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Bureau of Land Management Research Needs
TITLE:
Noxious Weed Invasion Dynamics
SUBMITTING BUREAU: Bureau of Land Management
Originating Office: Montana State Office
DATE SUBMITTED: May 21, 1996
BIN NUMBER: BLM01CR98
BRD REGION: Central
DESCRIPTION OF NEED: Descriptive text not provided by BLM. Referred to as "ongoing work."
MANAGEMENT PROBLEM WITH NEED:
BUREAU CONTACT: Hank McNeel (406) 255-2931
BRD PRIMARY CENTER: NPWRC
BRD CENTER CONTACT: Diane Larson
RESULTS OF BRD-INITIATED COMMUNICATION (FY99): Diane Larson contacted Hank McNeel on October 26, 1998. Dr. McNeel suggests that BRD should work with other agencies such as ARS and APHIS, as well as universities, in a team approach to weed management. Just as no single control technique is equally effective in all situations, no single agency has all the expertise that needs to be brought to bear against invasive weeds. In this respect, work on leafy spurge can be considered a model. Not only have several agencies pooled their resources and knowledge, but a variety of control methods B biocontrol, grazing, chemicals B have been used to advantage against this weed. Efforts to control other weeds would benefit from a similar approach.
Greater emphasis should be placed on introducing new biocontrol agents. Many weed species occur in environments to which the available biocontrol agents are not adapted. In addition, research is needed to develop artificial substrates on which to rear biocontrol agents, so that larger populations can be introduced.
Research is also needed on management techniques that can be employed as weeds are controlled, so that desirable species become established, rather than more weeds.
BRD is currently engaged in research that addresses some of these concerns, but not all. The attached summary describes relevant research. A workshop that would bring together the agencies mentioned above would be a logical step toward addressing Dr. McNeel's suggestion that BRD foster a team approach to weed management on public lands.
DATE SUBMITTED TO REGIONAL OFFICE: 12/11/98
PREPARED BY: Diane Larson
Summary of BRD research on alien plants, Central Region
Compiled by Diane Larson (NPWRC), Doug Gladwin (MESC), and Jim Grace (NWRC)
Effects of prescribed fire on establishment and viability of Aphthona nigriscutis for biological control of leafy spurge. Dense stands of leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula) threaten native biodiversity on many federal and state refuges, parks, and other conservation lands throughout the northern Great Plains. High monetary and environmental costs of herbicides and other conventional methods of control make biological control especially attractive for use on conservation lands, provided the selected agents are compatible with normal grassland management practices such as prescribed burning. A. nigriscutis, a European flea beetle approved for release in the U.S., appears promising for use in such habitats, but is
often difficult to establish in the dense mixed stands of grass and leafy spurge common in wildlife habitat. Recently completed research at NPWRC has demonstrated that: 1) established A. nigriscutis colonies are not adversely impacted by prescribed burning from September through mid May; and 2) in
habitat that is suitable for the species, burning before beetles are released increases the probability of successful colonization and enhances colony growth during the critical early generations. A manuscript,
"Prescribed fire effects on biological control of leafy spurge," by D.P. Fellows and W.E. Newton, has been accepted for publication by the Journal of Range Management. This work unit is complete.
Contact: David P. Fellows, Wildlife Biologist, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, 701-253-5514 david_fellows@usgs.gov
Survey and ranking of exotic plants in prairie parks. In a collaborative project, BRD, the National Park Service, and academic scientists are collecting the data necessary (1) to determine distribution and abundance of non-indigenous plants in prairie parks of the northern Great Plains, (2) to determine associations between non-indigenous plants and native plant communities, and (3) to rank the plants with respect to their invasiveness, potential to disrupt the ecosystem, and ability to be controlled. The alien plant ranking system developed by Ron Hiebert has been modified and computerized and is currently in the final stages of testing. Surveys have been completed at Theodore Roosevelt and Wind Cave National Parks. Analyses of the data from Theodore Roosevelt National Park suggest that, although disturbance is important in the invasion of some native plant communities, the communities themselves vary in Ainvasiveness.@ In particular, more mesic plant communities such as those that occur in the riparian zones and hardwood draws are especially susceptible to invasion. On the other hand, xeric habitats such as the bare ground complex have relatively few invading species.
Contact: Diane Larson, research biologist, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, MN Field Station, 612-625-9271, dlarson@biosci.cbs.umn.edu
Effect of leafy spurge on pollination of native plants. BRD scientists have completed field work to assess the effects of leafy spurge infestations on successful pollination of native wildflowers. Leafy spurge provides a rich resource for nectar and pollen feeding insects, attracting large numbers during its long flowering season. Results of this study have shown that stigmas of native flowers in the vicinity of leafy spurge infestations have significantly more spurge pollen than do those located in areas that are not infested. Furthermore, there is some indication that seed set is negatively affected by the presence of spurge pollen. This is a first step in examining the mechanisms by which exotic plants such as leafy spurge might change native communities.
