Conservation Author(s): Matthew Grund, Julie Korb Invasive plant species decrease native biodiversity and threaten the overall ecology and economy of infested areas. Cirsium arvense (Canada thistle) and Linaria vulgaris (toadflax) are two high risk invasive plants in San Juan County, Colorado. In 2002, an invasive plant survey reported that these two species accounted for 64% of the total invasive plant species occurrences in the county. The main objectives of my study were threefold: quantify cover changes in Canada thistle and toadflax along infrequently and heavily used roads in San Juan County; document new occurrences in 2006 for both of these species along the same roads; and create a user friendly GIS map using ArcGIS that the county can use for public education on the presences of Canada thistle and toadflax, changes in cover between 2002 and 2006, and quantify other environmental variables, including distance from water and elevation, affecting the presence of these two species. Matthew Grund Fort Lewis College Biology 30 Folsom Pl. Durango , CO 81301 US Phone: (970) 385-1786 E-mail: mjgrund@fortlewis.edu Julie Korb Fort Lewis College Biology 1000 Rim Drive Durango , CO 81301 US Phone: 970 382-6905 E-mail: korb_j@fortlewis.edu |
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