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Wildland Weeds Wildland Weeds WINTER 2007 WINTER 2007 Prsrt std U.S. Postage PAID Gainesville, FL Permit No. 726
Wildland WeedsWildland WeedsWinter 2007Winter 2007
Prsrt std
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Gainesville, FL
Permit No. 726
Professional Vegetation Management
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Habitat is a registered trademark and Quality Vegetation Management is a trademark of BASF. ©2007 BASF Corporation. All rights reserved.
Clean Up the Weeds Without Upsetting the locals.
Officers
Alison Fox, Chair University of Florida Agronomy Department 352/392-1811, Ext. 207 [email protected]
Dianne Owen, Secretary Florida Atlantic University 954/236-1085 [email protected]
Ellen Donlan, TreasurerSouth Florida Water
Management District800/432-2045 Ext. [email protected]
Karen Brown, EditorUniversity of FloridaCenter for Aquatic &
Invasive Plants352/[email protected]
Dan Clark, Chair-Elect National Park Service Florida/Caribbean EPMT 305/252-0347 [email protected]
Directors
Alison Higgins (2nd year)The Nature Conservancy
Florida Keys305/745-8402 Ext. [email protected]
William Overholt (2nd year)University of Florida-IFASIndian River Research and
Education Center772/468-3922 Ext. [email protected]
Gary Nichols (2nd year)St. Johns River Water
Management District321/[email protected]
Donna Watkins (2nd year)Florida DEP Bureau of
Natural and Cultural Resources
850/245-3104 [email protected]
LeRoy RodgersSouth Florida Water
Management District561/682-2773 [email protected]
Jennifer Possley (1st year)Fairchild Tropical Botanic
Garden Research Center305/667-1651, ext. [email protected]
Jonathan Taylor (1st year)Everglades National Park305/[email protected]
Sandra Vardaman (1st year)Alachua County Environmental Protection Dept.352/[email protected]
Committee Chairs
BylawsSandra Vardaman
Control & Evaluations Michael MeisenburgUF/IFAS Center for Aquatic
and Invasive Plants352/[email protected]
EditorialKaren Brown
EducationJennifer Possley
FNGA/FLEPPC LiaisonDoria GordonUniversity of FloridaThe Nature Conservancy352/[email protected]
FinanceScott DitmarsenDow AgroSciences813/[email protected]
LegislativeMatthew KingPalm Beach County561/[email protected]
MerchandiseTony Pernas
NominationsJim Burney
OutreachKaty Roberts727/[email protected]
Plant ListKeith BradleyThe Institute for Regional
Conservation305/[email protected]
ResearchBetsy Von HolleUniversity of Central Florida407/[email protected]
Symposium Field Trip CoordinatorDonna Watkins
Symposium Local ArrangementsMike BodleSouth Florida Water
Management District561/[email protected]
Symposium ProgramLeRoy Rodgers
TrainingKen LangelandUniversity of Florida/IFAS352/[email protected]
VendorsTodd OlsonAquatic Vegetation Control561/[email protected]
WebmasterTony Pernas
Task Force Chairs
Australian PineTony Pernas
Brazilian PepperJim CudaUniversity of FloridaEntomology Department352/392-1901 Ext. [email protected]
CarrotwoodChris LockhartHabitat Specialists, Inc.561/[email protected]
DioscoreaWilliam Overholt
GrassesGreg MacDonaldUniversity of FloridaAgronomy Department352/392-1811 Ext. [email protected]
LygodiumKristina [email protected] and LeRoy [email protected]
SkunkvineBrian NelsonSWFWMD352/[email protected]
Chinese TallowDrew LeslieFlorida DEP, Bureau of
Invasive Plant Management 850/245-2822 [email protected]
MelaleucaFrancois LarocheSouth Florida Water
Management District561/[email protected]
FLORIDA EXOTIC PEST PLANT COUNCIL www.fleppc.org
The Exotic Pest Plant Councils have not tested any of the products advertised or referred to in this publication, nor have they verified any of the statements made in any of the advertisements or articles. The Councils do not warrant, expressly or implied, the fitness of any product advertised or the suitability of any advice or statements contained herein.
Wildland Weeds
An exotic plant has been introduced to Florida, either purposefully or accidentally, from a natural range outside of Florida. A naturalized exotic plant is one that sustains itself outside of cultivation (it is still exotic; it has not “become” native). An invasive exotic plant not only has become naturalized, but it is expanding its range in Florida native plant communities.
Wildland Weeds (ISSN 1524-9786) is published quarterly by the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council (FLEPPC) and the Southeast Exotic Pest Plant Council (SE-EPPC) to provide a focus for the issues and for information on exotic pest plant biology, distribution and control.
The mission of the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council is to support the management of invasive exotic plants in Florida’s natural areas by providing a forum for the exchange of scientific, educational and technical information.
Direct all editorial and advertising inquiries to:Karen Brown, EditorWildland Weeds7922 NW 71st StreetGainesville, FL 32653352/392-1799; FAX 352/[email protected]
Direct address changes to:Dianne OwenFLEPPC SecretaryPO Box 23426Fort Lauderdale, FL 33307954/[email protected]
Winter 2007, Volume 11, number 1
Table of Contents 4 Removal of Non-Native Plants from John Williams Park in
Hollywood, Florida Story and photos by Sandy Koi
6 What Makes Air Potato Bulbils Sprout? By William Overholt, Larry Markle and Rodrigo Diaz
8 Givney Key Native Plant Survival: One Year Monitoring Update By William G. Thomas, Jr, Cheryl Parrott and Patrick Martin
10 Evaluating Monitoring Techniques Proposed for Use by FWS Regional Invasive Species Strike Teams: Wedelia EDRR, J.N. “Ding” Darling NWR, Sanibel, Florida By William G. Thomas, Jr, Jason A. Hanley and Chuck R. Loesch
22 Internodes
Editorial Committee:Jim CudaAlison FoxAdam Grayson
Ken LangelandMichael Meisenburg
On the Cover: Michael Terry, SWFWMD,
sprays air potato
(Dioscorea bulbifera)
in Hillsborough County,
Florida. Photo by Michael
Meisenburg.
PresidentTony Pernas National Park ServiceFlorida/Caribbean Exotic
Plant Management Team305/[email protected]
Vice President Joyce Bender Kentucky State Nature
Preserves Commission 502/573-2886 [email protected]
Secretary Kristen Gounaris Allen Richmond National
Battlefield Park 804/795-5019 [email protected]
Treasurer Lee PatrickInvasive Plant Control Inc. 615/[email protected]
Clean Up the Weeds Without Upsetting the locals.
SOUThEAST EXOTIC PEST PLANT COUNCILwww.se-eppc.org
SE-EPPC Chapters and Regional Organizations: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mid-Atlantic, Mississippi, New England, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, USDA-Forest Service
Wildland WEEdS 3
John Williams Park is a twenty-acre park operated by the city of Hollywood in Broward County, Florida. The Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council funded four exotic plant identification and
removal programs during 2006-2007. Two additional identifica-tion and removal programs were scheduled during the year, as well as one native plant installation. Within John Williams Park (JWP) lies ten acres of natural area known as the Sheridan Oaks For-est Natural Area (SOFNA). I originally anticipated including this natural area in the plant workshops, but invasive non-natives had made access difficult for public participation. Consequently, we focused on the open, semi-cultivated area of the park until later (current programs are including the natural area).
