Southern Illinois Invasive Species Strike Team

Transcription

1 Southern Illinois Invasive Species Strike Team

2 On a global basis the two greatest threats to biodiversity are habitat destruction and invasion by exotic species -E.O. Wilson

3 Invasive Species Strike Team Work accomplished in State Parks, Nature Preserves, Land and Water Reserves & Private Lands that serve as pathways onto these Lands Rigorous field testing of the Weed Information Management System (WIMS) Provide detection and rapid response of new invasive species Map invasive species locations Treat invasive plant species using various techniques Prepare annual report of strike team activities

4 Invasive Species Strike Team Map 36 Natural Areas in 11 counties

5 Roles/ Responsibilities: 1 st Year Strike Team: Use GPS to survey and map new/existing infestations Use WIMS to track treatment data Treat invasive species Assist with prescribed burns Coordinate work with IDNR, TNC and CWMA staff Prepare reports DNR Heritage Biologists and CWMA: Prepare work orders Provide equipment Information on sites, treatment type and timing

6 Roles/ Responsibilities: Subsequent Years Strike Team: Use ArcPad to survey and map new/existing infestations Use WIMS to track treatment data Treat invasive species Assist with prescribed burns Coordinate work with IDNR, TNC and CWMA staff Prepare reports Monitor infestations from previous year and monitor/treat new sites Create/maintain website & calendar to organize site and treatment schedules DNR Heritage Biologists and CWMA: Prepare work orders using website Provide additional equipment and treatment information, if necessary

7 Headquarters Based at Union County State Nursery, Trail of Tears State Forest Office, shop, equipment, and pesticide storage on-site

8 Work Priorities Priorities are based on the following factors: Severity of threat to high-quality natural areas and rare species; Extent of targeted infestation i.e. EDRR; Probability of successful control and potential for restoration; Opportunities for public involvement; Park/preserve commitment to follow-up monitoring and treatment

9 Work Process Strike Team receives Work Order from Heritage Biologist Organized by species and site Determine season of treatment using monthly calendar and phenology Treatment and record keeping WIMS, daily diary, site diary

10 JOB ORDER Exotics Control Strike Team Site Name: Lusk Creek Nature Preserve Location: Pope Co. 11S-6E-34 Contact Person: Randy Tucker Job Type: Exotics control X_ Fire Lines assist Other Burn Job Description: Control of Chinese Yam, search for new infestations. Suggested Methods: foliar application of herbicide Garlon 3A (or equiv.) in water suggested. Suggested Dates of Work: summer, prior to plants setting on bulbils Any Red Flags, Hazards or Sensitive Resources? Yes_X No (if yes please describe) Area has great natural quality and contains many rare plants, possibility of encountering hikers or horse riders along the trail or in the preserve. Is this a Nature Preserve or Land and Water Reserve? Yes_X_ No List any other reasons this site should receive priority treatment: area is high value Nature Preserve one of the finest in the entire state. If needed attach map

11 Website: Communication and Work Orders

12 Treatment Calendar/ Work Plan Work Plan based on: Previous year s work Invasive Plant Treatment Calendar Knowledge of regional phenology Create annual calendar General plan for the year Create specific calendar on a monthly basis, to supervisors To be maintained on website

13 Phenology

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15 Prevention Clean boots and equipment at each site to prevent seed spread

16 Treatment Method: Chemical Majority of the Strike Team s work Foliar spray, basal treatment, cut stump

17 Treatment Method: Mechanical Used when chemical treatment is not effective or appropriate -e.g. Garlic Mustard with seed heads Hand pulling

18 Treatment Method: Fire Fall and spring Treat seedlings of exotic and native invasive species e.g. Phragmites, Japanese Honeysuckle, Autumn Olive

19 Treatment Method: Torching Used when chemical treatment not effective or appropriate e.g. Garlic mustard with seed heads, Japanese stiltgrass with seed or in sensitive areas

20 Total Acres Treated 1 st 3 rd Year Chemical and Mechanical Fire Year acres Year acres Year 3-1,325.7 acres Year acres Year 2-1,652 acres Year acres

21 Species and Acres Treated 3 rd Year 25 Species in 32 natural areas Autumn olive (E. umbellata) acres Bush honeysuckle (L. maackii) acres Chinese yam (D. oppositifolia) acres Garlic mustard (A. petiolata) acres Tree of Heaven (A. altissima) 1.27 acres Japanese stiltgrass (M. vimineum) acres Japanese honeysuckle (L. japonica) acres Phragmites (P. australis) 5.8 acres Multiflora rose (R. multiflora) 45.3 acres Japanese chaff flower - (A. japonica) 2.1 acres Kudzu (P. Montana) 6.9 acres Silktree (A. julibrissin), Fuller s teasel (D. fullonum), Cutleaf teasel (D. lacinatus), Winged euonymus (E. alatus), Wintercreeper (E. fortunei), Rose of Sharon (H. syriacus), Sericea lespedeza (L. cuneata), Chinese privet (L. sinense), Princesstree (P. tomentosa), Beefsteak plant (P. frutescens), Bradford pear (P. calleryana), Crown vetch (S. varia), Johnsongrass (S. halapense), and Mullein (V. Thapsus) - <1 acre

22 Early Detection Rapid Response (EDRR) New infestations reported Infestations are quickly mapped and treated Examples: Ferne Clyffe: Burning Bush Giant City: Teasel, Chinese Yam and Stilt Grass Cave-in-Rock: Chinese Yam and Garlic Mustard Gibbons Creek: Chinese Yam Hutchins Creek: Japanese Knotweed Hayes Creek Canyon Campground: Garlic Mustard

23 Partnerships Hayes Creek Canyon Campground (equestrian) Prevent spread of Garlic Mustard along trails in National Forest and adjacent to Nature Preserve Audubon Society Garlic Mustard along Lusk Creek Work with neighboring landowners e.g. Garlic Mustard upstream of Ferne Clyffe Green Earth Inc. Garlic Mustard Challenge pulls with grade schools US Forest Service Garlic Mustard along Lusk Creek

24 Weed Information Management System (WIMS) WIMS is used to collect data in field ArcPad Occurrences, Assessments, Treatments Herbicide Use Plant phenology and density Weather

25 Weed Information Management System (WIMS) WIMS is used to collect data in field ArcPad Occurrences, Assessments, Treatments Pesticide use Plant phenology and density Weather WIMS database Stores and organizes data collected in field Create maps Prepare reports

26 WIMS with ArcGIS WIMS data and aerial photos are combined in ArcGIS (ArcPad and ArcMap) Create detailed maps Useful for monitoring sites and planning future treatments

27 Time Allocation Daily Diary Date Type of activity (Admin, Travel, WIMS, Treatment, etc.) Task Time spent People Man hours Used to prepare quarterly reports Site and Assessment Diaries Man hours Dates for treatment or mapping at each site Type of activity Description of site and invasive plant community Used to prepare final report

28 Time Allocation

29 Site Assessment Information is collected for the final report for the targeted invasive species Useful for monitoring sites and planning future treatments

30 Final Report Research, Survey and Monitoring Treatment Cooperation and Collaboration Early Detection and Rapid Response Site Descriptions and Maps