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Being an Invasive Volunteer

Welcome to theArizona-Sonora Desert Museum’s

INVADERS OF THE SONORAN DESERT REGIONEARLY DETECTION AND REPORTING PROGRAM

Welcome to the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum (ASDM) Invaders of the Sonoran Desert Region volunteer citizen scientist team! You are part of an exciting new national program titled, “Invaders: Citizen Scientists Combat Invasive Species,” developed by ASDM in partnership with Sea Studios Foundation, National Geographic and Vulcan Productions. This innovative initiative was launched with the April, 2005 premiere of National Geographic’s Strange Days on Planet Earth TV series on PBS. The opening episode of this new series is all about Invaders.

Invasive, non-native species – organisms that evolved in one area of the world and have been introduced to and invaded other areas (invaders) – are becoming increasingly worrisome. One reason behind the worry is that we, humans, are major intentional and/or unwitting agents of transportation for these marauding plants and animals. How serious is the problem? What do we stand to lose? As renowned biologist E. O. Wilson states, “On a global basis…the two great destroyers of biodiversity are, first, habitat destruction and second, invasion by exotic species.” These invasive species aggressively overtake or displace native species, and their ecological and economic impacts can be enormous. Experts estimate the annual cost of invasive species to the US economy alone is in the billions.

Invaders: Citizen Scientists Combat Invasive Species is an innovative campaign whereby volunteer “citizen scientists” are trained using a specially developed Invasive Species Early Detection and Reporting Kit. The intent of this kit is to empower the public to become involved as citizen scientists in order to more effectively slow the spread of harmful invasive species and reduce their economic damages. With this kit, volunteers can help detect invaders’ arrival and dispersal in their own local areas. You will be working in the INVADERS of the Sonoran Desert Region program to help detect local invasives and enter the data into a national database hosted by USGS through a local ASDM web-based data entry form. Through partnerships, the data you collect will be shared with managers on the ground for use in invasive species control and management.

You will be learning to identify the invasive, non-native species that are the focus of this program as well as many other species, to use GPS units, and to enter your data through the internet. The following nine species are the initial focus of the Invaders of the Sonoran Desert Region program:

Buffelgrass (Pennisetum ciliare)Fountaingrass (Pennisetum setaceum)Natalgrass (Melinis replens)Sahara mustard (Brassica tournefortii)Tamarisk (saltcedar) (Tamarix chinensis)Athel tree (Tamarix aphylla)

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Onionweed (Asphodelus fistulosus)Red imported fire ants (Solenopsis invicta)Argentine cactus moth (Cactoblastis cactorum)

Your participation in this initiative will benefit the Sonoran Desert Region and will help us work towards the goal of mapping invasive species nationwide. Volunteers in other parts of the country are working in their local areas to accomplish the same task. Our data are pooled together to create national maps that are used by local, state, regional, and federal agencies and organizations to address the invasive species issue throughout the country.

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Being an Invaders Volunteer

We hope you will find volunteering in the Invaders Program an opportunity to learn as much as possible about the Sonoran Desert Region and the Museum’s efforts to work toward its conservation through citizen science and public education on invasive, non-native species. We have goals for the outcomes of our program efforts as well as goals for your own development as volunteers. We will measure the former in an evaluation process throughout the program. To measure the latter, we have established a series of certification benchmarks that you will be able to follow as you progress through your training and subsequent fieldwork.

Goals of the Desert Museum’s Invaders Program

Develop a baseline map of the scope of our target invasive species inour region.

Refine methods and materials for data collection and reporting online.

Support the efforts of our agency and organization partners.

Continue developing partnerships with regional resource management agenciesto guide us toward sites where we can focus our early detection and reportingefforts.

Provide information to these partners that helps lead to the control and/oreradication of invasive species where possible, and through these connections, provide our volunteers an opportunity to help in these eradication efforts.

We value your contribution and welcome any insights you might have about how we might improve in these efforts. Please see Invaders Program coordinators’ contact information at the end of this section.

Invaders Volunteer Certification Benchmarks

As volunteer citizen scientists in the Invaders Program, we will have the opportunity to measure your training and volunteer accomplishments against a series of certification benchmarks. The levels of certification and requirements for each are:

1. Apprentice: Has completed the formal lab and field training at ASDM and is ready to start data collection and reporting.

2. Intermediate: Reaches 50 hours of time working as an Invaders volunteer (including training hours).

3. Expert: Has submitted five species-specific identification photos that are verified as positive. Will no longer need to send an identification photo for that species with subsequent data reports.

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Beyond the Invaders Program

Finally, we hope that you will share what you learn with friends, family, and neighbors and take your interest to new levels. For those whose interest extends beyond early detection and reporting, we will continue to form partnerships with institutions and agencies that are doing eradication projects and hope to provide opportunities whereby Invaders volunteers may assist in the eradication of some of the species we track.

Other Invasive Species Volunteer Opportunities

The Sonoran Desert Weedwackers have been eradicating buffelgrass and fountaingrass in Pima County's Tucson Mountain Park since 2000. To date they have removed over 57,000 pounds of these invaders! They meet every second Friday and third Saturday of each month. For more information check their website at http://aznps.org/html/exotics_weedwackers.html.

Invaders Program Contact Information

Tani HubbardInvaders Program CoordinatorArizona-Sonora Desert Museum2021 N. Kinney Rd. Tucson, AZ 85743(520) 883-1380 ext. 133thubbard@desertmuseum.org

Yajaira GrayInvaders Program Volunteer CoordinatorArizona-Sonora Desert Museum2021 N. Kinney Rd. Tucson, AZ 85743(520) 883-3018ygray@desertmuseum.org

See the handout with contact information for your fellow Invaders volunteers.

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INVADERS Volunteer Position Description

Position Title and Department: Invasive Species Field Researcher, Center for Sonoran Desert Studies.

Reports to (name & Title): Yajaira Gray, INVADERS Volunteer Coordinator Tani Hubbard, INVADERS Program Manager

Overview of position: Volunteers will conduct surveys in the field to look for invasive species. They will be trained in the identification and reporting of these species. Field surveys will be conducted throughout Arizona.

Primary Specific Tasks:

1. Search for and record data on invasive species around the state.2. Use GPS units, digital cameras, and handheld PCs to collect data. Upload data on

Museum website.3. Function as a “team leader” to train and direct future volunteers in field surveys of

invasive species.

Day(s) of week volunteer(s) work in this position: 2 days/month (8-10 hour days including travel time and fieldwork) with opportunities for additional fieldwork as available.

Hours: Approximately 20 hrs./month

Duration (specify period or minimum # of months): On-going.

Number of individuals in this position: 20

Qualifications:Physical requirements: Hiking skills, field-worthiness, ability to walk on uneven terrain and work in all weather conditions. Ability to handle all situations in the field, including map reading, trail-finding, first-aid situations, etc.

Skills/knowledge required: Ability to use (or be willing to be trained to use) digital cameras, GPS units, handheld PC, and online data entry system.

Background/experience desired: Preferred background in natural history with an emphasis in plant/animal identification. Familiarity with Sonoran Desert ecosystems helpful.

Other Requirements: Availability for training and work projects on weekdays. Ability to provide own transportation to field sites.

Benefits to the volunteer: Contribute to a nationwide citizen science initiative monitoring and preventing the spread of invasive exotic species.

Name(s) of incumbent volunteer(s): None.Drafted by: Robin Kropp and Tani Hubbard updated: 12-06-06

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Invasive Species

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INVASIVE SPECIES

What is an invasive species?

An invasive species is non-native to the ecosystem in consideration and causes or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health.

Sometimes you will see invasive species referred to as exotic, alien, or non-indigenous species. The problem with these names is that they only refer to the non-native part of the definition above. Many exotic or alien species do not cause harm to our economy, our environment, or our health. In fact, the vast majority of “introduced” species do not survive and only about 15% of those that do go on to become “invasive” or harmful.

An invasive species grows/reproduces and spreads rapidly, establishes over large areas, and persists. Species that become invasive succeed due to favorable environmental conditions and lack of natural predators, competitors and diseases that normally regulate their populations.

Plants and animals have always moved around

Plants and animals have been moving from one place to another for many millennia. These movements have been relatively slow, allowing for life forms to adapt to changes in habitat and species interactions. Humans have always been agents of dispersal for plants and animals either accidentally or intentionally. However, as humans began exploring the planet on a larger scale, rates of introductions of species to new areas accelerated. Now with our global economy and advanced technologies, these rates have reached a level never before seen in ecological history.

How did invasive species reach the Southwest?

For more than 2,000 years, Native Americans moved plants and animals all over the Southwest. Starting in the 1500’s, the number of new exotic species as well as the speed at which they moved increased. The Spanish brought exotic agricultural crops and domestic animals from other parts of the world to the Southwest during the Spanish conquest. The new species introduced to the Southwest between 1500 and 1900 were accompanied by changes in physical conditions in the landscape that accelerated the naturalization of these exotics. At the same time, native species were declining. Dams and grazing significantly contributed to the spread of exotic species. The arrival of the railroad resulted in another increase in invasive species. With the development of roads, airlines, and global commerce, species can now travel from one corner of the world to the Southwest in a matter of hours.

What is an introduction?

When a species ends up in a new ecosystem, it is considered “introduced.” Species do naturally change their ranges slowly over time, but it is not these “natural” events that we are concerned with. Most of the introductions that result in invasive species are human caused.

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In some cases, we deliberately introduce species. Examples of this include garden ornamentals, range forage plants for cattle, animals and insects used to control other organisms (particularly in agriculture), and plants used for erosion control and habitat enhancement for wildlife.

Other species are introduced accidentally on imported nursery stock, fruits, and vegetables, in ship ballast waters, on vehicles, in packing materials and shipping containers, through human-built canals, and through human travel.

How does a species become invasive?

It is not enough for a species to be able to exist in its new environment, although a close match between environmental conditions in the species' home environment and the environment to which it is introduced is fundamental to its survival there.  Beyond this, the organism must be able to establish a viable and growing population.  To do so, the new species must be capable of outcompeting and/or displacing native organisms. Lack of natural controls in the new environment is also a factor in the establishment of invasive species. Without the diseases, parasites, and predators that regulated the invader’s population in its homeland, it can spread rapidly. 

Native species may also lack adaptations that allow them to resist competition from or predation by invasive species. If the invasion (particularly with plant species) is coupled with other disturbances to the new ecosystem (e.g., earth moving, plowing, fire, livestock grazing, changes to surface and groundwater hydrology), native populations may be weakened from the start and the ecosystem rendered more susceptible to an invasion..

Why do we care?Invasive species are a form of biological pollution. Invasive species decrease biodiversity by threatening the survival of native plants and animals. They interfere with ecosystem function by changing important processes like fire, nutrient flow, and flooding. Invasive species hybridize with native species resulting in negative genetic impacts. As renowned biologist E. O. Wilson states, “On a global basis…the two great destroyers of biodiversity are, first, habitat destruction and second, invasion by exotic species.”Invasive species also have economic consequences and can endanger human health. Invasive species contaminate agricultural seed crops and reduce their value, pose health threats to livestock, and necessitate costly repairs to harvesting machinery. Invasive insects can harm crop plants and reduce their productivity, contaminate harvest surpluses, and act as vectors of disease among livestock or in human populations. Invasive species can also destroy electrical equipment, homes, and buildings. Control of these organisms chemically, biologically, and mechanically exacts great expenditures of time and money in addition to the losses mentioned above. In the United States alone, these expenses may total many tens of billion (the latest National Geographic article on Invaders estimates the cost at $140 billion) dollars annually.

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WHAT CAN YOU DO TO STOP THE SPREAD OF INVASIVE SPECIES?

VOLUNTEER

You have already taken the first step to do all you can to stop the spread. Becoming a volunteer in the INVADERS of the Sonoran Desert Region program is a great way to help invasive plant managers and eradication groups to successfully prevent and control invasions. You are also preparing yourself to be an educator of others in our community and beyond.

You may also want to join an eradication program in our area. Links to some of these programs will be available on the ASDM INVADERS web page at www.desertmuseum.org/invaders.

EDUCATE YOURSELF AND OTHERS

You will learn the basics of invasive species threats and issues during your citizen scientist training. There are many other sources of information available to you both in this handbook and on the ASDM INVADERS website. Take this opportunity to expand your knowledge and share it with your family, friends, and others in the community. If you come upon information sources that you think would benefit other volunteers, please let us know so we can share that information. We are relying on you as a citizen scientist to not only collect scientific data, but to actively participate in our invasive species community awareness campaign.

DO NOT BE A VEHICLE OF DISPERSION

Most invasive species are introduced by humans accidentally. Learn how to prevent carrying invasive species on your boats, cars, bicycles, motorcycles, and socks and hiking boots. You can visit the following websites for more information on how to prevent the spread of invasives.

Union of Concerned Scientists tips for preventing species invasions (We have included this information in the following pages as well):

http://www.ucsusa.org/global_environment/invasive_species/page.cfm?pageID=390

Habitatitude – an initiative to prevent the release of unwanted fish and aquatic plants. www.habitattitude.net

GARDEN WISELY

Avoid plants that self seed and show up outside of your garden. Do not use weedy volunteers from parks and abandoned lots. Most non-native species are okay; the invasive species are the ones to avoid. However, planting a native species garden can be very rewarding. There are many resources to help with creating low-maintenance and colorful native plant gardens that attract birds and wildlife.

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Invasive Species in the Sonoran Desert Region

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INVASIVE SPECIES IN THE SONORAN DESERT REGION

Invasive species are altering the ecosystems of the Sonoran Desert Region. Native plants have been displaced resulting in radically different habitats and food for wildlife. Species like red brome and buffelgrass have become dense enough in many areas to carry fire in the late spring and early summer. Sonoran Desert plants such as saguaros, palo verdes and many others are not fire-adapted and do not survive these fires.

