Arches and Canyonlands National Park

This morning we met Mary Moran, a biological technician with the National Park Service who focuses on vegetation and water resources in Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. We began our tour by taking a hike through Lower Courthouse Wash on the south side of Arches. The trail follows a canyon with riparian habitat. Along the trail, Mary pointed out several strategies that are used to control invasive species, such as salt cedar, Tamarix ramosissima and Russian olive, Elaeagnus angustifolia. The Tamarisk beetle, introduced by the county beginning in 2004, has had a significant impact on Tamarix through feeding on the leaves and stems. Successful control of Elaegnus has been achieved by girdling the trees or cutting them down completely, stacking the brush in a pile and returning in the winter to burn the pile.

Mary also told us about the importance of biological soil crust, a mixture of cyanobacteria, green algae, lichens and mosses. Together these organisms act like a glue to hold the soil together and prevent erosion, which is especially important in exposed, windy desert environments. Over time, the organisms add nutrients to the soil through nitrogen fixation and organic decomposition. Crusts build soil structure over time, paving the way for vascular plants to colonize the area.

Next, Mary accompanied us on a driving tour of Arches and Canyonlands, where we enjoyed scenic vistas and interesting plants.



Eriogonum inflatum, which we saw at the Gunnison Gorge, was alive and showing its inflated stems at the trailhead.

Mary leads the group through Lower Courthouse Wash.
 

 

Biological soil crust


 

Double arch
 

 

Fraxinus anomala, single-leaf ash

Canyonlands National Park