Members of the Broward County chapters of the Florida Na-tive Plant Society (FNPS), North American Butterfly Association (NABA), and the University of Florida-IFAS Extension Master Gardeners (MG) were instrumental in instructing the participants and removing exotic plants. All three organizations also provided advertising through their websites and member meetings. The city of Hollywood provided trash bags, dumpsters, and advertising for the programs. Student volunteers from Hollywood Hills High School Ecology Club, Key Club, and several Girl Scout Troops also were involved in each workshop. Although public participation
was not as high as expected, people who attended one workshop usually returned for a later program.
The three most insidious invasive species in the park were chosen as primary targets for removal in the first workshop: ro-sary pea (Abrus precatorius), air potato (Dioscorea bulbifera), and Caesar’s weed (Urena lobata). Other exotic species were removed as well. Participants received a brochure with photographs of the three targeted exotic species. Hundreds of bags of exotics were removed over the course of the workshops, and there were two newspaper articles written about the programs: one in the South Florida Sun-Sentinel and one in the Miami Herald.
Another workshop was held in September targeting air potato tubers. SOFNA was sprayed for exotics in 2006 as the infestation was too heavy for hand-removal (or access, as noted above). After the upper growth had been destroyed, the same volunteer corps focused on removing the roots and tubers of the plant from the newly-accessible natural area.
Primary non-native plants identified and removed at John Williams Park
*Rosary pea (Abrus precatorius)*Air potato (Dioscorea bulbifera)*Caesar’s weed (Urena lobata)Asiatic dayflower (Commelina communis)Asparagus fern (Asparagus densiflorus)Balsam pear (Momordica charantia)Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius)Elephant ear (Xanthosoma sagittifolium)Firecracker plant (Russelia equisetiformis)Japanese glorybower (Clerodendrum speciosissimum)Madagascar periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus)Morning glories (Ipomoea spp.)Mother-in-law’s tongue (Sansevieria hyacinthoides)Shoebutton ardisia (Ardisia elliptica)Oyster plant (Tradescantia spathacea)Wild taro (Colocasia esculenta)* indicates the main target plants for exotics removal workshops
Identification of the native/non-native plants included learn-ing to differentiate between similar leaf structures of the plants. Participants also learned to identify several native vines, such as Smilax species (S. auriculata and S. bona-nox) and Passiflora species (P. incarnate and P. suberosa), differentiated in particular from the non-native balsam pear vine (Momordica charantia).
Story and photos by Sandy Koi
Removal of Non-Native Plants from John Williams Park in Hollywood, Florida
A FLEPPC KATHY CRADDOCK BURKS EDUCATION & OUTREACH GRANT SPONSORED PROJECT
Hollywood Hills High School volunteers: Kaydeen, Sophia, mom Lisa and Jessica
4 WintEr 2007
Effective means of exotic plant removal also were covered, focusing on avoidance of inadvertent seed dispersal when removing the plant. For example, removing the burr-covered seeds of Caesar’s weed required carefully cutting away the branches in smaller sections and disposing of them in wide-mouthed receptacles to keep the plant sections intact (as opposed to cutting the plant at the base and forcing them into a bag, thereby dispersing seeds). Root systems were destroyed after the upper foliage was removed. Removal of rosary pea seed-clusters and air potato tubers was accomplished in a similar manner to prevent further dispersal.
We made significant progress in the removal of the exotic plants in the public area, and monthly maintenance will keep the cleared areas free of invasive species. In addition, the park is already showing recovery by an increase in the growth of native plants, since they no longer have to compete within a non-native infestation. A complete assessment of native plants is still underway, but it includes many butterfly host and nectar plants. In fact, JWP/SOFNA currently provides habitat for many species of birds, butterflies, and moths. As one of the few remaining natural oak hammocks left in Broward County, this project has been of great importance for increasing the number of native plant corridors for wildlife.
Several aspects have made this program extremely successful. The students from Hollywood Hills High School not only participated in each workshop, but they have promised a monthly maintenance program. The city of Hollywood has contracted for monthly maintenance of SOFNA, as well. The volunteers from FNPS, NABA, and MG are not only highly knowledgeable, they are enthusiastic teachers who love what they are doing, and it shows in their continued support.
For more information, contact Sandy Koi at [email protected]
Native Plants identified in workshops at John Williams Park and Sheridan Oaks Forest Natural Area (partial list of species in the park):
American beautyberry (Callicarpa americana)Bloodberry (Cordia globosa)Cabbage palm (Sabal palmetto)Cactus (Opuntia humifusa)Climbing hempvine (Mikania scandens)Coontie (Zamia floridana=pumila)Common wireweed (Sida acuta)Dahoon (Ilex cassine)Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis)Firebush (Hamelia patens)Gopher apple (Licania michauxii)Gumbo-limbo (Bursera simaruba)Jamaican capertree (Capparis cynophallophora)Live oak (Quercus virginiana)Marlberry (Ardisia escallonioides)Corkystem passionflower (Passiflora suberosa)Pond apple (Annona glabra)Poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans)Pokeweed (Phytolacca americana)Red maple (Acer rubrum)Red-tipped cocoplum (Chrysobalanus icaco)Rougeplant (Rivina humilis)Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens)Smilax (Smilax auriculata and S. bona-nox)Spanish needles (Bidens alba)Squarestem (Melanthera nivea)Summer grape (Vitus aestivalis)Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia)Wild lime (Zanthoxylum fagara)Wild poinsettia (Poinsettia cyathohora)Wild coffee (Psychotria nervosa)Coastal plain willow (Salix caroliniana)
Aerial photograph of John Williams Park, twenty acres. (Google Earth)
[left] Julia Heliconian (Dryas iulia), one of many butterfly denizens of John Williams Park, which provides ample nectar and caterpillar host plants. Julia caterpillars use Passiflora species as a host plant.
Nicole Bugay (left) and Haley Kennedy, both from Girl Scout Troop 501, with their day’s reward.
Wildland WEEdS 5
What makes air potato (Dioscorea bulbifera) bulbils sprout, and when can we expect them to sprout in Florida? These questions may not be on the top of everybody’s mind, but I’m sure that some have wondered. A few
studies which have been conducted outside of Florida may pro-vide some clues. Okagami and Tanno (1991) found that dormancy in Japanese air potato is controlled by an endogenous sprouting in-hibitor that gradually degrades over time, but they also found that a chilling period was required before bulbils would sprout. Martin (1974) worked with air potato in West Africa, and suggested that moisture and photoperiod were important.
