Volunteer Efforts to Remove Arundo donax (Giant...

Volunteer Efforts to Remove Arundo donax (Giant Reed) from Arundo donax (Giant Reed) from

Sabino Canyon

Jim WashburneUA-SAHRA*-AZrivers

October 8, 2009

Washburne/RupprechtArundo Removal Project* Sustainability of semi-Arid Hydrology & Riparian Areas, an NSF Sci.&Tech. Ctr.

Desert splendor or Desert invader ?

Washburne/RupprechtArundo Removal Project

Tucson Arundo Removal

Mission:• To coordinate and facilitate the removal

of Arundo donax in the Tucson area• Effectively clear Sabino canyon by 2011Goals:Goals:• Supervise removal activities• Educate the public about this threatEducate the public about this threat• Encourage public participation• Protect our riparian ecosystems system

Washburne/Rupprecht

• Protect our riparian ecosystems system

Arundo Removal Project

THE PLANT


Arundo donax L

Giant Cane, Elephant Grass, Spanish Cane, Carrizo Cane

• Monocot, Poaceae (grass)• Stalk and leaves resemble corn and is

sometimes confused with Bamboo• Rapidly grows to 20 feet (3-4 in/day)

O i i ll f M dit /P i G lf• Originally from Mediterranean/Persian Gulf• Introduced to area as:

– landscape plant, wind break, erosion control

James H. Miller, USDA Chris Evans, River to River

Washburne/Rupprecht

p p , ,


Arundo donax L


Water UsePlant Water use

[af/ac/yr]Ratio

Arundo / Plant

A d d 1 20 1Arundo donax1 20 1Tamarisk2 4-6 ~4Alf lf 5 4Alfalfa 5 ~4Cottonwood3 ~2 ~10M it 4 1 4 5 20Mesquite4 1-4 5-20

Fast growing thirsty

Characteristics of invasive plants:Hardy, drought tolerant, rapidly re-colonize disturbed areas, spreads readily, out competes


, p y, pnative plants, degrades natural habitat

it will continue to spread unless we take action

HOW BAD CANHOW BAD CANIT GET?

The problem:Gi d l l h l iGiant reed can completely overwhelm native

vegetation, which reduces wildlife habitat, increases fire risks and interferes with flood control


Southwestern & MX Infestations

California~10,000 acres

Rio Grande – Big Bend to Del Rio~60,000 acres

L C l Ri


Cuatro Cienegas~275 acres

Lower Colo.River~5,000 acres

Tucson Experience

UA area Sabino Canyon Dr & Rillito

Present in most central neighborhoods


Rillito River

WHY NOW?


June 2003 Aspen Fire


July 2006 Debris Flows

2006 2008


Effects of Scouring & Debris Flows

OUR EXPERIENCE IN SABINO

CANYONCANYON


Team leader training

25 leaders trained to lead groups of 5-10lead groups of 5 10 people


Field orientation…getting started


Removing stalks & rootsRemoving stalks & roots

Before After 2 hours of workBefore After 2 hours of work


Maintaining the flow


Volunteers


GPS Mapping

• Started May 2008y• ~500 stands mapped


Clean-up


Disposal Strategy?


Other uses

Pascua Yaqui TribeTucson Permaculture Inst.Sonoran Kitchen Gardens


So o c e G de sTucson Symphony

Historical uses

• Erosion control• Reed instruments• Paper• Basketry• Structures – wind/sun• Fishing rods• Arrow shaftsArrow shafts• Ornamental

Marsh Arab hut


Ref: plantsforuse.com

Marsh Arab hutiraqupdate.wordpress.com/2007/07/31/

Impact to date

2007-2008 2008-2009

Volunteers 54 542

Hours (@4hr/da) 216 2100+850

Bags 79 740

Bundles 100 (est) 910

Stands ~100

Fun Facts (2008-2009)( )@ $20/hr, about $42,000 of field volunteer time@ 1 bag/4 ft2, about 3,000 ft2 => only 55’x55’!!@ 20 stalks/bundle, about 18,200 stalks


Progress as of 9/09 – Thanks!


Can’t rest on our laurels …


Danger – it keeps going


OTHEROTHEREFFORTS


Tucson Arundo Project – Area of Interest

SabinoCanyon

LegendWork areas

ActiveFuture

SantaCruz3 i Future3 mi


Bear Creek – w/RFCD & TNC


Rillito - West of Swan

Washburne/Rupprecht

Craycroft to Sabino Canyon Dr

Washburne/Rupprecht

REMOVAL REMOVAL STRATEGIES


Tools of the Trade


Herbicide Application

• After the winter field season, the USFS applied herbicide

• Targets new growth from stands cut & dug by volunteersby volunteers


Chemical Control• Rodeo® (54% Glyphosate)

– Cut – stump (Oct) (-76%) (-99%)100% li d t t ft tti• 100% applied to stem soon after cutting

– Cut – spray (Sept) (-82%) (-50%var)• 1.5-2% foliar application (Sabino @ 5%)

N t ( 33%)– No cut - spray (-33%)– Control (+21%)


More about Glyphosate

• Best applied just after floweringi iToxicity:

• Rana frogs & flathead minnow (Gly)– 96-hr LC50 ~1200 mg/L– Actual values after 1hr ~ 0.1 mg/L

Bl ill fi h & R i b t t (R 11)• Bluegill sunfish & Rainbow trout (R-11)– 96-hr LC50 ~4.0 mg/L

Actual values after 1 hr ~ 013 mg/L– Actual values after 1 hr ~ .013 mg/L

• “poses no significant toxicity hazard to non-target fish and frog species”

Washburne/Rupprecht

non target fish and frog species


Teamarundo.org/control_manage/DFG-EPAreport.html

Biological Control

Arundo waspT t l it i th• Tetramesa romana lays its eggs in the cane stem, where the larva cause galls to form in the stem and kill the cane.

Arundo fly • Cryptonevra sp. larva kill new plant shoots. yp p p

Arundo scale• Rhizaspidiotus donacis feeds on the plantRhizaspidiotus donacis feeds on the plant

rhizomes.

Washburne/Rupprecht

Un-intended consequences??

Arundo Removal Projectwww.homelandsecurity.org/journal/Default.aspx?oid=154&ocat=1

WHY IT WORKS&

CURRENT STATUSCURRENT STATUS


Collaboration / Leverage

Jim Washburne, time & resources

Candice Rupprecht, time & resources

Stan Helin, time & resources

Rice/Becker, coord.

Sh i B fi ld d &Sherrie Barfield, coord. & resources

Mark & Jean Hengesbaugh, time2

Phillip Bentley $1120 tool grantPhillip Bentley, $1120 tool grant

Kendall Kroesen, time & coord.


…Pascal Yaqui

Why it works

• Compelling problem• Organizational core & expertise• Mutual interests• Access to basic resources• Strong volunteer networkg• Public support because of visible areas• Long-term focusLong term focus• Catching the problem in-time

– its doable!


Future Activities

• Expand efforts to Rillito wash• Looking for other groups to work with

around town– Scouts– Neighborhood groups

• Join forces with permaculture communityA ff ti f l ff t• Assess effectiveness of removal efforts

• Study growth and herbicide factors


www.sahra.arizona.edu/education2/arundo

Web site used to:• Inform public• Coordinate

volunteers• Share best

practices• Report progress• Provide additional

information


www.sahra.arizona.edu/education2/arundo


Other Local Invasive Grasses

Buffelgrass – Pennisetum ciliare

Washburne/RupprechtArundo Removal ProjectCheatgrass – Bromus tectorumFountain grass – Pennisetum setaceum

Bear Canyon / Hidden Valley


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