Lauren S. Pile PhD Student Forest Resources Clemson University
Can reach sexual maturity after 3 growing seasons Can form monospecific woodlands within 10 years of invasion Fast growing with broad ecological tolerance
Dispersal: birds and water Shade tolerant Tolerant to flooding Tolerant to salt May have allelopathic capabilities altering soil chemistry High fecundancy 100,000 seeds/mature tree
Impacts on Military Operations Eliminates realistic training or testing conditions and limits related activities Diverts funding from other natural resource or operational priorities Acts as a main cause of habitat destruction and biodiversity loss, further reducing training land Poses a security risk
2009-2011 Survey and map invasive species abundance and presence Review the effectiveness of past control methods 2011-2015 Scientifically test integrated treatment options Recommend treatment based on ecological restoration effectiveness and management priorities
Reduction in infestation size and density of CTT Enhance military training grounds Promote natural ecosystem processes Restoration of native species abundance and diversity
Different combinations of mechanical, chemical and prescribed fire treatments will be tested Measurements will be taken to determine effectiveness in controlling CTT Treatment effects will be recorded on native species diversity and abundance to study ecosystem response to the applied treatments
Maritime forests o Live oak (Q. virginiana) o Laurel oak (Q. laurifolia) o Blackgum (Nyssa sylvatica) o Sugarberry (Celtis laevigata) Natural and plantation pine forests o Slash pine (P. elliotti) o Loblolly pine (P. taeda) Scrub layer o Yaupon (Ilex vomitoria) o Wax myrtle (Myrica cerifera)
Mosaic of vegetation types
Systematic stratified sampling design Data recorded with a Trimble Juno GPS using ArcPad 7.1 and WIMS 3 Transects were made approximately every 135 feet
2001 Management Priorities 2010 Management Priorities
Stump sprouting after mechanical damage
Stem spouting after herbicide
Seedlings from soil seed bank after herbicide treatment
Large mature trees capable of producing abundant yearly seed crops
Mechanical Treatment (Spring: Year 1) Prescribed Fire (Spring: Year 3) Herbicide Treatment (Late Summer: Year 1)
Mechanical treatment will be prescribed using a GyroTrac mulcher http://www.nps.gov/natr/parkmgmt/mechanical-treatments.htm Low impact Minimal soil disturbance Targeted Removes midstory CT without impact on desired tree species Mulch May reduce seedling germination and advance regeneration Fire After 2 years of decomposing, mulch may help to carry a surface fire
Effective herbicide treatments should be made when downward translocation of total nonstructural carbohydrate (TNC) is increased TNC concentrations were highest during leaf fall and lowest during leaf and seed development CTT mechanical control applications should occur when TNC levels are at their lowest (Spring) CTT herbicide applications should occur when TNC levels are at their highest (Fall)
Rapid decomposition of leaf litter may be a factor in carrying a surface fire Controlled burning may reduce germination probability Chinese tallow is a thin barked species, particularly when young, which may result in increased mortality due to fire effects
Mechanical Treatment (Spring: Year 1) Herbicide Treatment (Late Summer: Year 1) Herbicide Treatment (Late Summer: Year 2)
Herbicide (Late Summer: Year 1) Prescribed Fire (Spring: Year 3)
Control Herbicide Only
Herbicide Only Treatment as the Control Herbicide treatments have been conducted throughout Parris Island since 2002 Many locations/forest stands receiving a single (in 1 year) herbicide treatment without follow up in additional years Tested treatment will follow the same herbicide methodology used previously (hack and squirt)
Department of Defense Parris Island MCRD Dr. Geoff Wang Dr. Pat Layton Dr. Vic Shelburne John Holloway Jr. Dr. Tom Waldrop Dr. Joan Walker Dr. Larry Gering Ron Kinlaw Invasive Plant Control Inc. Todd Horton (SePro) Charles Kemp (Marshfield Forest) Jack Whetstone Michael Broom Tyler Brown Tyler Jones Contact information: Email: lpile@clemson.edu Phone: 845-304-8348