No work has been conducted on bulbil sprouting in Florida, so a small study was initiated in the fall of 2006. We hypothesized that humidity, day length, temperature, and size of bulbils may
influence sprouting and, in addition, we thought that bulbils col-lected at different locations might respond differently to environ-mental cues. Bulbils (80) were collected in November from vines at two locations, Gainesville (Alachua County; USDA Plant Hardi-ness Zone 8B) and Fort Pierce (St. Lucie County; Zone 9B). The mean weights of bulbils collected from the two locations were not different, with an average of 16 grams, but there was a large range of 0.5 to 107 grams. The bulbils from each site were randomly assigned to eight different treatments with 10 bulbils from each
site in each treatment. The treatments included two temperatures, two humidity levels, and two diurnal light/dark regimes (Table 1). Bulbils were placed in incubators at the indicated conditions on November 21, 2006 and thereafter inspected weekly for evidence of sprouting.
Temperature and bulbil weight were the only factors that influenced the time of sprouting—humidity, day length, and ori-gin of bulbils played no role. Thus, the data from locations, hu-midities, and day lengths were pooled by temperature for further analysis. In the 60oF treatments, the first bulbils sprouted after 23 weeks and 50% of the bulbils had sprouted at 29 weeks. At 80oF, sprouting occurred much earlier with the first bulbil sprouting at 6 weeks, and 50% of bulbils sprouting by week 9 (Figure 1). When the study was terminated after 39 weeks, 100% of the bulbils at
80oF, and 85% of those at 60oF had sprouted. Smaller bulbils took lon-ger to sprout than larger bulbils, both at 60oF and 80oF, but there was little variation in sprouting date for bulbils that weighed more than 20 grams (Figure 2).
We used the relationship be-tween temperature and time to sprouting to estimate a theoretical lower temperature threshold un-
der which no sprouting would occur and to estimate the number of degree-days required for sprouting. This information was then used to produce a map (Figure 3) for predicting when 50% of the bulbils at any given location can be expected to have sprouted based on average temperatures over the past 10 years. In years that are warmer than average, sprouting would occur earlier and in cooler years, sprouting would occur later. Additionally, we started counting degree days on October 1, when bulbils are maturing on vines in Fort Pierce. The prediction for Fort Pierce appears to be
Treatment Temperature (oF) Relative humidity (%) Photoperiod (L:D)1 60 48 14:102 60 48 0:243 60 70 14:104 60 70 0:245 80 48 14:106 80 48 0:247 80 70 14:108 80 70 0:24
Table 1. Treatment conditions for air potato dormancy study.
What Makes Air Potato Bulbils Sprout?By William Overholt, Larry Markle and Rodrigo DiazUniversity of Florida-IFAS Indian River Research & Education Center
Figure 1. Sprouting dates of Dioscorea bulbifera bulbils collected in November, 2006 and held at 60º and 80ºF.
Figure 2. Relationship between bulbil weight and time of sprouting.
6 WintEr 2007
reasonable as we have field data from the spring of 2007 which indicates that 50% of bulbils have sprouted by April 19. However, the dates predicted for other areas of the state require field verifica-tion. It is likely that bulbils farther north in Florida mature later than those in Fort Pierce, which may influence the predicted time of sprouting.
The results of the study appear to support those of Okagami and Tanno (1991) who found that dormancy was controlled by a sprouting inhibitor which degrades over time. When the level of the inhibitor falls below a certain threshold, bulbils sprout. It would make sense that the degradation of the chemical inhibi-tor would occur more quickly as temperature increases. However, the same authors indicated that a chilling period was required for bulbils to sprout. Since we did not subject our bulbils to a chilling period, this clearly suggests that there are physiological differences between Japanese and Florida air potato.
The fact that bulbils from Gainesville and Fort Pierce respond-ed in a similar manner to temperature may be a reflection of low genetic diversity of air potato in Florida. In the native range of air potato, sexual reproduction occurs, but this has not been observed in Florida, where we believe that all reproduction is clonal. If this is true, the genetic diversity currently present in the state will be the same, or somewhat less, than the diversity that was originally introduced. Coursey (1967) speculated that air potato was first introduced into North America from Africa during the early years of the slave trade. The first record of the vine in North America was from Mobile, Alabama in 1777 (Bartram 1791).
The predicted sprouting dates of air potato in Florida may be of use to land managers in their efforts to control the plant. If air potato could be controlled in early or mid-summer before bulbils were present on vines, it would decrease the number of propagules available to start the next season’s crop. Finding air potato plants in
the spring when they first start to grow is difficult, and our work does nothing to improve that situation, but at least there is now some indication of when land managers can start to look for this FLEPPC Category 1 invasive plant species.
For further information, contact the author at [email protected]
ReferencesBartram, W. 1791. Travels through North and South Carolina, Georgia and East and West
Florida. James & Johnson, Philadelphia.
Coursey, D. G. 1967. Yams: An Account of the Nature, Origins, Cultivation and Utilisation of the Useful Members of the Dioscoreaceae. London.
Martin, F.W. 1974. Tropical Yams and Their Potential. Part 2. Dioscorea bulbifera, Agricultural Handbook 466 Edition. USDA.
Okagami, N. and N. Tanno. 1991. Dormancy in Dioscorea: Comparison of dormant charac-teristics in bulbils of northern species (D. opposita) and southern species (D. bulbifera var. vera). Journal of Plant Physiology 138:559-565.
Figure 3. Estimated months of 50% sprouting of Dioscorea bulbifera in Florida based on average temperatures over the past 10 years.
You are invited to submit titles and abstracts for papers to be presented at the SE-EPPC 10th Annual Symposium. Volunteer papers may be presented orally or as a poster. The symposium will emphasize, but is not restricted to, presentations that address the theme: Managing Invasive Plants in Disturbed Landscapes. Research papers concerning how invasive plants respond to natural and man-made disturbances or how local communities and stakeholders anticipate and respond to the threats posed by invasive non-native plants following disturbances are encouraged.
DeadlineAbstracts must be submitted electronically by February 1, 2008 to be considered. Send title, author(s), affiliation(s), and the abstract to John Madsen at [email protected]. Finished abstracts must be submitted by February 20 for publication in the proceedings, which will be distributed at the meeting. Extended abstracts of up to 500 words will be accepted.
All poster and oral paper presenters will be expected to register for the conference.
Registration forms will be available on the SE-EPPC Website: www.se-eppc.org
“Managing Invasive Plants in Disturbed Landscapes”May 20-22, 2008 • Imperial Palace Casinos, 850 Bayview Avenue, Biloxi, MS
First Call for Papers — Southeast Exotic Pest Plant Council 10th Annual Symposium
MarchAprilMayJuneJuly
Wildland WEEdS 7
Background On September 9, 2006, 18 people participated in the restora-
tion of Givney Key, a 0.8 acre island of Matlacha Pass NWR (see Wildland Weeds, Winter 2006). The primary goal of the project was to restore the ecological integrity of the barrier island follow-ing the destructive impacts from Hurricane Charley. This was to be accomplished in two ways: 1) treating established invasive ex-otic plants, and 2) planting native ground, shrub, and tree spe-cies common to, or representative of, southwest Florida coastal island habitats to supplement the island vegetation that survived the hurricane. A total of 153 native plants were planted, and num-bered aluminum tags were placed on 84 plants (55%) for moni-toring purposes. On August 24, 2007, Givney Key was revisited to collect information on native plant survival (NPS) and to evaluate exotics treatments.
