This invasion threatens the integrity of the plant community and is crowding out several of the rare species. This year, a long-term monitoring system will be established at one of the sites. We will also assess whether the use of biological controls for purple loosestrife are practical along the Delaware River shore. In experiments at other places outside the park, the release of one or more species of loosestrife-eating beetles has successfully controlled the alien weed within about 10 years. The first season of a two-year cooperative effort with The Nature Conservancy's Pennsylvania Science Office begins in 1998.
Fens are wetlands having peaty soils and strong groundwater flows.
They often provide habitat for rare species. Flora and fauna surveys are underway this year. Results will provide a framework for development of a monitoring system, which will allow us to measure long-term changes to the fen community and its rare species. Following recommendations from zoologists at the NJ Endangered and Nongame Species Program, we are working with farmers to protect the NJ-threatened wood turtle . The aim is to convert key parcels of cropland from corn to native grasses.