Final Invasive Species Report. Sunflower Allotment Grazing Analysis

Transcription

1 Final Invasive Species Report Sunflower Allotment Grazing Analysis July 2015

2 Table of Contents Affected Environment... 3 Weed Sites within Project Area... 8 Range Management Direction... 8 Range Management Guidelines... 9 Environmental Consequences... 9 Alternative 1-No Action... 9 Alternative 2 Proposed action... 9

3 Affected Environment Eighty-eight different weed infestations have been mapped within the boundaries of the Sunflower Grazing Allotment (Table 1). The great majority of these were mapped during surveys for highway construction projects along State Route 87. These sites are within the right-of-way fences and not accessible to livestock, although weeds could easily spread beyond the fences into the grazing allotment. These weed species are: Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon), Saharan mustard (Brassica tournefortii), black mustard (Brassica nigra), globe chamomile (Oncosiphon piluliferum), fountain grass (Pennisetum setaceum), buffelgrass (Pennisetum ciliare), Jerusalem thorn (Parkinsonia aculeata), Russian thistle (Salsola kali), and saltcedar (Tamarix spp). Extensive fountain grass infestations (totaling 35 acres) have been mapped along the edge of Saguaro Lake, in a high-use recreation area, which is not open to livestock grazing, but is adjacent to the allotment. Table 1: Noxious Weeds within Sunflower Allotment Plant Code Common Name Infestation Site ID Inventory Date Acres Location CYDA Bermudagrass ADOA CYDA 10/02/ SR87 R-O-W BRNI Black mustard PF-SR87-BRNI- 05/14/ SR87 R-O-W PECI Buffelgrass PF-SR87-PECI- 04/30/ SR87 R-O-W PECI Buffelgrass PF-SR87-PECI- 04/30/ SR87 R-O-W /14/ SR87 R-O-W /14/ SR87 R-O-W /10/ SR87 R-O-W /12/ SR87 R-O-W PECI Buffelgrass PF-SR87-PECI- 06/08/ SR87 R-O-W PECI Buffelgrass PF-SR87-PECI- 06/08/ SR87 R-O-W PECI Buffelgrass PF-SR87-PECI- 06/08/ SR87 R-O-W PECI Buffelgrass PF-SR87-PECI- 06/08/ SR87 R-O-W PECI Buffelgrass PF-SUNFL- 03/04/ SR87 R-O-W PECI /18/ SR87 R-O-W

4 Plant Code Common Name Infestation Site ID PECI Buffelgrass PF-SR87-PECI PECI Buffelgrass PF-SR87-PECI PECI Buffelgrass PF-SR87-PECI Inventory Date Acres Location 06/18/ SR87 R-O-W 06/18/ SR87 R-O-W 06/18/ SR87 R-O-W 06/16/ SR87 R-O-W 06/16/ SR87 R-O-W 06/16/ SR87 R-O-W 06/16/ SR87 R-O-W 06/15/ SR87 R-O-W 06/15/ SR87 R-O-W 06/15/ SR87 R-O-W 06/15/ SR87 R-O-W 06/15/ SR87 R-O-W 06/15/ SR87 R-O-W 06/08/ SR87 R-O-W 06/08/ SR87 R-O-W 06/08/ SR87 R-O-W 06/15/ SR87 R-O-W 06/15/ SR87 R-O-W 06/15/ SR87 R-O-W 06/15/ SR87 R-O-W 06/14/ SR87 R-O-W 06/14/ SR87 R-O-W Page 4 of 10

5 Plant Code Common Name Infestation Site ID PESE3 Fountain grass SW-SUNFL- PESE PESE3 Fountain grass CT-SUNFL- PESE PESE3 Fountain grass GM-SUNFL- PESE PESE3 Fountain grass PF-SR87- PESE PESE3 Fountain grass PF-SAGUAR- PESE PESE3 Fountain grass PF-SAGUAR- PESE PESE3 Fountain grass PF-SR87- PESE Inventory Date Acres Location 04/24/ SR87 R-O-W 04/29/ SR87 R-O-W 03/06/ Otero 06/23/ Maverick 06/10/ SR87 R-O-W 06/18/ SR87 R-O-W 06/15/ SR87 R-O-W 06/18/ SR87 R-O-W 06/18/ SR87 R-O-W 06/18/ SR87 R-O-W 06/18/ SR87 R-O-W 06/16/ SR87 R-O-W 06/08/ SR87 R-O-W 06/30/ Saguaro Lake 06/30/ Saguaro Lake 06/08/ SR87 R-O-W 06/08/ SR87 R-O-W 06/08/ SR87 R-O-W 06/08/ SR87 R-O-W 06/08/ SR87 R-O-W 08/12/ SR87 R-O-W 06/15/ SR87 R-O-W Page 5 of 10