The number of non-native species tends to be lowest in natural areas of the Sonoran Desert and highest in the most disturbed and degraded habitats. However, species that are unusually aggressive and well adapted do invade natural areas. In the mid 1900’s, there were approximately 146 non-native plant species (5.7% of the total flora) in the Sonoran Desert. Now non-natives comprise nearly 10% of the Sonoran Desert flora overall. In highly disturbed areas, the majority of species are frequently non-native invasives. These numbers continue to increase.

It is crucial that we monitor, control, and eradicate invasive species that are already here. We must also consider the various vectors of dispersal for invasive species that have not yet arrived in Arizona, but are likely to be here in the near future. Early detection and reporting is vital to prevent the spread of existing invasives and keep other invasives from arriving and establishing. This is the premise of the INVADERS of the Sonoran Desert Region program at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum.

We have chosen nine invasive species to initiate the INVADERS program. Seven of these species are invasive plants and two are animal species. The two animal species are not yet in Arizona, but their arrival could be devastating to our state. The nine species are:

Buffelgrass -Pennisetum ciliareFountaingrass - Pennisetum setaceumNatalgrass - Melinis repensSahara mustard - Brassica tournefortiiTamarisk (saltcedar) - Tamarix chinensisAthel tree - Tamarix aphyllaOnionweed – Asphodelus fistulosusRed imported fire ant - Solenopsis invictaArgentine cactus moth - Cactoblastis cactorum

Information on each of these species including their identification, impact, history, and distribution are included in the following pages of this handbook. This information is also available on the ASDM website at www.desertmuseum.org/invaders.

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BUFFELGRASS (PENNISETUM CILIARE)

What is it?

Buffelgrass is a shrubby grass to 1.5 feet tall and 3 feet wide. It looks like a bunchgrass when small (either a seedling or recently burned, grazed, or cut). Older plants branch profusely and densely at nodes, giving mature plants a messy appearance. These nodal branches produce new leaves and flower spikes very quickly after light rains, making buffelgrass an extremely prolific seed producer.

Some native grasses such as Arizona cottontop (Digitaria californica) branch sparsely and do not appear shrubby. Bush muhly ( Muhlenbergia porteri ) is a true densely-branched shrub; it differs from buffelgrass in its very delicate texture.

An entire mature plant. A single basal stem teased out, showing the profuse branching above ground.

Inflorescences are 1.5 to 5 inches long, fat brown to purplish when fresh or occasionally straw-colored. The spikes are crowded with dense bristly fruit which are actually burs without hardened spines. (For this reason buffelgrass is sometimes included in the genus Cenchrus , the burgrasses .) This is primarily a warm-season grass, but below 3000 feet in our region it can grow and flower after almost any rain.

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The individual units visible in these

buffelgrass inflorescences are basically soft burs.

The most similar native grass is plains bristlegrass (Setaria macrostachya). The

individual seeds are clearly visible.

Why is it a Threat?

Buffelgrass grows densely and crowds out native plants of similar size. Competition for water can weaken and kill larger desert plants. Dense roots and ground shading prevent germination of seeds. It appears that buffelgrass can kill most native plants by these means alone.

Tumamoc Hill in Tucson, home of the University of Arizona's historic Desert Laboratory visible at left, has been overrun by buffelgrass in the last two decades. It has not burned, but native plants are declining and dying from lack of water. Photos: Travis Bean

[Red brome ( Bromus rubens ) is another invasive grass that has covered huge areas of lower bajadas in the upper Sonoran Desert. This annual grass has caused serious

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damage in the past several decades. It grows densely only in wetter years and produces relatively mild fires, so fires are infrequent and don't completely kill native communities in one episode. Nonetheless conversion is progressing where it has invaded.]

Buffelgrass is a very drought-tolerant perennial, so it can remain dense and even spread in dry years. It is present to burn year round and supports hotter fires than those of red brome. The Sonoran Desert evolved without fire as an ecological factor and most of its plants cannot tolerate it. A single buffelgrass fire kills nearly all native plants in its path. The buffelgrass invasion is now destroying steep hillsides compared to red brome's flatter terrain, and is rapidly converting formerly rich biological communities into monocultural wastelands.

A "natural" roadside with native vegetation. AZ Hwy 85 in Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, where buffelgrass is controlled.

The shoulders of this road near Saric, Sonora are almost 100% buffelgrass, a common result where it isn't controlled. Buffelgrass is abundant in the adjacent hills, but heavy grazing keeps it from reaching burnable density.

Buffelgrass resprouts vigorously after fires, but most native desert plants are killed. Near Caborca, Sonora.

This hillside near Caborca, Sonora recently burned, killing nearly all of the native plants. Only charred skeletons of teddy bear cholla (Cylindropuntia bigelovii) and a palo verde (Parkinsonia microphylla) are visible. The rich Arizona Upland vegetation that once grew here can be seen in the distance.

There is growing evidence that buffelgrass depletes soil fertility in a decade or so. It then dies and leaves behind a sterile wasteland. No one knows how much time will be needed to restore such ruined land.

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Distribution

Native to the Old World where it is widespread in Africa, the Middle East, Indonesia and nearby islands, and tropical Asia. Introduced to Australia and the New World.

In the Sonoran Desert Region buffelgrass is common in southern Arizona and most of Sonora.

Habitat

There are two seemingly unrelated habitats in the Sonoran Desert. In valleys and lower slopes buffelgrass invades disturbed areas such as roadsides and cleared or grazed fields. It Arizona it is spreading very rapidly along medians and shoulders of major highways and more slowly on smaller roads. In northern Sonora it has been present longer, and it dominates long stretches of smaller highways. From the town of Imuris, Sonora buffelgrass extends in a continuous ribbon along highway 15 all the way to Sinaloa, interrupted only by a few cities.

A typical roadside habitat for buffelgrass (under the stopsign). The larger grasses

are the related fountaingrass (Pennisetum setaceum), which is also a serious invasive

threat.

This cleared field is nearly pure buffelgrass. It has not dominated the

surrounding flats which have not been cleared of vegetation.

Its other habitat is steep rocky hillsides, mostly east- and south-facing slopes. It is most abundant on debris cones near the angle of repose. These steepest slopes may be the best establishment sites from which it will eventually spread. Some less steep hillsides are completely covered with buffelgrass, so the invasion may still be in its early stages. It occurs from near sea level to 4150 feet elevation.

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A steep rocky hillside in the Pan Quemado Mts, Ironwood Forest National Monument. Several patches of buffelgrass are visible.

Buffelgrass being censused on a hillside near Magdalena, Sonora. Most of the herbaceous plants have disappeared.

 History

Buffelgrass was introduced to the United States about in the1930s as livestock forage. It was in planting trials at the Soil Conservation Service nursery in Tucson from 1938 to 1952. Several experimental plantings were done beginning in 1941 at Aguila near Phoenix. Most did not do well. (Another planting in Avra Valley west of Tucson in the early 1980s also died out where it was planted on flat ground.)

Records of collections in natural habitat were sparse until about 1980 when it began a rapid expansion. One example is Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, where buffelgrass was rare before 1984 (Felger 1990). By 1994 it had occupied 20-25 square miles and was expanding rapidly. Few people other than botanists noticed it in Arizona before 1990. Today it is difficult not to see it in the southern half of the state.

A survey of roads done by the Desert Museum in 2004 revealed the full extent of the buffelgrass invasion of Arizona and northern Sonora (map below).

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Buffelgrass distribution along roads in Arizona and northern Sonora. Red symbols in both maps denote areas where buffelgrass is the dominant plant and dense enough to burn.

Buffelgrass distribution in the Tucson vicinity. The survey was not completed within the urbanized zone; buffelgrass is present here in nearly every vacant lot and unpaved road shoulder.

What can be Done?

Buffelgrass can be controlled by manual pulling and herbicides. Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument nearly eradicated patches covering ca. 25 square miles in three years of intensive manual labor. After the initial control only minor efforts have been required to destroy new infestations (though searching the huge park takes a great deal of time). Volunteer groups such as Sonoran Desert Weedwackers are active in controlling it in other areas such as Tucson Mountains Pima County Park.

The highest priority should probably be to control buffelgrass on roads outside of urban zones, because these are the seed sources for invasion of natural habitats. Second priority should go to the most valuable habitats such as parks.

In the long run we may need biological control. This will be a controversial issue because buffelgrass is still valued as livestock forage. To this issue, it must be publicized that buffelgrass is not nearly as economically viable as first thought. Research in Africa, Australia, South America, Texas, and Sonora reveal that the average useful life of a buffelgrass pasture is only 10-12 years. Under exceptional management productive pastures have lasted only 15 or 16 years (Ibarra 1999). Buffelgrass impoverishes the soil and evenually dies, leaving behind a sterile wasteland that requires expensive efforts to restore productivity.

The public and land management agencies must be educated to recognize Buffelgrass for the threat that it is. The state of Arizona declared it to be a noxious weed in March 2005. On the other hand, at least one branch of the federal government is breeding buffelgrass to develop more cold-hardy varieties.

Other common names: African foxtail grass, anjan grass, syn. Cenchrus ciliaris.

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References

Tellman, Barbara (ed.). 2002. Invasive Exotic Species in the Sonoran Desert Region. University of Arizona Press.

Ibarra F., Fernando. 1999. Lo mejor del dia del ganadero. Summary of oral presentation on website.

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FOUNTAINGRASS (PENNISETUM SETACEUM)

What is it?

Fountaingrass is an attractive, robust clumping grass that grows up to 3 ft tall and wide. Its long, wiry leaves are 11 to 30 in long from the base and form dense, light green clumps in summer. Together the old whitish and the new purplish inflorescences form a halo above the green leafy core. The cylindrical inflorescences are thick, 4 to 14 in long, round in cross-section, pink, or purplish during colder weather, and dry white. Soft silky hairs to over an inch long surround the fruits. This grass is most vigorous in the warm season (July-September), but also flowers most of the year below 3000 feet in our region. It appears to be somewhat more cold tolerant than buffelgrass (Pennisetum ciliare) as it reaches 4800 feet elevation in the Santa Catalina Mountains (650 feet higher than buffelgrass).

 

 

 

Buffelgrass is another introduced African grass in the genus Pennisetum, which is also a serious invasive species in the Sonoran Desert Region. It differs from fountaingrass in its smaller size (1 to 1.5 ft tall), branched stems, broad leaves and shorter (1.5 to 5 in long) fat, brown to purplish cylindrical inflorescences growing from nodes along the stems. Above 4000 feet, bullgrass ( Muhlenbergia emersleyi ) is a 3 ft tall, clumping native species that resembles fountaingrass. Its numerous small seeds with long (0.5 in) purplish bristles form loose, flattened, nodding banners that are unlike the cylindrical inflorescences of fountaingrass.

Photos: Mark Dimmitt

Photo: Mark Dimmitt

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Why is it a Threat?

Fountaingrass is a large grass that produces lots of seeds that can spread rapidly spreads from cultivation into nearby disturbed areas, and eventually into natural habitats. It often forms dense stands and aggressively competes with native species, especially perennial grasses and seasonal annuals, for space, water, and nutrients.

Fountaingrass provides lots of fuel, and is well adapted to fire. In Hawaii , fountaingrass fires are a serious threat to the native species. After burns, it regrows rapidly from extensive roots. In contrast, fire is not an ecological process in the Sonoran Desert or tropical communities to the south, and native trees, shrubs, and succulents are decimated by fire. In the Arizona Upland, grasses often dominate roadsides and fires are more frequent than in undisturbed habitats. Grasses that commonly occur with fountaingrass on roadsides include the native cane beardgrass (Bothriochloa barbinodis), plains bristlegrass (Setaria macrostachya), purple threeawn (Aristida purpurea) , spike pappusgrass (Pappophorum vaginatum), tanglehead (Heteropogon contortus) , the non-native barley (Hordeum murinum) , Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon) , Lehmann lovegrass (Eragrostis lehmanniana), Natalgrass (Melinis repens), red brome (Bromus rubens), and wild oats (Avena fatua).

Threats from fountaingrass fires are most serious in natural riparian habitats in scenic mountain canyons. In the Tucson area, it has invaded the rocky canyons in Finger Rock, Pima, Sabino, and other Canyons in the Santa Catalina Mountains and King Canyon in the Tucson Mountains . Fountaingrass is less of a threat in desert grassland or chaparral above 3500 feet where fire is a natural process.

It has been declared as a state noxious weed by Hawaii and Nevada .

Distribution

Fountaingrass is native to North Africa and the Middle East . It has been widely cultivated as an ornamental around the world and often escapes into natural habitats. In the United States, it is common in southern Arizona, southern California, southern Nevada, southwestern Utah, and Hawaii . It has also been found in Florida, Louisiana, Tennessee, Oregon, Colorado, and Texas .

In Arizona it is widespread in the Phoenix, Tucson, Ajo, and Gila Bend areas in Maricopa and Pima counties. It is also common along the Colorado River from Lake Mead to Parker in Mohave and La Paz counties. A few plants have been found in Cochise, Gila, Pinal, Santa Cruz , and Yavapai counties. In the Mexican portion of the Sonoran Desert Region, it is only beginning to escape cultivation in Alamos, Kino Bay, and Magdalena (Sonora), near Ensenada (Baja California), and Mulegé (Baja California Sur).

Habitat

Fountaingrass mostly occurs on disturbed roadsides, rocky outcrops, canyons, and cliffs from 2000 to 3500 feet in the Sonoran Desert Region in Arizona . It is most common in riparian habitats within paloverde-

Fountaingrass invading a suburban roadside. Photo: Mark Dimmitt

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saguaro desertscrub in the Arizona Upland Sonoran Desert . It is less common in the Lower Colorado River Valley desertscrub down to about 985 feet, and in chaparral, desert grassland, and oak woodland up to 4800 feet. On the north side of Tucson, it replaces buffelgrass on roadsides and rocky road cuts.

