ECOSYSTEM

Natural Processes Restore, to the extent practicable, ecological patterns and processes within their range of natural variability, including the natural abundance, diversity, and genetic and ecological integrity of the plant and animal species native to those ecosystems. Desired Future Condition for Native Species and Biotic Communities Native Species: Native fish species and their habitats (including critical habitats) sustainably maintained throughout in each species’ natural ranges in the CRE. • A healthy, self-sustaining populations of other remaining native fish with appropriate distribution (flannelmouth sucker, bluehead sucker, speckled dace, so that listing under the ESA is not needed. Nonfish Biotic Communities: Native non-fish aquatic biota and their habitats are sustainably maintained with ecologically appropriate distributions. • Populations of native non-fish species (invertebrates and vertebrates, including Northern Leopard Frog). - AMP support, actions and funding are limited to incorporation of dam operations which are conducive to restoration of extirpated species. • Minimize the abundance and distribution of non-native species in the CRE. • Sustainable dam-influenced aquatic, wetland, and springs plant communities and associated biological processes, including those supporting threatened and endangered species and their habitats. CRE Riparian Domain: Native riparian systems, in various stages of maturity, are diverse, healthy, productive, self-sustaining, and ecologically appropriate. • Native, self-sustaining riverine wetlands, and riparian vegetation and habitat, with appropriate mixture of age classes. • Healthy, self-sustaining populations of native riparian fauna (both resident and migratory). • Habitat for sensitive species within the CRE • Encourage the resolution of the taxonomic status of the Kanab ambersnail (e.g., completely describe the taxa and subspecies). • Habitat for neotropical migratory birds, waterfowl, and other appropriate native bird species. • Ecological functions of tributary mouths and riverside springs, including habitat for native species.

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Updates Riparian Vegetation [1] [2] [3]

Papers and Presentations 2016 Linkages Between Lake Powell Reservoir and the Colorado River Below Glen Canyon Dam Riparian Vegetation Monitoring with Remote Sensing Sankey, T.T., Sankey, J.B., Horne, R., Bedford, A., 2016, Remote Sensing of Tamarisk Biomass, Insect Herbivory, and Defoliation: Novel Methods in the Grand Canyon Region, Arizona: Photogrammetric Engineering and Remote Sensing 82(8), pp. 645-652 Linkages between controlled floods, eddy sandbar dynamics, and riparian vegetation along the Colorado River in Marble Canyon, Arizona, USA Riparian vegetation monitoring with remote sensing Southern Paiute Consortium Vegetation and Cultural Resource Monitoring Program Historical Changes to Culturally-Important Riparian Plants along the Colorado River: A Progress Report on Project 12 Report of Riparian Vegetation Workshop, June 23-25, 2015 in Flagstaff, AZ The Biogeographic Significance of a Large, Deep Canyon: Grand Canyon, Southwestern USA Ecosystem Monitoring in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area 2015 The Stakeholder's Perspective - The National Parks Conservation Association Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program Update Collaborative Riparian Restoration in Glen Canyon NRA at Leopard Frog Marsh USGS State of the Colorado River Ecosystem in the Grand Canyon- c1282 2014 Report on Ten Years of Implementing the Lower Colorado Multi-Species Conservation Program (MSCP) 2012 According to the Basin Study (2012)] results suggested that ecological and recreational metrics were amongst the most vulnerable to future conditions...[Source: 2.4;Figure 2.3]*LINK Other Stuff General Wildlife Approximately 355 Bird, 89 mammal, 47 reptile, 9 amphibian, and thousands of aquatic and terrestrial invertebrate species can be found in GCNP and GCNRA's Glen Canyon reach. (NPS CFMP-EA_pg 19) General Plant Species Approximately 129 vegetation communities, Over 850 species have been reported from GCNRA, and over 1,750 vascular plant species from GCNP (NPS CFMP-EA_pg 19) Riparian communities are dominated by species such as coyote and seep willows, arrowweed, western honey mesquite, catclaw acacia, and exotic tamarisk with many other species present. Desert Scrub communities are dominated by species such as creosote, white bursage, brittle bush, ocotillo, four-wing saltbush, big sagebrush, ephedra, dropseed, brome grasses, and many other species. Approximately 11% of flora in GCNP and GC reach is exotic.