Using the UF/IFAS Assessment to evaluate the invasion risk of non-native plants in Florida s natural areas

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1 Using the UF/IFAS Assessment to evaluate the invasion risk of non-native plants in Florida s natural areas Deah Lieurance Center for Aquatic & Invasive Plants Agronomy Department

2 Invasive species: an organism (plant, animal, fungus, or bacterium) that is ECISMA CNN not native and has negative effects on our economy, our environment, or our health. USDA/Flickr

3 Era of globalization

4 Pathways for introduction Intentional Horticulture/agriculture Shakespeare Erosion control/wildlife improvement Accidental Ballast water Unprocessed wood/shipping material Hitchhikers

5 Intentional introduction 60%-82% linked to the ornamental plant trade, forestry, & agriculture (Grotkopp et al. 2010; Reichard 1997)

6 Accidental introduction

7 Florida ranks in the top areas in US Tropical/subtropical climate Transportation hub (tourism & trade) non-native species

8 Biological Traits of Invasive Plants High relative growth rates Great fecundity/efficient dispersal Short time to reproductive maturity Tolerant to a wide range of habitats Efficient resource utilization

9 Ecosystem Effects Erosion/sedimentation Changes in water & nutrient cycling Altered disturbance regimes Increases in resource competition Reduction of native species South Florida Water Management District

10 Invasion process Stepwise process with barriers at each step Blackburn et al Not all introductions result in an invasion

11 Economic cost of biological invasions Significant impacts to recreation, agriculture, ecosystem services $179 million estimated cost to Florida s agriculture (Schmitz, 2002) Expensive to manage $45 million/yr on conservation ac. (Hiatt, unpublished data)

12 Control/management Area invaded Prevention Eradication Containment Management costs Entry of non-native species Time 1:100 1:25 1:5-10 1:1-5 Victoria State Government ( Economic return (indicative only)

13 History & Purpose 1999 Invasive Plant Working Group Recommendations for use & management Currently, fulfilling a research & extension role Recognized nationally & internationally Historical illustration of Eichhornia crassipes invasion

14 What is The Assessment? 1. Predictive Tool to evaluate risk before species enters the state 2. Status Assessment to evaluate species present in the state 3. Infraspecific Taxon Protocol to evaluate invasion risk of cultivars Multiflora rose (multiflora rose) Indigofera hirsuta (hairy indigo) Nandina domestica CV. (harbor dwarf)

15 1. Predictive Tool Risk assessment protocol modified for Florida Evaluates species New to state Causes problems elsewhere Proposed for new use >170 species evaluated Vitex rotundifolia (Beach vitex) High Risk

16 1. The WRA Series of 49 questions Domestication/cultivation Climate/distribution Weed elsewhere? Plant type Reproduction Dispersal mechanisms Persistence attributes Scoring <1 Low Risk for Invasion 1-6 Evaluate Further >6 High Risk for Invasion History/biogeography Life history/ecology

17 1. Non-native planting rule to control the introduction into, or movement within, Florida of plant species intended for biomass plantings. Requires permit to plant >2 contiguous acres By law, include weed risk assessment Eucalyptus urophylla Millettia pinnata Miscanthus sinensis

18 Industrial hemp Tung oil tree Brassica spp.

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20 2. Status Assessment Evaluates species already in Florida Describe the status of the species Ecological impacts Potential for expanded distribution Management difficulty Economic value Incorporates field data from experts

21 2. Ecological impacts Document natural areas where present/#acres Long term alterations to ecosystem processes? Overall changes in community structure? Interactions with federal/state threatened or endangered species?

22 2. Management impacts Control methods? Is species difficult to control? Require retreatment? Costs of control >$1500/acre? Viable propagules?

23 3. Infraspecific Taxon Protocol Cultivars, varieties, sub-species Do recommendations for resident species apply Request submitted to IFAS Assessment staff Ruellia simplex (Mexican petunia) Ruellia simplex CV. (Mayan purple) Is the taxon is a distinct entity Will taxon behave differently than parent species Lantana camara (Lantana) Lantana camara CV. (Bloomify Red) Mayan pink Mayan white Mayan purple

24 3. Infraspecific Taxon Protocol Will botanists/field personnel be able to distinguish the taxon? Regress, revert, or hybridize to characteristics of resident species? Invasive traits that cause greater ecological impacts? Increased or decreased propagule pressure?

25 Conclusions 1. Not considered a problem (or Low Risk) species at this time & may be recommended (reassess in 10 yrs) 2. Caution (or Evaluate Further) may be recommended but manage to prevent escape (reassess in 2 yrs) 15% 7% 5% 73% 3. Invasive (or High Risk) (reassess in 10 yrs) 880 species evaluated

26 Predictive Tool & ITP Control/management Area invaded Prevention Eradication Containment Status Assessment Management costs Entry of non-native species Time

27 Research example 1: Predicted versus actual invasiveness of climbing vines in Florida (Gordon et al. 2017) 84 vines in Florida 15 non-invaders were predicted high risk (i.e., false positive) 4 invaders were predicted to be low risk (i.e., false negative) Residence time highly correlated to invasion status

28 Research example 2: Invasion risk of clumping and running bamboo species in the continental United States Clumping Running

29 Research example 2: Applications Predicted to be a high risk Running rhizomes Evidence of invasiveness elsewhere Currently promoted for mass planting in FL, MS, AL, TN, TX

30 Future research Research on fate of abandoned agricultural lands Invasion risk of alternative crops being promoted to citrus Relationship between residence time & the invasion status Assessment dataset provides information on >600 species

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33 Please visit assessment.ifas.ufl.edu