Discussion and ResultsRefuge staff spent 2.5 hours scouring Givney Key for tagged
plants. Unfortunately, only 29 tags (35%) of the original 84 were recovered. Three staff members had participated in the original planting and were familiar with the areas, but still had extreme difficulty locating tagged plants. Many factors contributed to the poor tag recovery. The island appeared to have been inundated or washed over by either a severe high tide, or a combination of high tide and wave action. The high water shifted woody debris that had been stacked to create open spaces for native plantings. Much of the debris was re-scattered across the island, including within the planted areas. This combination of flooding, wave ac-tion, and shifting debris likely destroyed many of the original plantings, negatively affecting tag recovery. Many of the tags se-cured to ground plants were buried beneath loose shell, confirm-ing sediment deposition from an extreme high water event. It also was noted that wave action appeared to have completely removed one of the shell ridges where a multitude of ground plants had been planted. Finally, previously cleared planted areas were over-run with native weedy vegetation such as moon vine (Ipomoea alba), common nightshade (Solanum americanum) and rouge plant (Rivina humilis), making it difficult to identifying plantings and recover tags.
Of the 29 tags recovered, 21 plants were alive and eight were dead. Of the 21 plants that survived, 18 were of eight separate tree species, and three were ground species. Some of the tagged plant species that did well included ambrosia or coastal ragweed (Ambrosia hispida), bay bean (Canavalia maritima), green button-wood (Conocarpus erectus), gumbo limbo (Bursera simaruba), sea
grape (Coccoloba uvifera), strangler fig (Ficus aurea) and wild olive (Forestiera segregata). Native plant survival within this small sub-sample was 73%. Obviously, planted tree species were somewhat easier to locate as most were a minimum of one meter tall when planted, and could still be identified even amongst the weeds. Of the eight plants that did not survive, seven were tree species and one was a ground cover. Finding any living plantings was a surprise given the flooding event that occurred, coupled with the extensive drought that Sanibel and the rest of South Florida expe-rienced throughout winter 2006 and spring 2007 respectively. In the future, it is highly recommended that personnel or agencies conducting similar projects consider utilizing flourescent colored flagging as another means to aid in the recovery of tagged plants.
Originally, overall native plant survival (NPS) was to be evalu-ated using the following equation or formula: (To determine the estimated total number of native plants of all types that survived)
NPS = # of tagged plants alive
(%) x Total # Planted (N = 153)
total # of tagged plants
Since all 84 tagged plants were not recovered, and the major-ity of those recovered (86%) and determined to be alive (46%) were of the tree variety, NPS was evaluated solely for tree species using the formula above. Eighteen (18) tagged trees were deter-mined to be alive out of 39 total trees tagged. The total number of trees planted was 52 (N = 52). This yielded an estimated NPS of 24 trees.
NPS = 18
(%) x 52 Plants Planted = 23.9999 or 24 trees
39
Overall NPS survival for all species could not be accurately calculated because of the tag recovery bias toward planted trees.
In addition to the difficulties experienced in locating tagged plants, personnel encountered an extensive amount and variety of invasive exotic plants. This was an extreme disappointment, as initial efforts and subsequent visits to check the island and treat invasive exotics missed during initial treatments had indicated that very few exotics were present. Many of the exotic plants were approaching six to eight feet in height and could have been missed during initial exotic control efforts. However, many appeared to be newly established, and could have experienced rapid growth due to the excessive nutrients (guano) in the shell-sand substrate deposited from roosting and nesting birds. Many exotics were lo-
Givney Key Native Plant Survival:One Year Monitoring UpdateBy William G. Thomas1, Jr, Cheryl Parrott2 and Patrick Martin1 1U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, J.N. “Ding” Darling NWR, Sanibel, Florida, 2University of Florida/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sanibel, Florida
8 WintEr 2007
cated within the previously cleared planted areas indicating new recruitment. In one case, it was apparent that an earleaf acacia had previously been severed but the stump was not treated with herbicide.
Five species of invasive exotic plants were encountered during data collection and were hand pulled: Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius, 19), earleaf acacia (Acacia auriculiformis, 1), lead tree (Leucaena leucocephala, 3), seaside mahoe (Thespesia populnea, 1), and umbrella tree (Schefflera actinophylla, 3). Lead tree was not encountered nor treated during initial treatment efforts. Another visit will be needed to treat those exotic shrubs and trees considered too large to be hand-pulled.
ConclusionAlthough tag recovery rate was disappointing, the fact
that NPS was nearly 50% for tree species indicates that exotics removal followed by native plantings can be a viable option for island restoration. Larger island restorations can be handled by the majority of Florida’s invasive exotic plant management contractors, and can be incorporated into the project scope of work. Numerous local, county, state, and federal agencies are conducting island restoration projects of a similar nature, but much larger in size and complexity. Results also indicate that smaller restoration projects can incorporate a successful volunteer or conservation organization component.
The flooding or high tide event, coupled with an ex-tended drought, most likely contributed to high mortality of ground species as these plantings were concentrated on exposed shell ridges as opposed to the higher upland por-tions of the island where shrub and tree species had been planted. Monitoring results also indicate the need for con-tinuous exotic plant maintenance on restored islands until planted native shrub and tree species reach maturity. Hope-fully, as planted native shrubs and trees grow, they will cre-ate enough shade to aid in surpressing the germination and establishment of exotic plant species, thus reducing the costs associated with exotic plant management. Continous site maintenance extends to the occasional control of native but weedy species such as moon vine, which can inhibit the es-tablishment and growth of more desirable natives, including supplemental plantings.
AcknowledgementsSpecial thanks to Ariel Zimmerman, “Ding” Biological In-
tern, who assisted with data collection and publication review, and to Toby Clark, “Partners” Land Management Technician, for assisting with data collection and boat transportation to the island.
For more information, contact the author at [email protected]
Terry Whitecar, Utility SpecialistPH 386-473-3882
Dan McMillan, Aquatic / VM SpecialistPH 706-318-3238
Herbicides / Adjuvants / ServiceFOR
Aquatics, Roadside & Utility Rights of Way
Paul Mason, Aquatic / VM SpecialistPH 407-718-9154
Joe Collins, Government Acct. CoordinatorPH 352-222-0655
Office 863-425-8289, Fax 321-226-0213
Wildland WEEdS 9
IntroductionInvasive species monitoring can be
simply defined as regular or repeated ob-servations of areas where invasive species treatments have occurred, and includes the collection of detailed records of obser-vations. Monitoring is essential to achieve both short- and long-term goals, and to support evaluations of treatment effective-ness, and ultimately, restoration of native plant communities. Conversely, effective monitoring provides relevant data on non-effective treatments and non-target damage to desirable natives, enabling treatment protocols to be modified. Overall, monitor-ing programs permit the repeatable collec-tion of site specific data regarding treatment methods and species targeted to improve future management decisions.
The purpose of this project was to test two commonly used monitoring tech-niques: photo points, and 4 x 5 meter quad-rats, and a new monitoring method, Refuge Lands-Geographical Information System (RL-GIS), developed by FWS Region 6. All three monitoring methods have been pro-posed for use by FWS Regional ISSTs in the draft guidance document. They were evalu-ated after completion of a wedelia (Sphag-neticola trilobata) Early Detection and Rapid Response (EDRR) project completed by the Region 4 Invasive Species Strike Team (R4 ISST) on J.N. “Ding” Darling NWR (the Refuge) on February 28, 2007.