It is also common in another riparian habitat on flood lines and rocky shores of reservoirs and rivers in low-elevation (400 to 1200 feet) Mohave and Sonoran desertscrub. It is common from Lake Mead to Parker along the Colorado River in some very hot, dry areas.

History

Although fountaingrass was reported in Hawaii as early as 1914, it was first collected on roadsides in Arizona in the Santa Catalina Mountains (4500 ft elevation) and in Ajo in 1940. It was used in urban landscapes in Tucson as early as 1940, and cultivated in the Soil Conservation Nursery (now National Resource Conservation Service) in 1941. It was well established in the Santa Catalina Mountains by the 1940's and the Phoenix area by 1962. Later specimens were collected in now-protected natural areas in the Tucson area including Tumamoc Hill (1968), the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum (1966), and King Canyon (1988) in the Tucson Mountains, and Sabino Canyon (1974) in the Santa Catalina Mountains. Like buffelgrass, it has expanded dramatically in many areas since 1990.

What can be Done?

Fountaingrass can be controlled by physically removing the entire plant, including the seed-bearing inflorescences. Seedlings and small plants can easily be pulled by hand. Iron digging bars or shovels will help extract larger plants. It may be necessary to return to controlled areas for several years to remove seedlings. Chemical treatments with systemic herbicides may be needed to control large infestations. Herbicides have been sprayed from boats to control fountaingrass along rocky shorelines of Colorado River reservoirs.

There are alternatives for fountaingrass in urban landscapes. Bronzeleaf fountaingrass (var. cupreum) is a genetically-modified sterile cultivar that

can be planted instead of the normal plants. Native grasses that resemble fountaingrass but are not invasive include bullgrass and deergrass (Muhlenbergia rigens). Beargrass (Nolina microcarpa) and desert spoon (or sotol, Dasylirion wheeleri) are native succulents that grow in large clumps that are attractive in desert gardens and road medians.

Links

California Exotic Pest Plant Council: http://ucce.ucdavis.edu/files/filelibrary/5319/17411.pdf

Pima County Exotic Species Council: www.co.pima.az.us/cmo/sdcp/

Poorly-maintained nurseries can be sources of new invasive weeds. Fountaingrass in this nursery is in seed and can soon invade surrounding land.

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National Resource Conservation Service, National Plant Data Center , USDA. 2004. The PLANTS Database, Version 3.5: http://plants.usda.gov/cgi_bin/plant_profile.cgi?symbol=PESE3

Plant Conservation Alliance, Alien Plant Working Group: www.nps.gov/plants/alien/fact/pesel.htm

References

Tellman, Barbara (ed.) 2002. Invasive Exotic Species in the Sonoran Desert . University of Arizona Press.

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NATALGRASS (MELINIS REPENS)

What is it?

Natalgrass (synonym Rhynchelytrum roseum) is an erect grass to 28 in tall that has attractive long reddish or pink silky hairs on the triangular fruit at maturity, fading to silvery white with age. In the northern part of its geographic range, it is short-lived perennial or annual, but becomes stouter in warmer areas to the south. The branched inflorescences are open (2-3 in wide) and fluffy. The leaves are narrow and flat (3-8 in long) from unbranched stems. It can flower throughout the year under favorable temperature and moisture conditions but is limited by hard freezes.

Photo: T.R. Van Devender

Photo: Mark Dimmitt

Bush muhly ( Muhlenbergia porter ) is a native species with pink inflorescences but differs from Natalgrass in its sprawling growth habit and tiny pink seeds in nebulous clusters growing from stem nodes. Arizona cottontop ( Digitaria californica ) also has white silvery hairs but the fruit are flattened, oval, and in slender spikes rather than open panicles.

Why is it a Threat?

In most areas in the Tucson vicinity, Natalgrass mainly occurs on roadsides and does not present a serious threat to natural ecosystems. But in eastern and north-central Sonora it left the roadsides and invaded natural grassland habitats beginning about 1990. As with Lehmann lovegrass (Eragrostis lehmanniana), weeping lovegrass (E. curvula), King Ranch bluestem (Bothriochloa ischaemum), and other non-native forage grasses in Arizona, the introduction of Natalgrass results in changes in the composition and structure of desert grassland, but not conversion to desertscrub or some other type of

vegetation. In contrast to buffelgrass ( Pennisetum ciliare ) , it does not appear likely to invade drier desert habitats in the Sonoran Desert Region in patches dense enough

Natalgrass has recently taken over this hillside near Yécora, Sonora. Photo: T.R. Van Devender

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to burn and convert desertscrub to savanna-like grassland. In Hawaii and some areas on the Mexican Plateau north of Mexico City, recurrent fires in dense Natalgrass stands threaten natural vegetation and native species. It is listed as an alien pest species in Hawaii.

South of Nogales, Sonora, dense Natalgrass stands along the highway right-of-way burns regularly. In one area, a fire spread up a grassland slope and burned hop bush (Dodonaea viscosa) and other shrubs to the ground. It has colonized the canyon bottom and is invading the adjacent south-facing slopes of Pima Canyon in the Santa Catalina Mountains near Tucson. In the Mule Mountains five miles west of Bisbee in southeastern Arizona, it grows densely with velvet mesquite (Prosopis velutina) and ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens) in desert grassland on a south-facing slope very similar to those south of Nogales. It is intolerant of cold and dies back to the base at the first frost. Cold temperatures probably prevent it from expanding into many higher or more northern areas in Arizona. However, its behavior in warmer areas to the south suggests that it is prudent to watch it in the southern Arizona borderlands where many tropical plants and animals reach their northern distributional limits.

Distribution

Natalgrass is native to South Africa but is now introduced in the warmer parts of the world, including tropical Latin America in North and South America. In the United States it is mostly found in Florida, west along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico to south Texas, southern Arizona, and Hawaii. It also occurs in Maryland, Virginia, New Mexico, southern California, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. In Sonora, zacate rosado is common in the Nogales-Imuris area (north-central) and from Tepoca to the Yécora-Maycoba area (eastern). It is locally present in Sonoran Desert in central and west-central Sonora, and southward and eastward into more tropical areas.

In Arizona Natalgrass is locally common in Pima County in the Santa Catalina and Tucson Mountains, and Tucson, and in Cochise County in the Mule Mountains west of Bisbee. It is uncommon in Santa Cruz County in the Santa Rita Mountains.

Habitat

Natalgrass is most common in Arizona on disturbed roadsides along paved highways in desert grassland 3000 to 4000 feet. In eastern and northern Sonora, and in the Mule Mountains west of Bisbee, it has spread into natural desert grassland. It is less common in the Arizona Upland Sonoran Desert down to 2400 feet and oak woodland up to 5700 feet.

In Sonora, it is common in desert grassland northeast of Imuris and south of Nogales (to 4300 feet), and near Maycoba in the Sierra Madre Occidental in eastern Sonora (to 5400 feet). It occurs in desertscrub, foothills thornscrub, and tropical deciduous forest from near sea level in the Guaymas area through the transition into oak woodland (3600 feet) above Tepoca in eastern Sonora.

History

Natalgrass fire in highway median, south of Nogales, Sonora. Photo: T.R. Van Devender

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This attractive grass with its long purplish-pink, silky hairs on the fruit and open inflorescences has been grown as an ornamental. It was grown for forage in the southeastern United States. In the Arizona Flora published in 1951, Natalgrass was only reported in Pima County in the Santa Catalina Mountains near Tucson. Since that time it has spread into many areas in the Tucson area and appears to be expanding its range in the Arizona-Sonora borderlands.

What can be Done?

Management and control methods are not well known. It should not be planted as an ornamental and should be pulled by hand in areas of conservation concern.

Other Common Names: rose Natalgrass, Natal redtop, zacate rosado, espiga colorada, pink feathergrass, rubygrass, Holme's grass, blanketgrass.

Links

Utah State University Intermountain Herbarium Grass Manual (distribution map in the United States)

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Plants Profile

Fact sheet on Natalgrass in the Pacific Islands

References

Gould, F. W. 1977. Grasses of the Southwestern United States. University of Arizona Press, Tucson.

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SAHARA MUSTARD (BRASSICA TOURNEFORTII)

What is it?

Numerous Old World mustards have invaded North America. Of these Sahara mustard (aka several other names) is the newest and by far the worst. It is a robust, fast-growing, drought-tolerant winter annual that prefers sandy soils. The basal rosette of divided hairy leaves can span three feet in wet years. The nearly leafless flowering stems branch profusely and grow to a height of about two feet, creating the appearance of a shrub from a distance. The small light yellow flowers are self-pollinating, so each of the thousands of them sets a seed pod. Large plants produce up to 9000 seeds. Dried plants break off at the base and tumble like Russian thistle (tumbleweed, Salsola tragus), spreading seeds rapidly across the landscape. When wet, the seeds are sticky with mucilage and can be transported long distances by animals and perhaps vehicles.

All photos: Mark Dimmitt

Several other exotic mustards are also invasive threats to the Sonoran Desert. Most of them have been here a long time and have already invaded most suitable habitat; we can hope they will not cause further damage to communities. Black mustard (Brassica nigra and similar spp.) can also grow to nearly three feet tall. It is distinguished from Sahara mustard by its smaller leaves and larger, bright yellow flowers. London rocket ( Sisymbrium irio ) is a major pest in gardens as well as roadsides and undisturbed desert areas. It has bright shiny leaves and flower stalks up to 2 feet tall with small bright yellow flowers.

Arugula (aka rocket salad, Eruca vesicaria sativa) is a culinary herb with one-inch whitish to yellowish fragrant flowers. The plants can grow to 5 feet tall in wet years as in the image at right. It is now the dominant plant in much of the area along Interstate 8 from Gila Bend west to the Maricopa County line, a distance of 45 miles. Along this stretch it extends on both sides of the freeway as far as the eye can see. It has been there for many

Almost everything visible in this scene is arugula. The plants are nearly as tall as the widely-scattered creosotebushes barely visible in this scene taken in March 2005.

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decades and is apparently spreading slowly. Because of the stealthy spread and its remote location, its invasion has gone largely unnoticed except by botanists. Though a significant local threat, arugula is a minor problem compared to Sahara mustard.

 

Why is it a Threat?

This dune evening primrose seedling (Oenothera deltoidea, right) will soon be overgrown by the Sahara mustard seedlings next to it.

Sand verbena (Abronia villosa) struggling to survive beneath a large Sahara mustard that germinated at the same time.

This weed grows very fast, smothering native herbaceous plants and even competing with shrubs for light and soil moisture. The famous wildflower fields of the sandy valleys of Lower Colorado River Valley Sonoran Desertscrub are in danger. In the winter-spring of 2005 about three-quarters of the prime display areas were overrun with Sahara mustard in California and Arizona. Fortunately it does not do well in every year. It is known that a freeze can kill the plants and give native flowers a chance to grow and reproduce. However, freezes are uncommon in the low desert.

Then: 1998 Now: 2005 What we have lost: These two scenes were both photographed in the northern end of the Mohawk Dunes in western Arizona. In 2005 Sahara mustard covered 70-90% of the surface area at this location. Almost no native wildflowers bloomed here in 2005.

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In wet years Sahara mustard covers the ground almost 100% and can carry fire when it dries. It is a frightful thought that hyperarid desert, including sand dunes, can burn because of this weed. There have already been documented fires in the dunes west of Blythe, CA and the Pinta sands in the Cabeza Prieta Wildlife Refuge. This latter site is a remote, uninhabited, and previously pristine habitat. Most Sonoran Desert plants cannot tolerate fire; burned areas become wastelands of nearly pure Sahara mustard.

Snow Creek Canyon on the south side of the San Jacinto Mountains near Palm Springs, CA used to be covered in huge carpets of pink, yellow, and white flowers in wet springs. Now it is almost 100% Sahara mustard.

This area of sand dunes in the Chuckwalla Valley, CA (west of Blythe) burned, killing most of the creosotebushes. Sahara mustard was the fuel.

This is the worst invasive plant in the Sonoran Desert in terms of area covered and damage inflicted on the biotic community. In riparian communities saltcedar is its rival.

Distribution

Sahara mustard is abundant in the Desert Southwest at low and mid elevations from southeastern California to southern Nevada and south into Baja California and Sonora. It's rare in southern New Mexico and western Texas. It extends to the edge of the tropics in Mexico.

It is native to many areas of the Old World from north Africa and the Middle East east to southern Europe and Pakistan.

Habitat

It is most abundant in Lower Colorado River Valley Sonoran Desertscrub and lower Mohave Desertscrub. It's currently uncommon in Arizona Upland Sonoran Desertscrub, and rare in chaparral and desert grassland. It favors sandy, disturbed soils at low elevations, but its range is expanding rapidly into undisturbed soils including rocky hillsides in Arizona Upland. The literature lists its elevational range as 250 to 2800 feet, but it has recently been found above 4100 feet.

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This huge field of dried Sahara mustard near very arid Parker, AZ was several miles long. If it catches fire, the houses in the background are at risk as well as the few native plants left.

One way that weeds invade new habitats: This mound of imported soil in Tucson, AZ was infested with seeds of Sahara mustard and London rocket.

History

This recent invader probably arrived in North America as a contaminant in crop seed. The first record is from California's Coachella Valley in 1927. It was first discovered in Arizona-Sonora in 1957 on Mexico Highway 2 near Yuma. By the 1970s it was widespread in the low desert in Arizona, California, Baja California, and Sonora. It doesn't seem to have caused much alarm until the early 1990s when people began to realize how much habitat it was overrunning.