6 Plant Code Common Name Infestation Site ID Inventory Date Acres Location 06/15/ SR87 R-O-W 06/15/ SR87 R-O-W 06/14/ SR87 R-O-W 06/14/ SR87 R-O-W 06/10/ SR87 R-O-W 06/10/ SR87 R-O-W 06/10/ SR87 R-O-W 06/08/ SR87 R-O-W 06/08/ SR87 R-O-W PESE3 Fountain grass ADOA PESE3 02/02/ Picadilla/Adams ONPI Globe chamomile PF-SR87- ONPI ONPI Globe chamomile PF-SR87-ONPI ONPI Globe chamomile PF-SR87-ONPI ONPI Globe chamomile PF-SR87-ONPI ONPI Globe chamomile PF-SR87-ONPI PAAC3 Jerusalem thorn PF-SR87- PAAC PAAC3 Jerusalem thorn PF-SR87- PAAC PAAC3 Jerusalem thorn PF-SR87- PAAC PAAC3 Jerusalem thorn PF-SR87- PAAC CEME2 Malta starthistle PF-SUNFL- CEME CEME2 Malta starthistle PF-SUNFL- CEME CEME2 Malta starthistle PF-SR87- CEME CEME2 Malta starthistle PF-SR887- PESE /26/ SR87 R-O-W 11/26/ SR87 R-O-W 04/30/ SR87 R-O-W 04/30/ SR87 R-O-W 04/24/ SR87 R-O-W 06/10/ SR87 R-O-W 06/08/ SR87 R-O-W 06/18/ SR87 R-O-W 06/15/ SR87 R-O-W 05/13/ Dos S 05/14/ Dos S 04/25/ SR87 R-O-W 05/12/ SR87 R-O-W Page 6 of 10

7 Plant Code Common Name Infestation Site ID SAKA Russian thistle PF-SR87- SAKA SAKA Russian thistle PF-SR87- SAKA BRTO Saharan mustard PF-SR87- BRTO TARA Saltcedar PF-SR87- TACH TACH2 Saltcedar PF-SR87- TACH TACH2 Saltcedar PF-SR87- TACH TACH2 Saltcedar PF-SR87- TACH Inventory Date Acres Location 06/16/ SR87 R-O-W 06/16/ SR87 R-O-W 06/08/ SR87 R-O-W 06/10/ SR87 R-O-W 06/18/ SR87 R-O-W 06/18/ SR87 R-O-W 06/08/ SR87 R-O-W Bermuda grass is classified as a C species on the Tonto National Forest; that is, it is very widespread and the Tonto NF s goal in management is to possibly maintain extent of this weed to its current size. Bermuda grass seed is a common alfalfa hay contaminant; also, Bermuda grass hay is commonly sold in feed stores. Malta starthistle is a winter/spring season annual forb. It produces seed in April and continues to disperse seed through early summer months. This species grows along State Route (SR) 87 from the Fort McDowell Reservation north past the junction with SR 188. It could be found anywhere within the project area. Fountain grass and buffelgrass are technically summer growers that put on vegetative growth and produce seed after summer monsoons, but they can be seen to produce seed nearly year-round. Both of these perennial grasses produce large biomass volumes that are highly flammable. Buffelgrass in particular carries an extremely hot fire (up to 1700 degrees Fahrenheit) through desert areas, killing native desert vegetation, which is not adapted to withstand wildfire. The impact of buffel grass on arid ecosystem function is significant. This is because creek and canyon bottoms typically act as a blockade to the spread of fire, even when dry, because the soils lining the creek do not support the growth of dense, fire-fueling grasses. Anecdotal evidence indicates that buffelgrass thrives along creek lines in dry environments (Miller et al., 2010). Thus, a feature that should prevent the spread of fire can actually transport it. Saharan and black mustard are winter/spring annual forbs, usually producing seed and curing by March. Saharan mustard grows in Saguaro Lake recreation sites and along SR 87. It is a common invader of disturbed sites at elevations below 3,000 feet. Black mustard is less common, but has been documented growing along State Routes 87 and 188, and was found in seeded safety zones after the Willow Fire of Page 7 of 10