Background The two inventory methods used by
the R4 ISST to document the presence or absence, and locations of infestations of invasive and/or exotic plants are aerial Sys-temmatic Reconnaisance Flights (SRFs), and detailed ground mapping surveys. De-tailed ground surveys provide comprehen-sive coverage and, more importantly, the types of invasive and/or exotic plants pres-ent, and accurate data on locations of in-
festatons. In January 2006, the Refuge contracted with a private company, NorthWind, Inc., Idaho Falls, Idaho, for a comprehensive ground inven-tory of all invasive and/or exotic plants on the Refuge. Locations of all exotic plants were col-lected using Trimble GeoXT® Global Positioning System (GPS) units for increased accu-racy. Data was later downloaded using ArcGIS® software, and used to produce detailed GIS maps to prioritize and coordi-nate exotic plant management operations.
During ground mapping efforts, several significant infestations of wedelia were detected along Sanibel-Captiva Road and at the 184 acre State Botanical Site within the Refuge. Figure 1 depicts wedelia infestations as individual points, whereas Figure 2 represents shape files of total acreage infested with wedelia, and indicates the location of the quadrat for study purposes.
To evaluate the proposed monitoring techniques, the R4 ISST targeted wedelia
infestations on the Refuge west of the shop complex and adjacent to the public sidewalk that parallels Sanibel-Captiva Road as an EDRR project. A wedelia infestation at the old Island Water Association water treatment facility was treated the previous fiscal year under contract with Southeastern ChemTreat, Inc, Chiefland, Florida. Crews applied a 3% glyphosate mixture Kinetic HV® surfactant using back pack sprayers. In an effort to duplicate the excellent results achieved, the R4 ISST
Evaluating Monitoring Techniques Proposed for Use by FWS Regional Invasive Species Strike Teams: Wedelia EDRR, J.N. “Ding” Darling NWR, Sanibel, FloridaBy William G. Thomas1, Jr, Jason A. Hanley2 and Chuck R. Loesch3
1U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sanibel, Florida, 2U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Honolulu, Hawaii, 3U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bismark, North Dakota
Figure 1. General inventory ground map depicting locations of wedelia infestations – J.N. “Ding” Darling NWR.
Figure 2. Detailed GIS map depicting wedelia infestations as shape files – J.N. “Ding” Darling NWR.
During Fiscal Year 2007, U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS)
Regional Invasive Species Strike
Team (ISST) Leaders assisted
the FWS National Invasive
Species Coordinator with the
development of a “standard
operating procedure”-type guid-
ance document for Regional
ISST operations. One compo-
nent within the draft guidance
document provides language for
the implementation of standard-
ized monitoring methodologies
to be used by all FWS ISSTs.
10 WintEr 2007
utilized the same herbicide and surfactant. However, due to the high volume nature of the 50-gallon HyPro® spray unit employed, final application rate fell below 1%. The herbicide rate could not be increased without exceeding the recommended label rate for glyphosate. The spray wand was set to a wide fan to ensure thorough coverage of all wedelia foliage. Weather conditions were superb: light wind, cool and sunny. A long period without rain on Sanibel likely contributed to an increased uptake of herbicide. Excellent results were achieved.
Monitoring Techniques
1) Photo points
A single photo point location was es-tablished for the purpose of this study, and was situated in a location that would en-able the majority of the plot to be visually depicted in the photograph. In the interest of time, no official photo point method was utilized; however, for more technical stud-ies, specific methodology is available. The R4 ISST met its photo point objective for determining treatment effectiveness using this simple procedure. A latitude-longitude point was taken with a Trimble GeoXT® GPS unit where the camera tripod was set up to duplicate the photo point pre- and post-treatment (6 months). In addition, a measurement was taken to record the dis-tance from the ground to the top of and center of the camera lens to enable replica-tion and collection of the same visual plot information. A Canon Power Shot® S2 15 digital camera was used.
2) 4 x 5 meter quadrats (plots)
4 x 5 meter quadrats were selected for this study because of the simplicity, ease of installation and previous use in monitoring FWS exotic plant treatments. The 6-meter circular plots currently being evaluated by the National Park Service’s Florida/Carib-bean Exotic Plant Management Team (T. Pernas, pers. comm.) would suffice equal-ly well for the purpose of this study. The quadrat was established in an area severely infested with wedelia since the primary objective of the treatment was to control the wedelia infestation, document treat-ment effectiveness, and measure impacts to wedelia and native vegetation within
the plot. There was no attempt to select the quadrat location randomly. Quadrat corners were marked using rebar, pound-ed firmly into the ground. The area of the quadrat was established using a meter tape for accuracy. Flourescent pink flagging was then stretched tightly around all four cor-ners of the reebar to define the quadrat area for collection of pertinent data.
Plot data were collected by calculat-ing overall percent cover of wedelia and various native species present pre- and post-treatment (6 months). In addition to wedelia, four (4) native species were pres-ent in the study plot: cabbage palm (Sabal palmetto), giant leather fern (Acrostichum danaeifolium), white indigo berry (Randia aculeata) and wild olive or Florida privet (Forestiera segregata).
3) Refuge Lands-Geographic Information System (RL-GIS)
A new GIS data model and support-ing data management and collection tools have been developed by the FWS refuge
system for tracking various refuge man-agement techniques in a spatial manner. They include adaptations for tracking In-tegrated Pest Management techniques used to manage invasive species. For monitor-ing purposes, treatment effectiveness can be tracked using the point, line or poly-gon (shape) features within RL-GIS. Initial polygons, lines or points (infestations or single outlier populations) can be secured prior to treatment operations, or during initial invasives mapping efforts. They can be duplicated later at predetermined time intervals to determine treatment effective-ness on targeted invasive weed infestations, and impacts to, or recruitment of, either invasive or native species.
For this study, information was col-lected prior to wedelia treatment opera-tions using a Trimble GeoXT® GPS unit. Collected information stored in the RL-GIS data model was subsequently assembled using ArcGIS® software to produce maps pre-and post-treatment (6 months). This monitoring method of repeated site visits
Wildland WEEdS 11
and temporal comparisons of infestions using GIS techniques is fairly simple, and allows treatment success to be easily evalu-ated over time. The system requires that staff have experience using Trimble GPS units and a working knowledge of RL-GIS. RL-GIS provides a quantitative measure of treatment effectiveness similar to simple plot methodologies in an easy to under-stand mapping format depicting increases or decreases in targeted weed infestations. RL-GIS currently is not a FWS-wide stan-dard, however, training and support of RL-GIS is being delivered in all regions.
Evaluation and ResultsPre- and post-treatment (6 months)
photo points, depicted in Figure 5, clearly show that treatments were effective in the short-term. Before treatment, wedelia is shown infesting the entire quadrat. The post-treatment photo point shows brown wedelia, indicating short-term treatment success.