Sahara mustard was first collected in Tucson in 1978, and in 1991 was reported as rare. Today it is widespread and locally common in the metropolitan area and surrounding suburbs.

What can be Done?

In small areas Sahara mustard can be eradicated by pulling plants before they mature seed. This is most effective in new invasions where a seed bank has not been established.

Control in the thousands of square miles of remote desert habitat seems almost hopeless. It is unlikely that a biological agent, if found, would be approved because many important crop plants are in the genus Brassica (e.g., cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, brussels sprouts). There are also numerous native mustards that might be threatened by a biological agent.

In selected areas herbicide treatment may be effective. Sahara mustard tends to be the first annual to germinate after a rain, so early treatment may reduce its abundance and allow later-germinating natives to establish.

The spread of Sahara mustard can be reduced by controlling it along roads, which provide corridors for rapid invasion into new habitats.

Other Common Names: Asian mustard, Moroccan mustard, desert mustard, southwestern mustard, Mediterranean mustard, Mediterranean turnip, wild turnip, prickly turnip, turnip weed.

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References

Felger, R.S. 1990. Non-native plants of Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. Tech. Rep. 31. Tucson: Cooperative National Park Research Studies Unit.

Felger, R.S. 2000. Flora of the Gran Desierto and Rio Colorado of Northwestern Mexico. Tucson: University of Arizona Press.

Minnich, R.A. and A.C. Sanders. 2000. Brassica tournefortii Gouan. In: Bossard, C.C., J.M. Randall, and M.C. Hoshovsky. eds. Invasive Plants of California's Wildlands. University of California Press, Berkeley and Los Angeles. 360 pp.

Tellman, Barbara (ed.). 2002. Invasive Exotic Species in the Sonoran Desert Region. University of Arizona Press.

Van Devender, T.R., R.S. Felger, and A. Burquez M. 1997. Exotic Plants in the Sonoran Desert region. 1997 Symposium Proceedings, California Exotic Pest Plant Council. Website

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TAMARISK, SALTCEDAR, ATHEL TREE (TAMARIX SPP.)

What is it?

Tamarisk is a general term for several species of Old World shrubs and trees in the genus Tamarix with scalelike leaves on very thin terminal twigs.

Saltcedars are large shrubs or small trees 8-16 feet tall and usually less wide. They have tiny, triangular, scale-like leaves that are winter-deciduous. The flowers are pink to near-white, densely crowded along branched terminal spikes; they appear from January to October. Fruit and seeds are tiny, brown, inconspicuous. The several species introduced to North America have been labeled Tamarix chinensis (our current choice for southern Arizona plants), T. ramosissima, T. pentandra, T. parviflora, and T. gallica. They are very similar in appearance and are hybridizing, so distinguishing among them is difficult. Apparently the hybrid populations are the most invasive.

Young saltcedar (Tamarix cf. chinensis) in flower. Photo: Steve Dewey, Utah State University; www.forestryimages.org

Tamarix chinensis branch with flowers. The tiny triangular leaves stick out from the stems, giving the twigs a prickly feel. Photo: T.R. Van Devender

Athel tree (Tamarix aphylla, also called saltcedar) is a large evergreen tree to 50 feet tall and wide with virtually no leaves (reduced to tiny scales) and inconspicuous whitish flowers. It was long thought to be sterile and therefore at most mildly invasive, but it is reproducing from seed in some localities. It has been doing so at Lake Mead for 30 years, and is hybridizing with the deciduous saltcedars.

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A young-mature athel tree at Lake Mead. Photo: Elizabeth Powell

Closeup of athel tree twigs showing the tiny scalelike leaves and small white flowers. Photo: Mark Dimmitt; inset: Elizabeth Powell

Australian pines (Casuarina spp.) could be confused with tamarisks. They have similar thin branches and scale-like leaves. Casuarinas don't seem to be invasive in the southwestern U.S., where they are found mostly in landscaped areas.

Why is it a Threat?

Tamarisks are extremely invasive in riparian communities, often nearly completely replacing native vegetation with impenetrable thickets. They are extremely competitive against native vegetation because they are aggressive usurpers of water. They also sequester salt in their foliage, and where flooding does not flush out soil salts the leaf litter increases the salinity of soil surfaces. Dense stands of saltcedars support lower biodiversity than the natural communities they displace.

This stretch of Tonto Creek above Roosevelt Lake in Arizona is choked with Tamarix chinensis . Most of the green on the valley floor is this saltdecar. Photo: Mark Dimmitt

Several miles of Greene Wash south of Casa Grande, AZ is dominated by athel trees. These may have propagated by pieces of branches that wash downstream in floods and take root, or they may be seeding. Natural washes in this region are vegetated by desert ironwood trees ( Olneya tesota ) and blue palo verde ( Parkinsonia florida ). Photo: Mark Dimmitt

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Distribution

Tamarisks are almost throughout the Southwest below about 6000 feet elevation. In Arizona they are widespread, especially south of the Mogollon Rim and in the Grand Canyon.

Habitat

Tamarisks occur mostly on low ground where water collects. They are most abundant in riparian habitats, both natural and artificial, often in extensive pure stands. They are less common in drier places. They thrive in alkaline and saline soils.

History

Various species of tamarisks were in cultivation in the United States in the early 1800s. The National Arboretum released T. pentandra in 1870. Tamarisk was first noticed to be escaping from cultivation in 1880, and by the end of the century it was common along southern Arizona and Texas rivers.

What can be Done?

There are teams of "tammywackers" in several states that are making progress in local areas. Specially modified jacks are used to grip and pull trees up by their roots. Cutting and treating the stumps with herbicides gives good control. Aerial spraying is being used in large areas where tamarisks have completely taken over. In areas too large or too remote for manual control, flood management can reduce the dominance of saltcedars. Periodic floods prevent saltcedars from forming dense thickets, permitting native trees and substory plants to establish and maintain codominance.

References

Gaskin, J.F. and P.B. Shafroth. 2005. Hybridization of Tamarix ramosissima and T. chinensis (saltcedars) with T. aphylla (athel) (Tamaricaceae) in the southwestern USA determined from DNA sequence data. Madroño 52(1):1-10.

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ONIONWEED (ASPHODELUS FISTULOSUS )

What is it?

Onionweed is an herbaceous perennial in the lily family (Liliaceae) to about a foot tall and almost as wide. Clusters of long, tapering, round, hollow leaves very much resemble chives or scallions. Leaves sprout after winter rains. Flowers appear in spring. Plants die to the ground during dry season.

The flat flowers are less than a half-inch across and have six petaloid parts, each white with pink center line. They are sparsely distributed on branched spikes to almost two feet tall.

Fruits are 1/8-inch round capsules.

Onionweed might be confused with some native onions (Allium spp.) Allium macropetalum (desert onion) is a much shorter plant with leaves rarely more than four inches tall. Taller native onions grow in different habitats than onionweed.

Closeup of flower. Photo: Mark Dimmitt Dried plant with seed capsules. Photo: USDA

Why is it a Threat?

Onionweed is an aggressive invasive species. Introduced as an ornamental, it easily escapes cultivation into surrounding unirrigated land. It seeds prolifically and can establish large populations quickly. It is unpalatable to cattle and apparently to most wildlife, so it is very persistent once established. To date it tends to invade disturbed ground, so it is unclear whether it will be a threat to natural communities.

Mature plant in flower. Photo: Mark Dimmitt

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Distribution

Native to southern Europe, Mediterranean Africa, and Western Asia. In the United States onionweed occurs in California (in several coastal southern counties), Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. Also known to be in Mexico. It is a noxious weed causing problems in Australia. Arizona infestations are primarily in the southeastern corner of the state. A few small infestations have been found in Tucson. Reported but unverified in Ajo.

Habitat

In the Sonoran Desert region this weed seems to do best in areas above the desert that receive moderate winter rainfall. A well-established population in suburban Tucson was reduced to only two plants after the severe drought of 2002. Plants have been found in Arizona from about 2000 feet elevation to at least 4500 feet.

History

Plants introduced into the United States in the 1980s may be the founders of our invasion. They were offered for sale in Alpine, Texas and Phoenix, Arizona as early as 1984. Some of the original US plants were collected from a naturalized population near Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico, where the species was documented in 1930.

What can be Done?

Some nurseries offer onionweed as an ornamental even though it is a prohibited noxious weed in many states as well as a federally listed noxious weed. Do not buy it or plant it, and eradicate it if it is established on your property.

Pulling the plant is usually not effective. The top breaks off leaving the tuberous roots underground. They must be dug up by the roots or sprayed with herbicide.

Other common names: pink asphodel, hollow-stemmed asphodel

Links

Onionweed invading a roadside in southeastern Arizona. Photo: USDA

A flowering plant in desert grassland with mesquite. Photo: USDA APHIS Archives, www.forestryimages.org

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USDA Plant Database Profile

InvasiveSpecies.org onionweed page

The Nature Conservancy's Invasive Species Initiative

References

(The literature on this species is very sparse.)

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RED IMPORTED FIRE ANT (SOLENOPSIS INVICTA) What is it?

The red imported fire ant (RIFA) is a small reddish brown ant from South America . There are six known species of fire ants (Solenopsis spp.) in the United States, three of which are found in Arizona. These three species are the southern fire ant (S. xyloni), and two species of desert fire ant (S. aurea and S. amblychila). RIFA has not established in Arizona, but is present in the bordering states of New Mexico and California. It was discovered near Yuma, Arizona but was exterminated.

Adult red imported fire ants. Photo: USDA APHIS PPQ Archives, www.forestryimages.org .

RIFA workers marked with wire bands. Photo: Bart Drees

RIFA are small but highly aggressive. They inject a necrotising, alkaloid venom when they sting. The stings result in painful, itchy, and persistent pustules, and sometimes in severe allergic reactions. Five million people are stung each year in the southeastern United States. About 25,000 of these people require medical consultation. When a fire ant mound is disturbed, workers boil to the surface, run up any legs, arms, etc. in the vicinity, grab the victim's skin in their mandibles and sting synchronously in response to the slightest movement. The attacks are coordinated and dozens or even hundreds of workers sting in unison.

Fire ants swarming boot after mound disturbance. Photo: Bart Drees. Pustules from RIFA stings. Photo: Murray

S. Blum, The University of Georgia, www.forestryimages.org

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Fire ants live in colonies that may have 100,000 to 500,000 ants. The queen of the colony can lay from 1500 to 5000 eggs per day, never leaves the nest and can live for many years. Worker ants take care of the queen and her eggs, build the nest, defend the colony, and find food. Preferred food of fire ants consists of protein-rich sources such as insects and seeds. Winged male and female ants fly from the colony in the spring and summer to mate in the air. The males die and the females become queens that start new colonies.

Only the red imported fire ant has a median clypeal tooth and a striated mesepimeron; these may be difficult to see at first. RIFA also have an antennal scape that nearly reaches the vertex, a post-petiole that is constricted at the back half, and the petiolar process is small or absent. Of the native fire ant species, the southern fire ant (Solenopsis xyloni) looks the most like the red imported fire ant. It can be identified by its brown to black color, well-developed petiolar process, and no median clypeal tooth. Desert fire ants (Solenopsis aurea and S. amblychila) are both yellowish-red to reddish-yellow and have a well-developed petiolar process. RIFA can also be identified by the proportion of large to small workers in disturbed mounds. If half the workers in disturbed mounds are large and dark, it is RIFA. If only a few large ants appear relative to hundreds of small ants, it is non-RIFA.

Median clypeal tooth can be seen here on head above the mandibles. Mandible has 4 teeth. Photo: Carl Olsen

Side view of adult RIFA worker. Photo: USDA APHIS PPQ Archives, www.forestryimages.org.

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Table: Characteristics of RIFA and RIFA mounds

Characteristic Description RIFA  

# of node segments 2

# of sizes of workers Many (polymorphic)

Size of workers 3 – 7 mm

Shape of thorax Uneven

# of antennal segments 10 with two-segment club at tip

# pairs of spines in thorax None

Color Reddish brown, abdomen darker

Stinger Present, inflicts pain, leaves white pustule (pustule is not an allergic reaction)

 

Mound  

Material Formed from excavated soil

Size Wider than a dinner plate at its base

Shape Amorphous, often oval shaped like a mountain cone

Visibility Above ground, 4” to 24” tall

Entrance None visible, ants access mound through subterranean tunnels that spoke out from the central mound

Texture Has a fresh-tilled appearance, especially after a rain

 

Size variation in RIFA worker ants and queen on the right. Photo: S. Porter.

RIFA mounds have a fresh tilled appearance. Photo: Bart Drees.

Why is it a Threat?

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RIFA colonies are extremely destructive. They dominate their home ranges due to their large numbers and aggressiveness. The lack of natural enemies results in population booms in areas they invade.

RIFA alter the composition of the ecological communities in the areas they invade. They outcompete and frequently eliminate native fire ants. They also compete with other animals for food and alter abundance of prey species. RIFA attack eggs and young of many bird and reptile species. In areas of high infestation, RIFA have significantly reduced northern bobwhite quail populations (Allen et al. 1995) and may completely eliminate ground-nesting species from a given area (Vinson and Sorenson 1986). They also attack small mammals such as rodents and have been known to attack and sometimes kill newborn deer and cattle. Due to a 10-20 year lapse before bird population reductions are observed, it is suggested that actual effects of RIFA on animal populations may be underestimated (Mount 1981). Natural plant ecosystems could potentially be impacted as well. RIFA predates upon solitary bees that are pollinators of certain plants (Vinson 1997) and move and feed on large quantities of seeds.

Tricolor heron chick being attacked by fire ant workers. Photo: Bart Drees.

RIFA feeding on plant nectar. Photo: S. B. Vinson.

