Volunteer Efforts to Remove Arundo donax (Giant...
Transcript of Volunteer Efforts to Remove Arundo donax (Giant...
Volunteer Efforts to Remove Arundo donax (Giant Reed) from Arundo donax (Giant Reed) from
Sabino Canyon
Jim WashburneUA-SAHRA*-AZrivers
October 8, 2009
Washburne/RupprechtArundo Removal Project* Sustainability of semi-Arid Hydrology & Riparian Areas, an NSF Sci.&Tech. Ctr.
Desert splendor or Desert invader ?
Washburne/RupprechtArundo Removal Project
Tucson Arundo Removal
Mission:• To coordinate and facilitate the removal
of Arundo donax in the Tucson area• Effectively clear Sabino canyon by 2011Goals:Goals:• Supervise removal activities• Educate the public about this threatEducate the public about this threat• Encourage public participation• Protect our riparian ecosystems system
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• Protect our riparian ecosystems system
Arundo Removal Project
THE PLANT
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Arundo donax L
Giant Cane, Elephant Grass, Spanish Cane, Carrizo Cane
• Monocot, Poaceae (grass)• Stalk and leaves resemble corn and is
sometimes confused with Bamboo• Rapidly grows to 20 feet (3-4 in/day)
O i i ll f M dit /P i G lf• Originally from Mediterranean/Persian Gulf• Introduced to area as:
– landscape plant, wind break, erosion control
James H. Miller, USDA Chris Evans, River to River
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p p , ,
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Arundo donax L
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Water UsePlant Water use
[af/ac/yr]Ratio
Arundo / Plant
A d d 1 20 1Arundo donax1 20 1Tamarisk2 4-6 ~4Alf lf 5 4Alfalfa 5 ~4Cottonwood3 ~2 ~10M it 4 1 4 5 20Mesquite4 1-4 5-20
Fast growing thirsty
Characteristics of invasive plants:Hardy, drought tolerant, rapidly re-colonize disturbed areas, spreads readily, out competes
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, p y, pnative plants, degrades natural habitat
it will continue to spread unless we take action
HOW BAD CANHOW BAD CANIT GET?
The problem:Gi d l l h l iGiant reed can completely overwhelm native
vegetation, which reduces wildlife habitat, increases fire risks and interferes with flood control
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Southwestern & MX Infestations
California~10,000 acres
Rio Grande – Big Bend to Del Rio~60,000 acres
L C l Ri
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Cuatro Cienegas~275 acres
Lower Colo.River~5,000 acres
Tucson Experience
UA area Sabino Canyon Dr & Rillito
Present in most central neighborhoods
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Rillito River
WHY NOW?
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June 2003 Aspen Fire
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July 2006 Debris Flows
2006 2008
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Effects of Scouring & Debris Flows
OUR EXPERIENCE IN SABINO
CANYONCANYON
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Team leader training
25 leaders trained to lead groups of 5-10lead groups of 5 10 people
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Field orientation…getting started
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Removing stalks & rootsRemoving stalks & roots
Before After 2 hours of workBefore After 2 hours of work
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Maintaining the flow
Washburne/RupprechtArundo Removal Project
Volunteers
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GPS Mapping
• Started May 2008y• ~500 stands mapped
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Clean-up
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Disposal Strategy?
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Other uses
Pascua Yaqui TribeTucson Permaculture Inst.Sonoran Kitchen Gardens
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So o c e G de sTucson Symphony
Historical uses
• Erosion control• Reed instruments• Paper• Basketry• Structures – wind/sun• Fishing rods• Arrow shaftsArrow shafts• Ornamental
Marsh Arab hut
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Ref: plantsforuse.com
Marsh Arab hutiraqupdate.wordpress.com/2007/07/31/
Impact to date
2007-2008 2008-2009
Volunteers 54 542
Hours (@4hr/da) 216 2100+850
Bags 79 740
Bundles 100 (est) 910
Stands ~100
Fun Facts (2008-2009)( )@ $20/hr, about $42,000 of field volunteer time@ 1 bag/4 ft2, about 3,000 ft2 => only 55’x55’!!@ 20 stalks/bundle, about 18,200 stalks
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Progress as of 9/09 – Thanks!