Overall percent cover data pre- and post-treatment was entered into MS Excel and displayed graphically in simple pie
charts (Figures 3 and 4). Pre-treatment data indicated that wedelia coverage was ≥95%, and that total coverage for all species in the plot was greater than 100%. This can be ex-plained by wedelia’s growth habit of climbing over native species; the wedelia within the plot was not restricted to the ground. Four native spe-cies were present: cabbage palm (5%), giant leather fern (10%), white indigo berry (<5%), and wild olive (<5%).
Percent coverage of wedelia post-treatment was as follows: >90% wedelia controlled (brown), and <5% wedelia live. Wedelia within the plot was extremely dense, and it was most likely that some foliage or runners were not contacted by the herbicide mixture, and therefore, were unaffected. In addition, the dense upper layer of wedelia could have shielded lower plants from the spray mixture.
Percent coverage of native species post-treatment was as follows: cabbage palm, 5%, and white indigo berry, <5%, the same as pre-treatment levels. Giant leather fern and wild olive were absent post-treatment, indicating that these species succumbed to overspray, or that they are highly sensitive to the foliar glyphosate formula. Overall, quadrat data indicates that the treatment was highly effective with a minimal level of non-target damage.
The RL-GIS map, Figure 5, both graphically and quantitatively indicates a significant reduction in the wedelia in-festations. The map illustrates the power of this GIS software tool to document the effectiveness of exotic plant treatment programs. Locations of the four corners of the quadrat were secured using a Trimble GeoXT® GPS unit, permitting the plot to be accurately depicted within the wede-lia infestation and project treatment area. Wedelia density is indicated in Figure 5 as >60% pre-treatment, and as individual points ranging from 1-10% coverage post-treatment; confirming that the treatment
was effective. Numbers vary somewhat from the plot information, but this is at-tributed to the standard plant density cov-erages currently available in the RL-GIS program. The database could potentially be modified to use plant density cover-ages currently being used by most South Florida agencies conducting exotic plant treatments.
Recommendations and Conclusion
For the purposes of this study and in the interest of time, comparison of the three ISST treatment monitoring tech-niques was only carried through the six month period. Based upon this evalua-tion, it is recommended that ISSTs utilize a combination of photo points and quad-rats (primary), or photo points and Refuge Lands-Geographical Information System (RL-GIS; secondary). Photo points alone only provide visual, subjective informa-tion on treatment effectiveness, and do not show the level of detail to accurately determine treatment effectiveness or im-pacts to native species. Photo point results could be supplemented by the quantitative data collected using quadrats. Quadrat in-formation can be easily collected and ana-lyzed and treatment effectiveness depicted in simple graphics as presented in this study to determine treatment effectiveness quantitatively, and to permit adjustments to management methodologies should they be needed. Although RL-GIS has the same capability to graphically depict treatment effectiveness using standard-ized plant density coverage classifications, it does require expertise and skill in us-ing both Trimble GPS units and advanced knowledge of GIS software, ArcGIS® and specific training in RL-GIS. RL-GIS train-ing is available only a few times per year, limiting exposure to this powerful data storage and mapping tool. The draft ISST guidance document recommends all ISST staff be trained in using RL-GIS.
If monitoring is determined to be a priority, methodologies and protocols employed should be kept at the simplest level for team effectiveness and efficiency, be consistent amongst ISSTs, and those used should be considered standard for the monitoring type proposed. It is recom-
Figure 4. Wedelia post-treatment plot data.
Figure 3. Wedelia pre-treatment plot data.
12 WintEr 2007
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Ecologists and landmanagers…Specializing in complex control and research projects requiring a high degree of ecological proficiency and experience.
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PandionSystems, Inc.
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Gainesville, Florida352-372-4747
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AquAtic VegetAtion control, inc. enVironmentAl SerViceS
“Sound,
value-oriented
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stewardship”
mended that monitoring be carried out at regular intervals; pre-treatment, 6 months, 1 year (minimum), 1.5 years, and 2 years (maximum). Rarely should monitoring be carried past 2 years. Monitoring should
only be implement-ed if it will provide relevant or new in-formation with re-gard to the targeted invasive pest plant, specific herbicide effectiveness, or to improve or modify treatment actions or management deci-sions.
M o n i t o r i n g should not detract from the original purpose for which ISSTs were estab-lished through Con-gressional appropri-ation language: “to
increase the rapid response capability for invasive species management, using a high-ly trained, equipped, and mobile response force that refuge managers can summon to support control efforts on newly discovered
and satellite (“spot fire”) infestations.” This mandate will be jeopardized if monitoring becomes the sole focus of ISSTs following completion of initial treatments.
Other innovative ideas should be eval-uated to enable refuges to meet monitoring requirements for Integrated Pest Manage-ment programs without placing additional burden on ISST and refuge staff already re-duced by current budget constraints.
AcknowledgementsSpecial recognition and appreciation
are directed to Chuck Loesch for his ac-tive role in the development of RL-GIS and for his technical input, and to Jason Hanley, R1 ISST Leader, for his field as-sistance and superlative RL-GIS mapping skills to provide the great maps that made this publication possible in the midst of chaos transferring to Hawaii. I’ll miss you my friend – Aloha and Good Luck!!!!!
For more information, contact the author at
Figure 5. Split RL-GIS map, with photo point inserts, depicting pre- and post treatment results.
Wildland WEEdS 13
PurPOseThe 10th Annual SE-EPPC symposium will offer a timely forum for considering how best to manage
invasive plants in disturbed landscapes. Ecological disturbances, such as Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and the 2007 wildfires in southern Georgia and northern Florida, have raised awareness of
these events in the southeastern United States. Two important issues arise from these disturbances:
understanding the responses of invasive plants to natural disturbances and the associated recovery and salvage efforts;
coordinating ecological restoration of disturbance regimes with the management of invasive plants.
PrOgramConference plenary and oral presentation sessions will occur on May 20 and May 21.
Field trips are planned for May 22.
regisTraTiOnRegistration will be available on the SE-EPPC Website: www.se-eppc.org
COnferenCe HOTelAll sessions will be held at the Imperial Palace Casino, Resort, and Spa in Biloxi, MS, which will also serve as the official conference hotel. Single occupancy room rates will be $94 per night for Monday, May 19, 2008 to Friday,
May 23, 2008 (Attendees should enter the following code S08620).
addiTiOnal infOrmaTiOnFor additional conference information, visit the SE-EPPC Website: www.se-eppc.org,
or contact John Madsen, [email protected] or Lisa Yager, [email protected]
Southeast Exotic Pest Plant Council 10th Annual Symposium hosted by the Mississippi Exotic Pest Plant Council
“Managing Invasive Plants in Disturbed Landscapes”May 20-22, 2008
Imperial Palace Casinos — Biloxi, Mississippi
The Southeast Exotic Pest Plant Council is a regional 501(c)3 organization dedicated to controlling invasive plants and restoring natural ecosystems. SE-EPPC welcomes participation by all land management agencies, organizations, industries, and individuals working together to forge a solution.
14 WintEr 2007
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Wildland WEEdS 15
The Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council (FLEPPC) has available funding for a small number of research grants/scholarships for students conducting studies related to invasive exotic plant management in Florida.