Stings from RIFA create health problems for many humans. Fire ants sting repeatedly and venom is injected from the poison sac with each sting. RIFA venom has a high concentration of toxins that cause an intense burning and itching that lasts for an hour and is followed by a blister that becomes a white pustule. Broken or scratched pustules can result in secondary bacterial infections and permanent scars. In some individuals, severe allergic reactions can occur resulting in anaphylactic shock and even death (Dowell et al. 1997).

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RIFA worker biting and stinging human. Photo: Texas Department of agriculture file photo.

Secondary infection following RIFA sting on hand. Photo: Texas Department of Agriculture file photo.

RIFA cost the US billions of dollars a year in damage to agricultural crops and equipment, livestock, wildlife, public health, and electrical equipment such as air conditioners, traffic signal boxes, electrical and utility units, telephone junctions, airport landing lights, electric pumps for oil and water wells, computers, and even car electrical systems. Control methods for RIFA are extremely costly.

Fire ant mound in electrical utility housing. Photo: S. B. Vinson.

RIFA in traffic control relay switch box. Photo: Bart Drees.

Distribution

RIFA are native to South America and were brought to the US sometime around the 1930's. They now occupy more than 275 million acres of land in the US and are found in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, South Carolina, North Carolina, Texas, Louisiana, Tennessee, New Mexico , Oklahoma, and California. They invade via transported nursery stock, honeybee colonies, and on empty trailers and trucks. Cold temperatures may limit the northward spread of RIFA in the US and the westward spread may be limited by drier conditions. Natural dispersal occurs on flowing water. Areas with seasonal flooding are vulnerable to RIFA invasion.

RIFA colony floating in flood water. Photo: Bart Drees.

RIFA colony emerging from flood water. Photo: Bart Drees.

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Habitat

In infested areas, colonies are common in lawns, gardens, school yards, parks, roadsides, and golf courses. Nests generally occur in sunny, open areas and are most common in disturbed and irrigated soil. RIFA mounds are 4 to 24 inches tall and have no visible surface entrance. Mounds are accessed through subterranean tunnels that spoke out from the central mound. Non-RIFA mounds rarely exceed an inch or 2 in height. RIFA mounds have a fresh-tilled appearance, especially after a rain.

Typical RIFA mound. Photo: USDA APHIS PPQ Archives, www.forestryimages.org .

Profile diagram of RIFA mound. Photo: Texas Cooperative Extension file photo.

History

RIFA are believed to have arrived in the southern United States around the 1930's on ships from South America as ballast waters were dumped or goods were unloaded. Their range expanded rapidly and today they occupy 13 US states and Puerto Rico .

What can be Done?

RIFA is a regulated species in Arizona. To keep RIFA out of Arizona, the Arizona Department of Agriculture has been conducting surveys at high-risk sites such as nurseries, parks, truck stops, etc. In 2004, all samples collected were negative for RIFA. The drier climate in Arizona is a limitation for this species, however, as we irrigate more lawns, agricultural fields, and golf courses, we increase our chances of a successful RIFA invasion. Once RIFA has established in an area, the chances of eradicating it are slim and control becomes the primary means of fighting its spread. It is vital that we prevent the spread of this species. RIFA very easily travel in potted plants and soil and in our vehicles. If RIFA is detected, citizens should contact the Arizona Department of Agriculture for confirmation and eradication. Eradication methods are complex due to the life cycle of the species and should be conducted by trained individuals.

Links

Arizona Department of Agriculture Red Imported Fire Ant Update

Invasivespecies.gov – a gateway to Federal efforts concerning invasive species

Texas Imported Fire Ant Research and Management Project

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University of Florida Red Imported Fire Ant Site

US Department of Agriculture APHIS Imported Fire Ant Information

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References

Allen, CR, Lutz RS, and Demarais S. 1995. Red imported fire ant impacts on northern bobwhite populations. Ecological Applications 5(3):632-638.

Dowell, RV, Gilbert, A, and Sorenson J. 1997. Red imported fire ant found in California . California Plant Pest and Disease Report 16(3-4) June-September: 50-55.

Mount RH. 1981. The red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) as a possible serious predator on some southeastern vertebrates: direct observations and subjective impressions. Journal fo the Alabama Academy of Science 52:71-78.

Vinson SB. 1997. Invasion of the Red Imported Fire Ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) Spread, Biology, and Impact. American Entomologist 43(1):23-29.

Vinson SB, Sorenson, AA. 1986. Imported Fire Ants: Life History and Impact. The Texas Department of Agriculture. P.O. Box 12847 , Austin , Texas 78711 .

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ARGENTINE CACTUS MOTH (CACTOBLASTIS CACTORUM)

The adult cactus moth is not distinctive; there are thousands of species of small brown moths. The egg sticks and larvae, however, are easy to recognize. Photo: Susan Ellis, USDA APHIS PPQ www.forestryimages.org

Prickly pear pad hollowed out by larvae of the Argentine cactus moth. Photo: Les Tanner, Northwest Weeds, www.forestryimages.org

What is it?

The Argentine Cactus Moth (aka Cactoblastis cactus moth) is a small (22-35 mm) grayish-brown moth. The larvae are 25-30 mm in length and bright orangish-red with large dark spots that form cross bands. In Florida there can be three generations in a year. The eggs are laid in a series of up to 140 that creates a chain, looking like a stick or spine on the surface of the prickly pear pad (cladode). Upon hatching the larvae burrow into the pad and begin feeding gregariously on the tissues. This feeding consumes the cladode completely and the larvae move to other ones before pupation.

The distinctive "egg stick". Photo: Susan Ellis, USDA APHIS PPQ www.forestryimages.org

Larvae inside a prickly pear pad. Photo: Susan Ellis, USDA APHIS PPQ www.forestryimages.org

Why is it a Threat?

As a natural feeder on prickly pears (Opuntia species) the caterpillars of this moth are capable of destroying plants and populations of these plants. Prickly pear cacti are popular in residential and commercial landscapes throughout the southwest US and Mexico . Additionally there is widespread and valuable commercial and traditional use of the plants in Mexico. Opuntia production of food for humans and livestock are the major uses. It is estimated between 2% of the value and production from agriculture in Mexico is from Opuntia.

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Top left: A field of prickly pears (Opuntia ficus-indica) being grown for nopales (edible pads) or tunas (edible fruits) near Hermosillo, Sonora. Top right and bottom left: Tunas for sale in Hermosillo market. Bottom right: Tunas prepared to eat. Photos: T.R. Van Devender

Widespread invasion by this moth could lead to extensive destruction of natural Opuntia populations that serve as food for wildlife such as deer, javelina, rodents, and coyotes. Birds use prickly pears as nesting sites.

Distribution

The moth is native in the South American countries of Argentina , Brazil , Paraguay and Uruguay.

It was introduced into Australia in 1926 as a control for the invasive spread of prickly pears that had been introduced as animal fodder. Introduction has occurred in African, Asian and island countries since then.

The arrival in Florida may have natural dispersion from the West Indies or on imported plants.

Habitat

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Suitable habitat in the U.S. has not been determined. It can live on many species of prickly pears, but it is not known whether it can tolerate the arid climate of the Southwest.

 

 

 

 

 

 

History

The moth is native to several South American countries. It was discovered in the Florida Keys in 1989 and has now spread north to South Carolina and east into Alabama

What can be Done?

Monitoring Opuntia in nurseries and home landscapes in the path of expansion of the range of Cactoblastis for evidence of infestation will be critical for early detection.

Research into control methods is being conducted, looking at chemical, biological and sterile insect techniques (SIT).

Control by available insecticides may be appropriate in nursery and small landscape settings, but not in widespread landscapes or agriculture.

Specific Biological Control agents (predators) have not been identified and study in the home range of the moth is continuing.

Sterile Insect Techniques is a process of releasing sterile males into a population, they breed with fertile females resulting in sterile eggs, thus fewer offspring.

Studies with this technique will take place in 2005.

If Cactoblastis can invade the Sonoran Desert, prickly pears will virtually disappear from the landscape. Photo: Mark Dimmitt

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The oozing wounds on this prickly pear pad are symptomatic of several species of cactus borers, not necessarily Cactoblastis. Photo: USDA

This saguaro seedling is infested by the native blue cactus borer (Cactobrosis fernaldialis). The larva of this moth is bluish in color and do not feed in colonial groups. This native rarely causes lethal damage to larger cacti. Photo: Mark Dimmitt

Links

National Invasive Species Council " invasive species of the month" for March 2005

University of Florida Featured Creatures: the cactus moth

European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization (EPPO)

References

Solis, M. Alma, Stephen D. Wright and Doria R. Gordon. 2004.

Tracking the Cactus Moth Cactoblastis cactorum Berg.as it flies and eats its way westward in the US .

News of the Lepidopterists' Society, Vol. 46 Number 1.

Soberon, J., J. Golubov, and J. Sarukhan , 2001.

The Importance of Opuntia in Mexico and Routes of Invasion and impact of Cactoblastis cactorum (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae).

Florida Entomologist 84 (4).

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4

Data Collection

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DATA COLLECTION PROCESS

GROUP PROJECT

Initially during training the project will be carried out in groups with ASDM staff supervising data collection. After these group outings, volunteers can choose to be part of a small group that works together to monitor specific sites.

For organized, small group outings, one volunteer will check out the resource kit from ASDM which will include a GPS unit, a digital camera, a handheld pc and other resources to aid with identification and data collection. Only one GPS, camera, and handheld pc is needed per group outing. One person from the small group will be in charge of uploading data files into the web-based data form after returning from the field. The data record will include the names of all participants in the small group.

INDIVIDUAL PROJECT

Volunteers may choose after initial training to work individually either at assigned sites or on personal hiking/camping/birding outings. Volunteers choosing this method should still have a companion with them in the field for safety reasons.

MONITORING SITES

The INVADERS Team at ASDM is putting together a network of local partners involved in invasive species prevention, monitoring, control, and eradication. Monitoring sites will be chosen based on recommendations and requests from these local partners. In some cases, this may be an agency or organization requesting help with surveys in previously unmonitored areas. For cactus moths, volunteers will monitor nurseries, gardens, and other areas as requested by the Arizona Department of Agriculture. Other sites may include areas that underwent eradication previously and the purpose of monitoring will be to determine eradication success. It is our goal to target areas that are most in need of monitoring.

We also encourage volunteers to collect data when out in the field on recreational outings. It is important that you be aware of the rules regarding public vs. private property and various agency requirements for data and specimen collection. These are outlined later on in this section of the handbook.

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SAFETY IN THE FIELD

Due to the field-oriented nature of the INVADERS Program, your work will present you with the inherent physical risks posed by walking in a natural environment and getting to field sites in Museum and/or personal vehicles. We recommend you follow these suggested safety precautions:

Do not walk where you cannot see your feet. Thick vegetation may hide venomous animals or uneven terrain from view.

If searching for species patches from a vehicle, always go in teams. Vehicle drivers should pay attention to the road, and passengers can look for target species.

When surveying on roadsides, pull vehicles far off the road, taking care to park on a firm surface. Be aware of passing traffic and stay clear of traffic lanes while collecting data.

Do not hike alone.

Carry a topographic map or trails map of areas in which you are hiking.

Inform someone not in your party of where you are going and when you plan to return.

Bring a cell phone (but be aware that many remote areas in our region are out of service range).

Bring sufficient water and sun protection.

If you have known allergies or other medical conditions that might require that you take medications in the field, bring your medications with you.

We will not ask you to perform a service that is beyond your comfort level, so please be direct if you are ever concerned about field conditions and the nature of our work on any outing.

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INVADERS PLANT DATA COLLECTION

Preparation for site visit

Prior to visiting your field site for data collection make sure you have good maps and directions for getting to your site. Do not forget to fill up your vehicle’s gas tank and bring extra water, particularly if you are traveling far from inhabited areas. If you plan on working far from trails and roads, you should also have topographic maps of your area with you. Make sure that you have permission to be in that area. If you are not sure if collecting data in a particular area is permissible, you can contact a member of the ASDM Invaders Team to verify or check into the status of that particular site.

Make sure that you let someone know where you will be going and when you expect to return. This is important to do even when you are with a group of people. You should always have a companion when working in the field.

Check the weather before you head to the field site. You should not work in adverse weather conditions such as thunder and lightning storms. Be aware of the danger of flash floods particularly if you are working in riparian areas, washes, or flood prone areas. While it may be sunny and clear where you are working, precipitation in higher elevations can produce flash floods that are swiftly carried down washes to areas away from the center of the storm.

Make sure you bring plenty of water, sunscreen, a hat, appropriate clothing and footwear, and a first aid kit. Many of you will be walking off trails and roads into desert areas so shorts and sandals are not recommended. If you have a cell phone, bring that with you. Keep in mind that you may be in remote areas where you are out of service range. This is why it is so important to let someone know where you are going and when you will be back. If you have known allergies or other medical conditions that might require that you take medications in the field, make sure you put those medications in your field pack.

Check your field equipment before you leave. Turn on your GPS units and cameras to make sure they are working properly and have good batteries in them. Bring extra batteries with you just in case. Make sure your pencils are sharpened and that you have sufficient blank data sheets for the number of areas you plan on visiting. Check that you have a sticky note pad, your field notebook, a working sharpie pen, a thermometer, the Invaders ID cards, and your Invaders handbook. If you feel that the handbook is too bulky for the field, make sure you bring the most important components with you: data protocols, datasheet definitions, GPS and camera instructions, and the information letter for curious landowners or others.

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When you arrive at your field area…

Once you have reached your destination, you will want to make sure that you bring all needed items with you in a pack, particularly if you are leaving your vehicle behind. Many unfortunate hikers and researchers carefully bring their cell phones, enough water, and notebooks only to leave them in the vehicle and then find themselves in need miles away. Make sure your vehicle is parked in a safe place – far enough from the road that it does not impede traffic and do not block roads, driveways, etc. After strapping on your backpack and locking your vehicle you are ready to enter the exciting world of scientific data collection.