8 Globe chamomile is an early winter annual forb that is spreading rapidly in desert areas from the greater Phoenix metro area. It germinates during the winter, using soil moisture that would otherwise be available for native annual plants. This forb was recently planted on the Dos S SR 87 project by an Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) contractor. While steps were taken to eliminate these infestations, they will probably be found along Forest Road 143 and could be carried by vehicle traffic or prevailing winds farther east into the project area. Russian thistle, or tumbleweed, often invades disturbed sites. Given the opportunity, native vegetation may naturally re-take tumbleweed sites. Saltcedar is a tree that is normally found in riparian areas or wetter spots near roads. Saltcedar drops its leaves during cold winters, but it can flower and produce seed year-round. Saltcedar, like native riparian trees, uses large amounts of soil water. Saltcedar is more deeply rooted than native riparian trees so can withstand longer periods of drought and crowd out native trees. Weed Sites within Project Area Table 1 displays a list of the mapped invasive species with in the pasture for the Sunflower allotment. Table 2: Invasive Species Mapped in Sunflower Allotment Unit Name Species Acreage Cottonwood crimson fountaingrass Desert crimson fountaingrass Dos S Globe chamomile Dos S Asian mustard Dos S Bermudagrass Dos S buffelgrass Dos S crimson fountaingrass Dos S five-stamen tamarisk Dos S Jerusalem thorn Dos S Johnsongrass Dos S Maltese star-thistle Dos S Russian thistle Dos S saltcedar Dos S stinknet There are most probably more infestations of these weed species and perhaps others within the pastures of the Sunflower Allotment, but they have not been identified and mapped to date. Range Management Direction Invasive species known to occur within the project area will be treated as necessary. Permittee, Forest Service, or cooperators will coordinate weed inventory and treatment. Invasive species monitoring is carried out at the same time as allotment inspections are conducted. As noxious Page 8 of 10

9 weed populations are found they are mapped, monitored, and treated. Treatment methods will follow guidelines established in the Environment Assessment for Integrated Treatment of Noxious or Invasive Weeds as detailed in the decision notice and finding of no significant impact, pages three through five (August 2012). Range Management Guidelines Below is a list of guidelines to prevent spread of weeds in the Sunflower Allotment: Schedule use in starthistle-infested pastures for before plants set seed (late summer to early spring) Do not feed supplemental hay to cattle on the National Forest. If an exception must be made, or for situations when horses are fed on the Forest (such as during round-up) use weed-free feed such as pellets or certified weed-free hay. Through the allotment management plan or annual operating instructions, manage the timing, intensity (utilization), duration, and frequency of livestock activities associated with harvest of forage and browse resources to maintain the vigor of desirable plant species and retain live plant cover and litter. Include weed prevention practices that reduce ground disturbance in allotment management plans and annual operating instructions. Consider for example: changes in the timing, intensity, duration, or frequency of livestock use; location and changes in salt grounds; restoration or protection of watering sites; and restoration of loafing areas, corrals, and other areas of concentrated livestock use. During range inspections, check known areas of concentrated livestock use for weed invasion. Environmental Consequences Alternative 1-No Action Since livestock grazing will not be authorized under this alternative, there will be no direct or indirect effects associated with grazing authorization. This there will be no cumulative effects for invasive species management related to the actions of this project. Alternative 2 Proposed action By following the guidelines established in the Environment Assessment for Integrated Treatment of Noxious or Invasive Weeds as detailed in the decision notice and finding of no significant impact, pages three through five (August 2012), there will be no effects to invasive species populations related to the authorization of grazing within the Sunflower Allotment. As such, there will be no cumulative effect to invasive species as there are not direct or indirect effect related to this alternative. Page 9 of 10

10 Citations G. Miller, M. Friedel, P. Adam, V. Chewings Ecological impacts of buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris L.) invasion in central Australia does field evidence support a fire-invasion feedback? In Rangeland Journal, 32 (2010), pp Page 10 of 10