Biodiversity in the Klamath Region

Invasive Species

Plants and animals have evolved together over millions of years fine tuning how they interact with each other. In a healthy system no one plant gets too abundant because there often is an insect that will keep it in check. Populations of rodents never get too large because there is always a raptor waiting to Scotch Broom

swoop in and eat them. A balanced system may then be altered when an INVASIVE SPECIES enters the picture. One of the largest threats to biodiversity for the Klamath Network Parks are invasive species. These are species that are non-native or exotic which are introduced into parklands as the result of human activity and can outcompete and eliminate native species. Non-native species normally don’t have natural predators to keep them in check so they become too abundant and can take over their new environment. Invasive species usually occupy areas where there is the greatest access from humans, near roads, campgrounds, fishing lakes, and hiking trails. Invasive species are the number one concern of most of the national parks because they are believed to be displacing natives. Non-native plants, amphibians, fish and plant pathogens all contribute to the disruption of biodiversity.

Below is more information about invasive species that effect the Klamath Region:

Bullfrogs

Life can be hard for animals struggling to survive out in the wild. They have to deal with harsh weather and spend all of their time either looking for food or trying to reproduce. When you throw in competition from other species and their lives get even more difficult. For the animals that live in the lakes, ponds, and rivers in the Klamath Region, the introduction of the bullfrog makes their struggle more complicated. American Bullfrog

The bullfrog is a non-native frog that can be found in aquatic environments at Crater Lake, Lassen Volcanic, Redwood, Oregon Caves, and Whiskeytown. Its home is on the east coast but people brought it to the west coast to raise as food because they liked to eat its meaty legs. It is a lot bigger then our native frogs and takes over warm ponds and lakes eating everything in sight. In many lakes and rivers it has caused other frogs such as the red-legged frog to be displaced or eliminated completely because they can’t compete. One reason they are so abundant and successful is that fish don’t eat the bullfrog tadpoles because of their toxic skin. Bullfrogs keep reproducing and eating more food that would normally feed other native amphibians. Competition is fierce especially when you have an advantage like the bullfrog does. Biologists are very concerned with the non-native bullfrog and are trying to eliminate it from the waters of the parks so the native amphibians can increase in numbers.

Plant Pathogens

Invasive species are not limited to just plants or animals. Sometimes a fungus or water mold can be introduced and cause harm to a species or habitat. This is the case for the pathogens Port-Orford cedar root rot and white pine blister rust. These two invasive pathogens are becoming a concern within the National Parks because of the impact they are having on two very important trees, Port-Orford cedar and whitebark pine. Both trees are thought to be rare or keystone species within the Klamath Region and their elimination would have a grave impact on the entire ecosystem. Port-Orford cedar root rot is a water mold that enters through the roots of the tree. It is spread either through water during runoff, or it can live in the soil and be picked up by humans or cars and transported to a new area.

White Pine blister rust is a fungus and it lives on a variety of different host plants. Host plants such as currents and gooseberries are not negatively affected by the fungus but help spread white pine blister rust because they grow close to the pines allowing the fungus to easily move to the pine. Both plant pathogens have already had negative impacts on these two tree species. Crater Lake staff estimate that 26% of the whitebark pines on the park's westside have been killed by the fungus. At Reedwood NSP, Port-Orford Cedar root rot has already killed trees and in Oregon Caves, park staff believe that their stands of Port-Orford Cedar are at great risk for infection. Currently park scientists are doing what they can to prevent the further spread of these plant pathogens and are closely monitoring these important timberline trees.

An Outreach and Education Project made possible by the National Park Service, Klamath Network Inventory and Monitoring and Southern Oregon University