Be aware of your surroundings. Venomous animals can be found throughout Arizona. Do not walk where you cannot see your feet. Thick vegetation can hide venomous animals or uneven terrain from view. Be comfortable with the area you are working in. If you are leaving roads and trails, make sure you have good maps, a compass, and feel confident with map navigation.

Where is your search site/route?

The first thing you need to know is where you are going. Will you be looking for invasive species along a trail or road, following a wash, searching a large area thoroughly? After you answer this question, you will be able to plan your approach to the site. If you will be working in the same area as other volunteers and will need to let them know what sections you have already searched, you should use your notebook to describe your route and add coordinates if possible. You will be able to post these notes online for other volunteers to see. If you will be covering whole parks or trails, you can put that information online as well. Make sure you keep track of which species you searched for. It will be important for others to know what species you did not find in a particular area.

You found an invasive species. Now what do you do?

When you reach a site with an invasive, non-native species you should do a visual survey of your surroundings by walking around the area to assess the extent of the infestation. After this initial assessment, you will decide whether the invasive species patch you are defining is a point, or polygon (a linear patch is a polygon).

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Point: Technically speaking, most patches are polygons unless you have a single plant. However, when your patch is less than about 5 meters wide, you will call it a point and take one set of GPS coordinates. The reason for this is that your GPS unit will be unable to define the outline of a polygon in a patch this small due to the accuracy limitations of the equipment.

Polygon: When the patch is a polygon of some shape larger than 5 meters wide or a linear polygon, you will designate the patch a polygon and take multiple sets of GPS coordinates to define the area.

There will be occasions where you are unable to walk around a patch of an invasive, non-native species due to steep terrain, dense vegetation, etc. In these cases, you will need to be innovative in the field providing coordinates as close to the patch as possible and create expanded notes describing the location, shape, and size of a patch. Your notes will be important additions to required data fields and should provide land managers and other interested parties with enough information to assist them with determining whether a return trip to that site is required for a more detailed survey.

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If you have questions, concerns, or suggestions related to data collection, we want to hear from you. Let us know what situations you come across in the field that we can address in our resource kit to make it more beneficial for volunteers, scientists and managers, or other institutions that want to implement this program in their local areas.

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Arizona Sonoran Desert MuseumPocket PC Units with Integrated GPS units

HGIS Version 8

Fundamentals

Turn unit on and off by pushing the power button once (on the key pad for Trimble units and on the top front of the Garmin unit).

Always SAVE data before turning the unit off. See instructions on saving data below.To recharge the unit you will need its power cord and a power source. The cord plugs into the bottom end of the unit. You can view current main and back-up battery levels by going to Start – Settings – Systems Tab (at bottom of screen)– Power Icon.

Programs

Your handheld unit is equipped with several programs that may be of use in the field.For mapping exotic plants you will use HGIS software in conjunction with an internal Global Positioning System (GPS) unit. These two programs will work together allowing you to record the exact locations of the exotic plants you find as well as delineate the exact area and densities of the infestations. During certain projects you may also make use of Word to take notes about an area or Excel to collect non-spatial data. All screens can be closed either by hitting the X or OK that will be in the top right corner.

How to begin mapping

Step 1: Turn on your handheld computer Take out your unit and turn it on.

Step 2: Open the HGIS CE8 mapping program On the start up screen, tap on START, this will open a drop down list of

programs. Choose Programs Then choose HGIS CE8 by tapping on the icon

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On the first screen chose HGIS_Pro_1 from the drop down Choose Start GPS Open GPS Port screen will appear. Here you should make sure that:

Down list = Serial NMEA Port = COM2 Baud = 4800 Drop

Step 3: Open background maps if available

If you are working on a project with a prepared set of background maps, click on File and then Open Project (When you first open HGIS, this dropdown is already showing on the screen). Choose your current project (e.g. FOBO_EPM, SAGU_TMD_EPM) from this screen. This file is a project file that will open all base maps (files) needed for orientation during mapping.

NOTE: If there are base files for your project and none of the above files appear, check that under the Open Project window:

Folder = All folders or templates Type = HGIS Project (HGS)

They should then appear.

Tap on desired project, HGIS screen with layers open will appear.

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(Example from Casa Grande).

In some cases, a project will not be set up for the area you will be working in. In that case, you can open a general background map by choosing Open Layer and then clicking on the map file for your area. If there are no map files for the area you are working in, you can still collect data. You will not be able to see a background map, but the GPS unit will still tell the handheld computer where the invasive species patches are. The data you collect will then be mapped on a topographic map after you upload your files into the ASDM web site.

To clarify, you can still collect data even if you do not have a background map visible

on your handheld screen. As you map invasive species patches, you will see your

points and polygons show up on your white screen.

Now you are ready to begin mapping! Your GPS unit is turned on and the mapping software is open. It may take a few minutes for your GPS unit to acquire satellites; you will know when it is ready when an X appears on your screen. A warning screen will also advise you if there are too few satellites. If you are having trouble getting a fix on your location, move away from buildings or other structures. Move to higher ground if you are not getting a fix in a canyon.

How to open and close background maps:

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Depending on where you are working, different files may now be open on the unit screen that show boundaries, roads, trails or water features. Additional files may be open that show grid squares, grid centre points or rectangles that represent sample locations if those have been set up for your current project. These files can be closed and re-opened if you would like to customize the background on your screen.

To open layer files with project open- Go to File → Layer → Open Layer → Select desired files from list- Only one file can be opened at a time, so you must repeat as

necessary.To close layer files with project open

- Go to File → Layer → Close Layer → Select desired files from list- Only one file can be closed at a time, so you must repeat as

necessary.To open layer files without project open

- Go to File → Open Layer → Select desired files from list- Only one file can be opened at a time, so you must repeat as

necessary.To close layer files without project open

- Go to File → Layer → Close Layer → Select desired files from list- Only one file can be closed at a time, so you must repeat as

necessary.

Step 4: Create new layer files for each day of work.

Two files should be created for each field day; one for any point data you will collect and one for polygon data. The naming convention for these files is as follows

Your initials, Date (MMDDYY format), park name or area name, point (pt) or polygon (py)

Example: SS031006CAGRpt or SS031006IRONWOODpy

Special templates have been loaded onto your unit for use when mapping exotic plants. When you are ready to create your field files described above you will use this template.

If you have a project open: Go to File → Layer → New from Template

If you do not have a project open: Go to File → New from Template

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Select the template named Exotics_2006_ASDM – this file contains all of the data fields you will need for the INVADERS program Type in file name as described above (e.g. SS031006CAGRpt) Select the icon that corresponds to the file type (point or poly) Hit OK Repeat these steps for second file, either point or poly, whichever has not yet been created. You will now go to File → Layer → New from Template whether you opened a project initially or not. Then you can select the Exotics_2006_ASDM template and create your file name and type. Hit OK

Step 5: Mapping set-up.

When you encounter the first invasive species to be mapped you need to make sure you are entering your data into the correct file. This means you have to be in edit mode in the point or polygon file depending on whether you need to record a single plant or a large infested area. To see which file you currently have open, go to

Map → Layer Properties This screen will show all layers (files) that you have open Click next to edit under the appropriate file you wish to add data to (point or

poly). This will cause a check to appear next to edit for that layer. Only one file can be edited at a time.

Close this screen. You will need to go back and forth between your point and polygon files as you

collect data in the field.

Step 6: Create Points and Polygons and record data.

Mapping criteria

Q1). When should you draw a point verses a polygon?

Points should be used for individual plants or patches that are 5m across or less. The GPS units are only accurate to this level. If you encounter an area less than 5m across with 2 or 3 species present, record one point for each species. Anything larger should be recorded as a polygon. The template makes it possible to record up to five species for each polygon described.

Q2). What should I do if there are more than five species in one polygon area?

If you encounter more than five species in an area you need to create a new polygon for those extra species. This may mean you have a polygon with only

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one species in it, or as many as five or more. In this case you may find that the polygons are different shapes and sizes as the species distribution could be quite different.

Q3). What else is there to consider, if possible, when mapping an area?

If possible be aware of natural breaks in the landscape such as similar plant communities, similar aspect, or slope. Try to delineate roads, pathways, trails, or disturbed areas from construction, fire or grazing, i.e. map around these things using one polygon. But the primary goal is to describe the infested area as precisely as possible (which will often cross natural breaks or be smaller than the continuous similar area).

NOTE: It is not possible to record a point at the same time as drawing a polygon. If you encounter a single plant when traversing a polygon take note of its location either on paper or mentally and return to it after you have finished the polygon, to make a point. NOTE: When drawing polygons it is important to not double back on yourself and to avoid criss-crossing the lines you have already drawn, as this confuses the spatial area.

Recording a point. Remember a point is a single plant or a an invasive species patch that is smaller than 5m wide.

Go to Map → Layer Properties Check the box next to the appropriate file you wish to add data to (point)

Now you are ready to record data. To begin, go to the drop down list located in the top right corner of the screen (tools menu). It is the box that says OFF before you choose a tool. When you click on OFF, you will see the drop down list of tools.

o From this tool menu list in upper right corner, choose GPS draw. A new row of icons will appear at the top of your screen

o To record a point location hit the Star symbol. This will automatically record your current location and a point will occur on your screen. Make sure you are standing at the location of the invasive plant before you mark your point.

o The first point you make will prompt the system to begin Auto numbering.

o Hit OK. o Once the point is made, hit OFF in the tools menu.o Go back to the tool drop down and choose SELECTOne

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o Double tap on the point just recorded o The template for the point will come up allowing you to enter data

on the species in question. For a single plant (point location) you need only enter a name under Species1, no cover class is necessary. Hit the arrow to the right of the Species1 box. Choose a species. Scroll down to access other fields to be filled out using drop down lists; slope, aspect, meters to road/water, water type, disturbance, extent, and surveyor name. (See details below on filling in data fields)

o NOTE: For fields where you need to type in words you will need to bring up the keyboard. Do this by tapping the “keyboard” tab at the top of your screen. Close it by tapping it again

o Close this window using the X in the top right corner.

Continue to make as many points as necessary in this manner.

NOTE: If you try to put a point into a polygon file (or vice versa), a warning message will appear asking you if you want to continue; say no. Go back to Map – Layer properties, and make sure you have the correct file in

edit mode.

Recording a polygon. Remember a polygon is an invasive species patch larger than 5 m wide.

If you are describing an area infested with one or many exotic species Go to Map → Layer Properties Check the box next to the appropriate file you wish to add data to (poly) Hit OK From the right hand drop down tool menu choose GPS draw. Choose the green filled polygon shape, labeled Bound. The first polygon you make will prompt the system to begin Auto numbering. Hit OK. You are now ready to begin walking around the area you wish to describe. (When you are actively drawing an area you will see a rectangular bar rotating next to the green filled polygon shape). Try to return back to where you began your polygon without overlapping your lines. When finished Hit OFF. After drawing the polygon, you should go back and walk through the entire polygon to as accurately as possible

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estimate the plant cover. Go back to the drop down tool menu and choose SELECT Double click on the edge of or within the polygon you just created. The template for the polygon will come up allowing you to enter data on the

invasive species in the polygon. You can record up to five species per polygon. For each species, an associated cover class is recorded, representing the density of each species in the area. (<1%, 1-5%, 5-25%, 26-50% etc). Scroll down to access other fields to be filled out using drop down lists; slope, aspect, meters to road/water, water type, disturbance, extent, and surveyor name. (See details below on filling in data fields)

NOTE: For fields where you need to type in words you will need to bring up the keyboard. Do this by tapping the “keyboard” tab at the top of your screen. Close it by tapping it again. Close this window using the X in the top right corner.

NOTE: If you try to put a point into a polygon file (or vice versa), a warning message will appear asking you if you want to continue; say no. Go back to Map – Layer properties, and make sure you have the correct file in

edit mode.

DATA FIELDS IN THE TEMPLATE

1. Auto ID: This field will automatically be filled in. HGIS will number your points and polygons as you create them.

2. Longitude and Latitude: These fields will also automatically be filled in. The internal GPS unit automatically records a longitude and latitude for the point you created. For polygons, you will also see a longitude and latitude in these fields even though the locational data for your polygon is based on more than one coordinate.

3. Altitude: This field will already be filled in. The GPS unit automatically records an elevation in this field.

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4. Area Acres: This field will also be filled in automatically. In point records, it will read 0.000 since a point does not have an area. For polygons, the program automatically generates a size for your invasive species patch.

5. Distance_meters: An automatic calculation of perimeter distance shows up in this field if the feature is a polygon. For a point, it will read 0.000.

6. GPS Date/Time: These fields are also automatically filled in with a date and time that the internal GPS unit reads from satellites.

7. Species1-5: For each point you create, you should record only one species. If you have more than one species at the same location, you should create a separate point for each species. You will notice that in your point file, it gives you the option of recording more than one species. That is because you use the same template to create each type of file. You should still only record one species per point. You may record up to 5 species for each polygon. If there are more than 5 species, then you should create another polygon in the same location to record data on the extra species. Use the drop down list to find the species. All species names are scientific names. Please bring along species lists to help you identify the correct scientific name.

8. Percent Cover: You will be assigning a percent cover measurement to each

species in a polygon. Remember that for a point, there is no area, so you will not use a percent cover. For points, leave this field blank. For polygons, percent cover is based on the total amount of cover the invasive species canopy occupies in a patch. Canopy cover is determined by the total amount of ground covered by invasive species vegetation in the patch when examining the patch from an aerial view. Data categories are: <1%, 1-5%, 5-25%, 26-50%, 51-75%, 76-95%, 96-100%.