The deadline for proposal submission is February 27, 2008. Written proposals should be no more than three pages in length and should request funding for no more than $2,500. The proposal should include a summary of the research project and its relationship with Florida exotic pest plant management problems. Particular plant species involved in the study should be one or more of the Category I or Category II exotic pest plant species listed by FLEPPC (see: www.fleppc.org). In addition, the appli-cant should provide complete contact information and a detailed budget, with an explanation of how the funding will be used. Examples include (but are not limited to) travel funds for field work, funds for research equipment or supplies (or temporary use of specialized equipment), a stipend for applicant’s project work time not otherwise supported, travel funds for presentation of the research, etc. In de-veloping the budget, funds requested are to be used for the direct costs of conducting research on the proposed project and are not to be used for indirect costs incurred by the student’s university.
FLEPPC Julia Morton Invasive Plant Research Grant Program REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS • Deadline: February 27, 2008
Basic eligibility requirements:
To be eligible for funding, applicants must be an under-graduate or graduate student enrolled at an accredited institution of higher learn-ing anywhere within the United States. However, the research must be on a listed Florida invasive plant (http://www.fleppc.org/list/list.htm). An accompanying letter of recommendation from a faculty advisor is strongly encouraged.
Proposals are due by 5:00 p.m. 2/27/08. Send proposals by e-mail to: Dr. Betsy Von Holle, [email protected]
Proposals will be evaluated and ranked on the critical management need for scientific results in the area of study and on the clarity of the submitted request.
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16 WintEr 2007
Evaluation CriteriaAward preference will be given to proposals that meet the following criteria:• Involve a plant or plants listed on the FLEPPC 2007 List of Invasive Plant
Species (found on www.fleppc.org);• Educational message will reach a large segment of the community;• Include partnerships (please specify type and degree of involvement for
partner entities);• Demonstrate matching funds or in-kind contributions;• Increase local community awareness of non-native plants through local
charettes, volunteer events, web site development, or distribution of educational materials;
• Evaluate the project success through process or outcome evaluation; • Heighten community awareness about non-native invasive plant identifi-
cation, control, and prevention;• First time applicants and new projects, although repeat applicants will be
considered.
Program Description and Eligibility
The Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council is soliciting grant proposals for non-native invasive plant education and outreach projects in the State of Florida. The intent of these grants is to provide funding to organizations or individuals who wish to educate the public about non-native invasive plants and their ef-fects on the environment and economy of Florida. Proposals will be accepted from individuals, public or private nonprofit organizations, and academic in-stitutions.
Application instructions and further information may be found on the FLEPPC website (www.fleppc.org). Grants may not be used to fund food or bever-ages, capital expense items (sprayers, chain saws, machinery, herbicide), or large-scale herbicide application activities. Requests for funding should not exceed $1,000.00 and all funds awarded are to be used within one year of receipt. If full funding is not available, partial funding may be awarded.
Applicant/organization must present a summary of results at the FLEPPC annual meeting (poster or presentation) or provide a summary article for Wildland Weeds, the FLEPPC quarterly magazine.
THE DEaDlinE for ProPoSal SuBmiSSion iS marCH 1, 2008.
The FLEPPC Education Committee will review all grants. Award letters will be sent via electronic mail by May 1, 2008.
for furTHEr informaTion contact Jennifer Possley, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
Email: [email protected] • Ph: 305-667-1651, ext. 3433 Fax: 305-665-8032
FLEPPC Kathy Craddock Burks Education and Outreach GrantsRequest for Proposals - FY 2008 Proposal Due Date: March 1, 2008
The development of effective and coordinated
noxious weed management strategies at the
national, regional, and local level depends upon
accurate information concerning the extent,
distribution, composition, and dynamics of
populations of the problem species. Spatial data
on melaleuca distribution has been collected in
South Florida since the inception of the Melaleuca
Management Program in the early 1990s. These
biannual surveys provide unique trend information
as the management program progresses,
documenting agency-sponsored treatment
successes in the Water Conservation Areas and
Lake Okeechobee. The Areawide Management
and Evaluation of Melaleuca (TAME) Melaleuca
Inventory and Assessment Component allowed for
an expansion of this survey program into Centeral
and North Florida, the Bahamas and Hawaii.
the Final report of this component and all
survey results are now available at
http://tame.ifas.ufl.edu/
Wildland WEEdS 17
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www.sfapms.org • Ph: 954-382-9766 • Fax: 954-382-9770 Email: [email protected] • Membership: $25 • Students: $5
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18 WintEr 2007
Wildland WEEdS 19
Extra! Extra! Read all about it!
Join the SE-EPPC listserv at: http://www.se-eppc.org/listserv/
Join the FLEPPC listserv at: www.fleppc.org
-> click on List Server
Lake Como Co-op Supports the FLEPPC MissionThe 200-acre Lake Como Co-op in Lutz, Florida recently began combating invasive plants within their borders. The
residents first learned about invasive plants through Pasco County forester Arthur Clothier after enrolling in the Florida Division of Forestry’s Forest Stewardship Program. They have started with cogon grass and melaleuca trees, and Caesar’s weed and castor bean are looming on the horizon. Clothier has created a timber management plan, and is currently completing a Forest Stewardship Plan in conjunction with William Smith, Pasco County Wildlife Biologist.
Knowing that prevention is easier than eradication, their Board of Directors recently voted to not plant FLEPPC Category I and II invasives on common areas and strongly recommends that residents refrain from planting these species in their yards. They also voted to strongly encourage the planting of Florida native plant species. It is refreshing to hear examples of concerned citizens making a difference in the Florida landscape.
To view the FLEPPC 2007 List of Invasive Plant Species, go to www.fleppc.org Copies of the list are available for distribution.
Hi Karen,
I am happy to report that my main opposition has decided not to plant any more camphor trees here!
It’s a huge step in the right direction for us! We are using the FLEPPC 2007 List of Invasive Plant Species fliers to
help educate our Board of Directors and for a door-to-door education campaign. We have about 100 residents
here, and I would like to have the FLEPPC 2007 List of Invasive Plant Species available to them when they are
making planting decisions. I have been involved with our county forester and wildlife biologist in pursuing a
forest stewardship status here (we have 26+ acres in slash pine for timber), and they alerted us to the presence
of invasives. Our 4 small stands of cogon grass are showing few signs of survival after treatments with
glyphosate at 2 week intervals. Our process of removing melaleuca will be a long one. We have one work day
a month where we remove 3-4 trees. It will take at least a year to get it all gone! Then there is a lot of Caesar’s
weed , Brazilian pepper and air potato we would like to get rid of and castor bean plants. Priorities….
I have also been able to get a ruling that we will not plant any more wedelia! People can see how it is
spreading all over the place. I am not having trouble with these initiatives. But I am having trouble convincing
people not to plant more camphor trees instead of natives. They like them for the shade and beauty and quick
growth.
—Pam
An e-mail message to FLEPPC:
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20 WintEr 2007
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Dow AgroSciences ............................ p. 21
Earth Balance .................................... p. 16
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Pandion Systems .............................. p. 13
Syngenta Professional Products ........ p. 24
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THANk YOU to the following sponsors for supporting
this issue of WILDLAND WEEDS:
The 23rd Annual Symposium of the
Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council
will be held by the historic St. Johns River
in Jacksonville, Florida
April 21-24, 2008
Oral presentations, posters, and science-based field trips to local areas.CEUs available for natural areas, rights-of-way, and aquatics.