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Can’t rest on our laurels …
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Danger – it keeps going
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OTHEROTHEREFFORTS
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Tucson Arundo Project – Area of Interest
SabinoCanyon
LegendWork areas
ActiveFuture
SantaCruz3 i Future3 mi
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Bear Creek – w/RFCD & TNC
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Rillito - West of Swan
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Craycroft to Sabino Canyon Dr
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REMOVAL REMOVAL STRATEGIES
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Tools of the Trade
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Herbicide Application
• After the winter field season, the USFS applied herbicide
• Targets new growth from stands cut & dug by volunteersby volunteers
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Chemical Control• Rodeo® (54% Glyphosate)
– Cut – stump (Oct) (-76%) (-99%)100% li d t t ft tti• 100% applied to stem soon after cutting
– Cut – spray (Sept) (-82%) (-50%var)• 1.5-2% foliar application (Sabino @ 5%)
N t ( 33%)– No cut - spray (-33%)– Control (+21%)
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More about Glyphosate
• Best applied just after floweringi iToxicity:
• Rana frogs & flathead minnow (Gly)– 96-hr LC50 ~1200 mg/L– Actual values after 1hr ~ 0.1 mg/L
Bl ill fi h & R i b t t (R 11)• Bluegill sunfish & Rainbow trout (R-11)– 96-hr LC50 ~4.0 mg/L
Actual values after 1 hr ~ 013 mg/L– Actual values after 1 hr ~ .013 mg/L
• “poses no significant toxicity hazard to non-target fish and frog species”
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non target fish and frog species
Arundo Removal Project
Teamarundo.org/control_manage/DFG-EPAreport.html
Biological Control
Arundo waspT t l it i th• Tetramesa romana lays its eggs in the cane stem, where the larva cause galls to form in the stem and kill the cane.
Arundo fly • Cryptonevra sp. larva kill new plant shoots. yp p p
Arundo scale• Rhizaspidiotus donacis feeds on the plantRhizaspidiotus donacis feeds on the plant
rhizomes.
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Un-intended consequences??
Arundo Removal Projectwww.homelandsecurity.org/journal/Default.aspx?oid=154&ocat=1
WHY IT WORKS&
CURRENT STATUSCURRENT STATUS
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Collaboration / Leverage
Jim Washburne, time & resources
Candice Rupprecht, time & resources
Stan Helin, time & resources
Rice/Becker, coord.
Sh i B fi ld d &Sherrie Barfield, coord. & resources
Mark & Jean Hengesbaugh, time2
Phillip Bentley $1120 tool grantPhillip Bentley, $1120 tool grant
Kendall Kroesen, time & coord.
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…Pascal Yaqui
Why it works
• Compelling problem• Organizational core & expertise• Mutual interests• Access to basic resources• Strong volunteer networkg• Public support because of visible areas• Long-term focusLong term focus• Catching the problem in-time
– its doable!
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Future Activities
• Expand efforts to Rillito wash• Looking for other groups to work with
around town– Scouts– Neighborhood groups
• Join forces with permaculture communityA ff ti f l ff t• Assess effectiveness of removal efforts
• Study growth and herbicide factors
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www.sahra.arizona.edu/education2/arundo
Web site used to:• Inform public• Coordinate
volunteers• Share best
practices• Report progress• Provide additional
information
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www.sahra.arizona.edu/education2/arundo
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Other Local Invasive Grasses
Buffelgrass – Pennisetum ciliare
Washburne/RupprechtArundo Removal ProjectCheatgrass – Bromus tectorumFountain grass – Pennisetum setaceum
Bear Canyon / Hidden Valley
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