9. Notes: Use this field for any notes you need to take in the field. If possible, put all notes related to that particular record in this note field. Since it can be cumbersome to use the handheld keyboard for lengthy notes, you may want to carry along a notebook to record notes in. Be sure to write down the auto id number for each point and polygon you create notes for. When you upload your data, you will have the opportunity to attach more notes to your file. When you enter these notes in the computer, write the auto id number and designate point or polygon next to the appropriate note so that they can be matched with the correct species record.

10.Slope: Use the drop down menu to choose a slope category (Flat, Gentle, Moderate, Steep, Cliff).

11.Aspect: Choose the direction your slope faces from the drop down list. You only need to record aspect if you are on a hillside. While even gentle sloping

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areas have an aspect, we are primarily interested in verifying that the GPS coordinates show up on the correct side of a hill.

12.Distance to water – distance to road: Estimate the number of meters your site is from the nearest water and road. You should choose the nearest edge of your invasive species patch when determining distance to water and road. You may need to clarify your information in the Notes field. If you are nowhere near water or roads, you can leave this field blank and mention it in your notes.

13.Vegetation types/ Water/Riparian Types/ Landform/Disturbance: These four fields are for describing the ecosystem in which you are working. Choose a type in the drop down menu in each of these fields based on the definitions in your Invaders handbook.

14.Extent: In this field you will be choosing isolated, localized, extensive, or overrunning. These categories are defined on the back of your datasheet. These qualifiers should describe the overall infestation. Look across the landscape beyond the main part of the invasive patch to determine the extent of area the invasive species is occupying.

15.Your Name: Record your name in this box. After you have typed it once, it will appear in the drop down menu.

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16.Soil Crust: If soil crusts are present at your point or polygon, you can choose yes or you may type in a percent of the soil covered by these biological crusts. If no soil crusts are present, choose no from the drop down menu.

When you have completed all data fields, close the data entry window by touching the X in the top right corner.

Step 7: Saving data.It isn’t necessary to save your data after every point or polygon recorded but it should be done every hour or so to prevent data loss should the battery fail.

To save data go to Layer → Save Layer → highlight the file you wish to save. Select the following

Folder = None, Type = Map: SHP + SHX + DBF, Location = Storage Card

Hit OK You must select what datum to store the file in Chose UTM, Zone 12 and from drop down select World WGS84 Repeat this for the other layer (point or poly) if appropriate.

General Saving : Back-up to the removable memory card .

When collecting a lot of data it is important to periodically save to the flash memory. This will prevent data loss in the event of battery failure or damage to the unit. To do this tap: START/ Programs/ Sprite Backup. It takes less than a minute to finish and will return you to the programs screen automatically.

If you ever experience a hard reset on the unit you can restore your data from your last backup by tapping: START/programs/ sprite backup/restore nowIt will prompt you for permission to do a soft reset once complete.

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General Digital Camera Instructions

You may use your own personal camera or the cameras provided in the ASDM Invaders field kit. For specific instructions on the cameras provided in those kits, see those sections.

Digital images will be used to document your species observations. These photos will be stored in the database along with the text and location data to allow a species expert to verify your submission.

Before you leaveEnsure the camera memory card is blank. This will help prevent confusion about the invasive species data to which this set of pictures belongs. You should also have a fresh or fully charged set of batteries.

In the Field

You will need to take species photos when using your handheld PCs to verify your data records. To make sure that the correct species are associated with the corresponding photo, you will need to write notes in your field notebook. It will be critical to enter your data as soon as possible after returning from the field so that your notes are still fresh in your mind.

Species photos: Since you will be working with a large number of species, these photos are crucial. Keep in mind our procedures for taking species photos including using proper photography techniques (macro mode, proper background, lighting issues, etc. – See more information on camera use in the equipment section) and photographing the part of the plant that will best facilitate identification by our experts. You will also now be taking multiple photos for each point and polygon if there are multiple species recorded in it.

Use the back of your notebook to photograph the plant part and the point or polygon number with the letter a, b, c, d, or e corresponding with the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th species in that point or polygon (ex: PY1-A, PY1-B, etc.).

In your notebook, write the photo number and letter followed by the name of the species you believe it is. You will need this when you upload your photos during data entry.

If you feel that the photograph alone will not be enough to identify that particular species, you should collect a specimen in a plastic bag (remember our rules for transporting invasive species) and label the bag with the point or polygon number and letter, the species name, your name, the park name, and the date.

When you download your photos, you should rename the species photos to help you in the upload process (ex: PY5B_brassica_tournefortii.jpg). If you go to multiple parks in one day or have multiple park pictures on the same camera card, you should use the naming scheme: Ironwood_species_PY5B_brassica_tournefortii.jpg).

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Photo Tips

Ideally the sun will be at your back, but this may wash out the LCD screen on the camera if your camera has one. In this case you may want to use the viewfinder instead. Turning off the LCD screen will also extend battery life

When taking a close-up picture for species id, use the back of the clipboard as a solid background. Do not use a white or black background to ensure better definition. Write the record number on a sticky note or attached white board. It is essential that you can associate the image with the correct plot when you are ready to enter your data on the computer. It is unwise to rely solely on the camera’s automatically assigned image name. The record number will aid in tying the image to your data collection sheets.

Overview of abundance Close up of Species

If your close-up shot is less than ~40cm from the item you should use the Macro mode.

Don't use the digital zoom feature; it degrades image quality.

Getting the pictures off the camera

When you return from the field and are ready to enter your data, you will first need be able to browse to your pictures with “My Computer”, “Windows Explorer” or the “Finder”

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Method 1Connect the camera via a built in USB port to the computer.

When they are connected and you turn on the camera, your computer will recognize it as another drive and allow you to view the pictures.Note: this uses the camera’s batteries, so be sure to turn the camera off when not in use.

Method 2Take the card out of the camera an insert it into the card reader.The reader plugs into a USB port on your computer. If your computer is Windows 2000 or XP, or Mac OS X, the reader will be automatically recognized and show up as another drive.For Windows 98 or ME, or Mac 9.x, you may need software that is available from ASDM.

An image file will have a default name of “IMGP00xx.JPG”If you have taken more than the required number of photos, you should select the best ones prior to going on-line so the data entry process is not interrupted.

You should enter your data into the database as soon as possible after your field visit, while the information is fresh in your mind. The image filename will be renamed to link it to your specific survey information during the upload process.

Once you have entered your data and uploaded the pictures, be sure to reformat the card in preparation for the next user or field survey.

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SPECIES VERIFICATION METHODOLOGY

Photos: You will need to take at least one and sometimes more photos at each invasive species patch. These photos will allow an expert to verify your species record. Sometimes one photo will be sufficient to identify a plant and other times you may have to take a close up of an inflorescence as well as an overall plant photo. When you have advanced to the EXPERT level for a particular species, you will no longer need to include an identification photo for that species.

See the section on “Using the digital camera in the field” for specific information on photo protocols and tips.

Specimen Collection: In some cases, it might be beneficial for you to collect a specimen of the invasive plant. If a photo does not correctly represent the species or if the plant lacks easily identifiable characteristics such as reproductive structures or seeds, you should collect a specimen to bring back to ASDM for verification of species. There are some specific rules and protocols for collecting invasive species specimens.

1. Be aware of where you are collecting. On some lands, it may not be legalfor you to collect plant specimens without a permit. See the section on private and public land research issues to learn more.

2. Always use a ziplock bag or tie off a larger bag when collecting specimens.We do not want to spread the seeds of invasives during our collection efforts.Carrying loose material across landscapes, in your vehicles, at your homes, or at ASDM will allow them to spread more quickly.

3. Bags should be labeled with the date, your name, the site name and gps coordinates or the auto id number and point or polygon designation. Also put the name of the suspected species on the bag.

WHEN YOUR FIELD DAY IS COMPLETE

At the end of your data collection trip: Make sure your data are saved and turn off your cameras, handheld computers, and

GPS units to save batteries. Store them in a safe place in your vehicle to protect them from damage.

Before leaving the site, make sure to clean your socks and boots to make sure that you are not transporting invasive plant seeds with you. This is something you should do between sites as well.

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Return the equipment and Resource Kit to ASDM and enter your data as soon as possible. It is important to enter data promptly after field work in order to remember details that will help you associate photos with corresponding data records.

Congratulations! You have collected scientific data and entered it into our database. Your efforts as a citizen scientist will go a long way towards assisting managers and scientists with the fight to “Stop the Spread” of invasive species in the Sonoran Desert Region.

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INVADERS DEFINITIONS

VEGETATION TYPES

Chihuahuan Desert: Shrubby desert in southeastern AZ with no saguaros or palo verdes (or any trees at all except in arroyos).

Mohave Desert: Shrubby desert in northwestern AZ with no saguaros or palo verdes. Devoid of trees except for Joshua trees above 3000 feet. Below 3000 feet it is very difficult to distinguish Mohave Desert from Lower Colorado River Valley Sonoran Desert.

Arizona Upland Sonoran Desert: Rocky mountains and narrow valleys with saguaros and foothill palo verdes growing on slopes.

Lower Colorado River Valley Sonoran Desert: Broad valleys and widely-spaced mountains. Palo verdes and other trees grow only along drainages. Saguaros are mostly on valley floors and lower bajadas, or may be absent.

Chaparral: Hilly terrain covered with impenetrable layer of shrubs (open after fires). Interior chaparral is mostly shrub live oak and manzanita.

Coniferous forest: Conifers (pines, firs, spruce, etc.) are the dominant trees.

Oak Woodland: Open parklike landscape (tree canopies do not overlap). Land between oak trees may be mostly grasses or shrubs.

Oak-pine woodland: Mixture of pines and oaks. In woodland tree canopies do not overlap (there are sunny gaps between trees). If most trees are conifers and canopy is nearly continuous, call it coniferous forest.

Grassland: Flat to rolling terrain dominated by grasses. There may be a fair number of shrubs, yuccas, and chollas present (desert grassland). If there are more than a few oak trees per acre, call it oak woodland.

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DEFINITIONS CONTINUED:

WATER/RIPARIAN TYPES

Marsh-oasis: Perennially wet lowland or palm canyon with water-loving plants.

Lake/reservoir: Natural or artificial body of permanent water.

Temporary water: Dries up part of the year, e.g., stock ponds filled by runoff, roadside ditches.

Stream/river: Permanent or nearly-permanent flowing water (could be just below the surface). Spring: A small area where water is at the surface, permanent or seasonal. A larger and permanent area of open water is an oasis or marsh.

LANDFORM

Ridgetop or mesa: A ridgetop is a narrow, linear mountaintop that falls off steeply on both sides. A mesa (table) is a wide flat area on a summit.

Rocky slope: A steep hillside of exposed bedrock.

Rocky slope with cliff: Same but with a nearly vertical slope.

Rocky slope with talus: Talus is a layer of loose, unstable rock on a very steep slope.

Canyon: A steep-sided narrow cleft in the mountains. There may or may not be a stream at the bottom.

Upper bajada: The upper portion of the outwash (alluvial) slope just below the bedrock mountain slopes. An upper bajada has a distinct slope and the surface is usually rocky.

Lower bajada: The lower outwash slope between the upper bajada and valley floor. The slope of a lower bajada is gentle to barely detectable, and the surface is usually gravelly or silty.

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Definitions continued:

LANDFORM CONT’D:

Valley floor: Valley floors appear virtually flat and level to the eye. Rocky or gravelly: Uncommon unless covered by a lava flow.Sandy or silty: Fine-textured soils.Floodplain: The first terrace above the stream channel that is flooded during

heavy streamflow times. Often support bosques of mesquites or saltcedars and dense shrubs. Riparian trees may grow near the modern stream channel

or along old, cutoff channels.

Wash: A linear feature on bajadas or valley floors that carries water for brief periods following heavy rains.

Shallow or no banks: Shallow sloping sides less than six feet tall, easy to climb out of. Washes with no banks (no obvious channel) can be difficult to discern except for a ribbon of denser or taller trees; best seen from above. No-bank washes merge into sheet-flood areas near valley floors; distinguished by a broad band of desert trees without clear outer boundaries.Deep/steep banks: Steep sides more than six feet tall, difficult to climb out of.

Sand dunes or flats: Loose sand that can blow around in the wind. Dunes are obvious and are nearly devoid of vegetation. Sand flats may have fairly dense vegetation that impedes blowing sand.

DISTURBANCE

Recent fire: Revealed by sparse vegetation and evident charcoal.

Flood: Indicated by flattened and/or torn out vegetation; scouring of ground after severe floods.

Cleared: Bulldozed or plowed; no mature woody vegetation.

Urbanized: aka Asphalt Scrub

Roadside: The area between the edge of the pavement and the limit of regular maintenance, which is usually the right-of-way fence. Includes medians of divided highways.

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SLOPE

Flat: Level or barely detectable slope.

Gentle: Slope apparent to eye, but little sensation of whether walking uphill or downhill.

Moderate: Definite slope; can tell if you ’re walking uphill or downhill, but not difficult to walk.

Steep: Difficult to walk even short distance up or down.

Cliff: Nearly vertical slope that most people would not try to climb.

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DEFINITIONS CONTINUED:

PATCH TYPE

Point: A point can be a true point with one or a few plants, but it will also be used for polygon patches that are less than 5m wide and not linear in nature. The general shape (i.e. square, circle, oval, rectangle, etc.) and size should be given if point is the chosen patch type.

Line: A linear patch of invasives that is <5m wide will be considered a line. A line need not be straight, but can follow along meandering roads, trails, or washes. The width of the linear patch on average should be given when line is chosen as the patch type.

Polygon: Except for a single plant, technically all patches will be polygons. For purposes of these invasive species protocols, a polygon will be any patch larger than 5m wide of any shape. When a patch is designated as a polygon, the general shape of the patch should be given on the data sheet.

EXTENT

Isolated: No other specimens visible beyond plot.

