Upland Vegetation Monitoring in Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area: 2024 Trip Report

This report summarizes findings from the 2024 Greater Yellowstone Network (GRYN) long-term monitoring of upland vegetation at Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area (BICA). Within ten frames, 575 quadrats were sampled in 2024, with a total of 29 different vegetation species observed. Six non-native species were observed: cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), smooth brome (Bromus inermis), saltlover (Halogeton glomeratus), St. Johnswort (Hypericum perforatum), Russian thistle (Salsola tragus), and Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis). At least one invasive species occurred within six out of ten frames. Cheatgrass had the most observations and the highest cover. St. Johnswort, a non-native forb, was observed in one quadrat within Frame 70. This is the first time this species has been documented in BICA. Utah juniper (Juniperus osteosperma), Rocky Mountain juniper (Juniperus scopulorum), and curl-leaf mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus ledifolius) recruits (small trees less than 10 cm in height) were recorded in seven frames. Tent caterpillars (Malacosoma californicum) were detected in every frame that had curl-leaf mountain mahogany (Frames 20, 120, and 150). To learn more about this vital sign, visit GRYN’s Upland Vegetation webpage.