Crowne Plaza Hotel on the Jacksonville Riverfront
Flora non grata
1-800-496-7621 www.fleppc.org
Wildland WEEdS 21
InternodesMark Your Calendar• 12th Annual Exotic Species Workshop for
Southwest Florida, December 7, 2007, [email protected] 239.353.8442 x 222
• Cuban tree frogs have become such a worldwide problem that they have their own working group (appropriately named the Coqui Frog Working Group), and they are sponsoring the First International Conference on the Coqui Frog. Naniloa Volcanoes Resort in Hilo, HA. February 7-9, 2008. www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/coqui/conf08.asp
• Invasive Species in Natural Areas: A Conference on Impacts and Management. February 13-14, 2008, Missoula, Montana. Contact Mark Schwarzländer ([email protected]).
• Georgia EPPC Annual Meeting, February 22, 2008, UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center, Tifton, Georgia. http://www.gaeppc.org/
• 9th National Invasive Weeds Awareness Week (NIWAW-9), Washington, DC. Feb. 24-29, 2008. http://www.nawma.org/niwaw/niwaw_index.htm
• Midwest Aquatic Plant Management Society (MAPMS) Conference, March 1-3, 2008 in Sandusky, Ohio. Contact Jason Broekstra ([email protected]).
• Florida Vegetation Management Association Conference, April 16-18, 2008. www.fvma.info
• 23rd Annual Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council (FLEPPC) Symposium, Jacksonville, FL. April 21-24, 2008. www.fleppc.org
• UF/IFAS Aquatic Weed Control Short Course, May 5-8, 2008. Coral Springs Marriott Hotel, Golf Club and Convention Center in Coral Springs, Florida. conference.ifas.ufl.edu/aw
• 28th Annual Conference Florida Native Plant Society, May 15-18, 2008, Palmetto, FL. www.fnps.org
• 10th Annual Southeast Exotic Pest Plant Council Symposium, hosted by the Mississippi Exotic Pest Plant Council, “Managing Invasive Plants in Disturbed Landscapes,” Biloxi, MS. May 20-22, 2008.
• 4th Biennial Weeds Across Borders Conference, May 27–30, 2008, Banff, Alberta, Canada. Details at the Alberta Invasive Plants Council web site: http://www.invasiveplants.ab.ca/
Web SitesIn cooperation with the Missouri Botanical Garden, the USDA/NRCS has developed an automated online key for identifying plants, including wetland monocots and grasses (the latter being limited to the species in the state selected by the user). Users select multiple
characters simultaneously and the program identifies (hopefully) the species. An interesting concept that must have taken a lot of work – check it out at npdc.usda.gov/technical/plantid_wetland_mono.html
Bookmark-worthy is how I would describe this site: invasivespecies.blogspot.com. I don’t know if KB has mentioned this site in the past (it could be where I learned of it), but if so it does not matter because the site is so good it is worth mentioning twice.
The USDA Forest Service’s Invasive Species Program generates the scientific information needed by forest professionals to effectively manage invasive pests within our nation’s forests. This program uses experimental forests and research field stations to study the reproductive biology, dispersal rates, and distribution of invasive forest species. Current projects focus on a number of topics including the use of herbicides in controlling nonnative forest plants, understanding and managing exotic forest pathogens and diseases, and assessing the effects of invasive amphibians in natural wilderness areas. To learn more about this research visit: http://www.fs.fed.us/invasivespecies/research.shtml
A newly revised Compendium of Herbicide Adjuvants can be found at: http://www.siu.edu/~weeds/
The recent discovery of a mature Brazilian pep-per tree (Schinus terebinthifolius) at Fort Clinch State Park alarmed many of us (Wildland Weeds, Spring 2007). Although the plant was quickly dispatched, finding Brazilian pepper in Nassau County (FL), along the Georgia state line, was quite a surprise. Now another mature plant has shown up in northern Florida, this time in the panhandle. St. Vincent NWR Wildlife Biologist Thom Lewis reports that one tree was found at the base of the old bridge on St. George Island in Franklin County near a parking area, suggesting seed dispersal via automobile as a possibility. Like the tree in Nassau County, this specimen also was removed. However, judging by its size, the tree may already have produced seed in this location. MM.
Panhandlers beware!
Brazilian pepper tree found in the Florida panhandle.
22 WintEr 2007
HELP FILL THE GAPS!
The Southeast Exotic Pest Plant Councils (EPPCs)
need your help to fill in county distribution maps
for invasive plant species in the southeastern U.S.
Point your web browser to:
http://www.se-eppc.org/eddMapS/choosecounty.cfm
and view the invasive plant species reported in your county.
Then report any plants that are located in your county
but missing from the map.
This will help state EPPCs determine which plants
should be listed and targeted for
Early Detection and Rapid Response (EDRR) efforts.
Other NewsThe Carolinas Beach Vitex Task Force has had a busy fall, and has amassed an impressive amount of grant money to combat beach vitex (Vitex rotundifolia). The task force is a shining example of what a few highly-motivated people can accomplish in combating invasive weeds. For more information, visit their web site at www.beachvitex.org.
For anyone who needs to control their weeds without herbicides, Brooks Atwood of east Texas is willing to travel anywhere in the southeast with his goat flock (complete with trailers, travel trailer, dogs, and fencing) for pay. Brooks can be reached at (903) 876-2161 or cell (903) 360-4383. While we’re on the controlling-weeds-without-herbicides theme, an article in the Christian Science Monitor (www.csmonitor.com/2007/1102/p18s02-hfcs.html) advocates using prayer to control invasive species. This method may be added to the next Integrated Pest Management website.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) has approved a significant new use for SePro Corporation’s penoxsulam (Galleon® 2F) herbicide (EPA Reg. No. 62719-546-67690) for selective control of aquatic weeds in quiescent bodies of water. It was issued effective 9/12/07.
On September 10, the FDACS issued an experimental use permit (EPA Reg. No. 81179-EUP-1) for the use of tobacco mild green mosaic tobamovirus as a bioherbicide for control of tropical soda apple (Solanum viarum) in rangelands, pastures, sod production fields, Conservation Reserve Program acreage, and other natural areas. The product is manufactured by Bioprodex Inc. (FDACS PREC Agenda, 10/4/07).
Though it has not arrived in Florida, agriculture officials fear it is only a matter of time before the red palm mite (Raoiella indica Hirst) invades. The mite quickly spread ever closer to the U.S. mainland after it was identified in the Western Hemisphere three years ago on the Caribbean island of Martinique. The mite is now in St. Lucia, Dominica, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Martinique, St. Martin, the Dominican Republic, Trinidad, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the invasion represents the biggest mite population explosion ever observed in the Americas. FDACS surveys for potential palm infestations have been conducted in coastal areas of Miami-Dade, Hillsborough, Sarasota, Manatee, Pinellas, Broward, Monroe (Florida Keys), and Lee counties.
Compiled by Michael Meisenburg.
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Wildland WEEdS 23
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