Localized: Other specimens or few patches beyond plot.

Extensive: Many more plants/patches visible, but not dominating landscape.

Overrunning: Weed is abundant/dominant over widespread area.

PERCENT COVER

Percent cover is the estimated amount of ground covered by the vegetation of the targeted species when viewing the patch from an aerial position.

Categories are: <1%, 1-5%, 5-25%, 26-50%, 51-75%, 76-95%, 96-100%.

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PUBLIC AND PRIVATE LAND ISSUES

The goal of the Invaders of the Sonoran Desert Region Program is to have many eyes and ears detecting and reporting invaders in as many places as possible. However, we have to be mindful of both public land rules and regulations and the rights of private landowners.

Public Land

Some agencies do have very strict rules concerning collection of data and specimens and require permissions. The National Park Service requires permission for these activities and we are working with local parks to create partnerships for this program. Arizona State Trust Land, Arizona State Parks, and USFWS Refuges are examples of other lands subject to permits as well. The ASDM Invaders Team is working with local, state, and federal agencies to forge these partnerships for this Program. When in doubt about the public ownership of a property you plan to survey or the rules of that particular agency, contact a member of the Invaders Team for more information.

Private Land

It is important that we respect the rights of private landowners and do not trespass on their land without their specific permission. Keep in mind that Public Rights of Ways (ROW) like roads are not considered private land. Many of your surveys will be along these ROWs. This handbook includes a letter that you can present to landowners or the public should you receive inquiries while doing your fieldwork. This letter expresses assurance that our research project will not be conducted on their private property without their express permission and summarizes the goals and purpose of the Invaders of the Sonoran Desert Region Program.

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Invaders of the Sonoran Desert Region

January, 2007

To Whom It May Concern,

The holder of this letter is a volunteer citizen scientist working on behalf of the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum’s Invaders of the Sonoran Desert Region program. He/she is helping to track the distribution of invasive species of plants and animals in our region. Invasive species are organisms that are non-native to the ecosystem in consideration and cause or are likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health.

The volunteers have been trained in identification and field techniques and have been provided with a set of equipment to collect data on particular species’ locations and abundance and the environmental conditions in which they are found. They are monitoring areas designated by the Invaders Program and using protocols that will help paint a picture of invasive species spread in both urban and wild land areas.

Once volunteers have completed field surveys, their data will be uploaded to a web-based database and made available to resource management entities and the general public. Their investigations are part of a national effort to map target invasive species and assist land managers in their control and eradication. You can find out more at www.desertmuseum.org/invaders. Feel free to contact the Invaders program coordinators listed below if you have further questions.

Thank you,

The Invaders Program Team

Tani HubbardInvaders Program ManagerArizona-Sonora Desert Museum2021 N. Kinney Rd. Tucson, AZ 85743(520) 883-1380 ext. 133thubbard@desertmuseum.org

Yajaira GrayInvaders Program Volunteer CoordinatorArizona-Sonora Desert Museum2021 N. Kinney Rd. Tucson, AZ 85743(520) 883-ygray@desertmuseum.org

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RED IMPORTED FIRE ANTDATA COLLECTION PROTOCOL

Where is your site?

We will be sending you out to specific locations to collect data per requests from the Arizona Department of Agriculture. These locations will likely be plant nurseries and public gardens, but may also include truck stops, parking lots, warehouse sites, golf courses, and parks.

Red imported fire ants require a permanent water supply and shelter from extreme temperatures. When you are surveying a site, extra care should be taken to survey an entire area, especially around asphalt roads and cement pads, pallets, bricks, mulch and edges of plastic tarps, or weed barriers. The ASDM Invaders Team will provide extra on-site training when we begin doing these surveys.

When will we be surveying?

Red imported fire ants can be surveyed from spring through fall. They are only inactive in the colder winter months. We will be alerting all volunteers when we begin these surveys and those interested will be provided an additional training prior to commencing surveys.

What do I need to bring to the field?

We will put together field kit materials for these surveys that will include empty film containers with lids, bait (bags of potato chips), surveyor flags, name and sample labels, plastic bags, clipboards, sharpies, paper, pens and pencils, and ice chests for samples.

Working in Groups

When you are sent out to survey a site, you will work in groups of at least 4 to be able to complete the survey in a timely manner.

Data Collection

Sites should be surveyed prior to the temperature reaching 100º F. During summer months, surveys should begin by 6 am in order to complete the task in time.

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1. One person on the team will be assigned the task of supervising the project and laying out the general grid for the others to place flags and bait and collect samples. This team leader will also be responsible for setting up the labeling scheme for the sites and will work with other members of the team to assure that samples are labeled properly. Upon arriving at a survey site, the team leader should make contact with site personnel (i.e. nursery managers, property owners, etc.) to coordinate the activities.

2. Once it has been determined how the site will be laid out, flags should be placed in the ground no less than 20 ft apart in a grid across the site (flags can lay on the ground sticking out of a film container if the ground is too hard).

3. Place a film container, with the lid removed, at each flag. Each film container should have bait (potato chips) inside and be laid on its side for easy ant entry.

4. Wait approximately ½ to 1 hour after placing all bait stations. If you wait too long, ants often feed and then disappear, especially if it gets hot out. It is best to start collecting sooner, rather than later, but if still cool, wait until it warms up and ants begin foraging.

5. Remove bait containers, bait, and flags where no ants are found.

6. When ants are found in the bait containers, collect the ants by placing a cap on the container. Place a label with the sample number written in sharpie pen on all sample containers. Place all samples in plastic sealable bags and put them in the ice chest. Multiple samples can be placed in the same bags. Make sure that container lids are secure and will not come off during transport.

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7. Before leaving the field site, ensure that all flags, bait, containers, and any other materials are removed from the area. Be respectful of the needs and concerns of the site manager or owner.

8. Bring all samples back to ASDM and put in a refrigerator or freezer. If you cannot go back to ASDM that day, you may put them in your refrigerator or freezer at home and bring them to ASDM at your earliest convenience.

What happens to the samples now?

Robin Kropp and Tani Hubbard will be providing the initial screening of the ant samples at ASDM using microscopes. When they find samples they believe may be red imported fire ants, those samples will be packaged, labeled, and mailed to the Arizona Department of Agriculture for a taxonomist to verify. If red imported fire ants are verified, the Department of Agriculture will revisit that site to determine the extent of the infestation and then will apply control measures to eradicate the animals from the site. So far, the Arizona Department of Agriculture has been 100% successful at eradicating all red imported fire ant infestations in the State of Arizona. As an Invaders volunteer you will be assisting them with keeping a perfect record.

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ARGENTINE CACTUS MOTHSURVEY PROTOCOL

TRAP SET UP

1. One wing-trap will be set up at each site (nursery). Wing-traps will either hang from a tree near prickly pear plants or will sit on top of a pole when a tree is not available. We will choose sites together at each nursery.

2. At each site, complete the top section of the data sheet designated for that location. This includes the name of the nursery or garden, the contact person and telephone number, the date the trap was first installed, the temperature, the humidity, the name of the citizen scientist setting up the trap and the GPS coordinates.

3. Fill out the Site note sheet on the inside of the Site Folder. Take photos of the trap and its location.

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4. If the nursery or garden has a thermometer and hygrometer in an accessible location, you may use that information for the data sheet. Otherwise, you may just take the temperature with an ASDM or your own thermometer.

5. Set up a wing-trap and record the site name and date on the sticky plate. Attach the trap to the tree or pole. Attach the pheromone lure with a pushpin into the trap. Do not touch the lure with your fingers. Make sure the lure is all the way on the pushpin. Check that the trap is secure.

TRAP MONITORING (MAKE SURE YOU BRING A THERMOMETER, NEW STICKY TRAPS, FRESH LURES, AND THE SITE FOLDER)

1. When you arrive at a site for monitoring, first announce your arrival to the site contact person or to whoever is in charge that day. Let them know how long you will be there and what you are doing if you have not met that person before.

2. Remove the sticky part of the wing-trap, fold over, and secure with a rubber band. Attach a new sticky plate with the site name and date written on it. Remove the old pheromone lure and replace it with a fresh one. Do not touch the lure with your fingers. Hang the trap back up or place it back on the pole. Make sure the trap is secure.

3. If any other part of the trap needs replacing or there are any other problems, contact Robin or Tani.

4. Complete cactus moth data sheet including monitoring date and time, temperature and humidity, your name, and any notes. Check off the boxes under lure changed and trap collected when you have completed that. For each site visit, you will be filling out one full row on the data sheet.

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5. Return all traps and site folders to the Desert Museum. Make sure that all traps collected are labeled properly and folded and secured so that they don’t get crushed. Traps should be placed in the designated refrigerator or freezer.

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Invaders of the Sonoran Desert RegionEarly Detection and Reporting Data Sheet

Cactus Moth

Site Name:______________________________ Site Contact: _________________________ Phone: _________________

Setup Date: _______________ Temperature: ______ Humidity: ______ Setup Researcher Name(s): ___________________

GPS coord: Lat-N ______ ° _______min ________ sec Long-W ______ ° _______min ________ sec

DATE Time Temp. HumidityLureChanged

TrapCollected/Replaced

NOTESMonitoring

Researcher(s)Name

Lure Trap Researcher(s)

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DATE Time Temp. Humidity Changed Collected/Replaced

NOTES Name

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Data Entry Guide

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DATA ENTRY PROTOCOL

Download Files from your Handheld PC

When you plug the PDA into a USB port, you will be prompted to set up a partnership. Select “Guest Partnership” then click on Next

Click Explore to open a File management window. Then copy your files from Mobile Device to your hard drive (in the library, this will be “c:\invaders\gis\your name”). INVADERS volunteers working on this project will each have a folder with their name on it. You will save your files in your own folder.

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Download Photos from your Camera

Plug your camera into your computer and download your images as you have done before. Save your images on the hard drive (in the library, this will be “c:\invaders\gis\your name”). INVADERS volunteers working on this project will each have a folder with their name on it. You will save your files in your own folder.

You should rename your photos to help you in the data submission process. Photos could use the designation: PY5B_brassica_tournefortii.jpg. If you go to multiple parks in one day or have multiple park pictures on the same camera card, you could use the naming scheme: Ironwood_PY5B_brassica_tournefortii.jpg. If you take multiple photos you can use numbers (ex: PY5B_brassica_tournefortii_1.jpg; PY5B_brassica_tournefortii_2.jpg; etc.). Remember that you may have up to 5 species per polygon so it is important to designate which species record you are referring to (i.e. PY5A, PY5B, PY5C, etc.).

You may use your own naming scheme as long as it is clear what point or polygon the photo belongs to, and a species name. These will all help you tremendously when you are uploading many photos in the data entry process.

Upload Files

1. Log in to the INVADERS web site.

2. Choose “Submit New Handheld PC Data.” This will bring you to the page titled, “Handheld PC Data Submission.”

3. Your name should show at the top of the general information box. Put your field notes in the Survey Notes box and fill in the location field. It is very important that you do not leave the location field blank. This field is crucial for the transfer of data to our partners.

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4. In the Survey File Upload box, choose Poly or Point. You will upload your three files associated with the point or polygon file you created in the field (dbf, shp, shx). Browse to those files to add them in.

5. After you have verified that you have put the correct data files, click on CONTINUE to go to the Photo upload page.

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Photo Files

1. You should now see the web page with the title, “Handheld PC Data Submission – Page 2.” The details from page one should be listed there along with an ID # assigned to the point or poly files you uploaded.

2. Now you will add identification photos that go with the point or polygon file you just uploaded on page one. You will be entering many photos with each point or polygon file since there are multiple points and polygons within those files. You will be using your notes again to make sure that all of the photo files are uploaded. This is where renaming photos when you download them from your camera is very important.

For each photo, enter the point or polygon ID # of the photo you are entering. Select a species. Click UPLOAD PHOTO once you are sure that you entered the correct information.

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Now you should be on Page 3 of your submission and the photo file you just uploaded is listed in the”Submitted Photo Details” box at the top of the page.

Now you have the option of uploading more handheld PC files or adding another photo below. You should add all of the photos associated with the point or polygon file you uploaded on page one before going on to enter another point or polygon file.

After you have all of your photos uploaded, review the list to ensure that all the photos are listed and the information is correct.

When you are finished, you can go back and upload more handheld PC files, or you can return to the login/logout page to exit the INVADERS web site.

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WHAT HAPPENS TO YOUR DATA NOW?

Now that you have successfully entered your data into the web-based data entry form your data will be verified at ASDM and then submitted into a national USGS database and made available to all managers and scientists who work to monitor, control, and eradicate invasive species.

DATA VERIFICATION AT ASDM

Until you reach the “Expert” level, ASDM and partner scientists will verify your data records and species identification. This will be done using the photographs that you upload to your data record and the specimens that you collect. ASDM will use the data and GPS coordinates in-house for ongoing conservation and mapping projects.

NATIONAL DATABASE

When your data reaches the national database, USGS staff will create dynamic maps of the infestations using a Geographic Information System (GIS). These maps will be available online for managers, scientists, and others working with invasive species. Users will also be able to query the database for specific information and view landscape photographs from your site. Your name as the scientist will be attached to each record and will be available to all who are interested in using your data.

LOCAL AND REGIONAL PARTNERS

ASDM staff are developing partnerships with other Sonoran Desert region agencies and organizations. Partners will create and send us lists of target sites for Early Detection and Reporting. Your data on these target sites will be sent to these partners who will then be able to make more informed decisions when creating management strategies including plans for prevention, control, and eradication. Managers may use your data to find areas that need more intense surveys or they may query the database to check the status of areas that previously underwent eradication.

If you become involved in local eradication programs, you may even find yourself using the data you collected to target new areas for control and to determine success of your own eradication efforts!!

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