Contact: Diane Larson, research biologist, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, MN Field Station, 612-625-9271, dlarson@biosci.cbs.umn.edu
Effects of prairie dogs on propagule banks in mixed-grass prairie. In a cooperative project between NPS and BRD scientists, preliminary data have been gathered on several active prairie dog towns, prairie dog and bison exclosures on the towns, and areas adjacent to the towns, to determine the effect of prairie dog disturbance on abundance of native and exotic plant propagules. Of particular interest is the potential for native rangeland to regenerate on towns that have been poisoned for agricultural purposes, and the vegetative potential of prairie dog towns selected for black-footed ferret reintroductions. The propagule bank of prairie dog towns we examined, whether active or within an exclosure, were lacking in native grasses, but had abundant weed and annual plant seeds.
Contact: Diane Larson, research biologist, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, MN Field Station, 612-625-9271, dlarson@biosci.cbs.umn.edu
Euphorbia esula and Cirsium arvense biocontrol: achieving management objectives. Managing invasive plants is a complex issue, but what has become clear is that simply killing weeds is not an adequate management goal. Research begun in 1998 on National Wildlife Refuges in North and South Dakota focuses on ways to achieve habitat goals using not only weed control, but also restoration techniques that will help re-establish the native community and make it more resistant to invasion.
Contact: Diane Larson, research biologist, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, MN Field Station, 612-625-9271, dlarson@biosci.cbs.umn.edu
Assessment, ecology, and management of Chinese Tallow. Studies of the effectiveness of prescribed burning on the exotic tree, Chinese Tallow, have found initial results to be encouraging. Despite the tree's adaptations for suppressing, recovering from, and tolerating fire, preliminary results suggest that repeated burning can have major effects on even the largest trees. These results are of the greatest importance for the coastal prairie ecosystem, which is currently at severe risk from degradation due to Tallow invasion. For further information, consult the following publication:
Grace, J.B. 1998. Can prescribed fire save the endangered coastal prairie ecosystem from Chinese tallow invasion? Endangered Species UPDATE 15:70-76.
Contact: Jim Grace, National Wetland Research Center, 318-266-8632 Jim_Grace@usgs.gov
Flooding may be key to controlling saltcedar seedlings
Water manipulations (e.g., seasonal drawdowns or flooding) of wetlands are often used by land managers but these manipulations frequently result in conditions that are also ideal for the germination and establishment of exotic species, such as saltcedar. Through controlled experiments, BRD scientists have evaluated how modifications in flooding or drawdown regimes may be used to eradicate saltcedar seedlings. The information, which is in press in a special issue of Wetlands will assist in the development of new techniques.
Contact: Doug Gladwin, Fort Collins Science Center, 970/226-9492 doug_gladwin@usgs.gov
Developing a multi-agency, multi-scale vegetation sampling program for grasslands and forests The USGS is comparing traditional rangeland sampling techniques (Daubenmire transects, Parker transects, and a proposed Natural Resource Inventory transect) with new multi-scale vegetation sampling methods in tallgrass prairie (Pipestone NM, Minnesota), shortgrass steppe (Central Plains Experiment Station, Colorado), and northern mixed prairie (Wind Cave NP, South Dakota, and Cheyenne High Plains Experiment Station, Wyoming). The results were recently published in the March 1998 issue of the Journal of Range Management 51:164-172. Results suggest that traditional transect methods fail to detect many exotic plant species, and the new multi-scale techniques recorded twice as many species as the other methods. Also, in cooperation with the USDA Forest Service, are also re-designing and testing new vegetation sampling techniques for the Forest Service=s Forest Health Monitoring Program to capture better information on non-native plant invasions in the Nation=s forests. This information will help predict new areas of invasion, guide non-native eradication, and facilitate native plant restoration efforts. Eradication efforts are much more cost-effective when weed populations are detected early. The new techniques can be used to inventory and monitor rangelands and forests for the early detection of noxious weeds and for the protection of native plant diversity.
Contact: Thomas J. Stohlgren, ecologist, Fort Collins Science Center, 970/491-1980 toms@nrel.colostate.edu
Plant diversity in Rocky Mountain National Park
In and adjacent to Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado, the USGS is evaluating the effects of the invasion of non-native plant species on native plant diversity. New vegetation sampling designs are being implemented to assess the abundance and distribution of plants at landscape scales. Looking at entire landscapes allows us to pinpoint "hot spots" of invasion. Preliminary results suggest that non-native plants are invading the areas with the highest native plant diversity and in plant communities with the most unique plant species creating the potential for non-native plants to compete with native and unique plants possibly leading to their decline. Three 1997 publications in Landscape Ecology, Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, and Ecological Applications demonstrate how this information will help guide weed eradication and restoration efforts and predict new areas of invasion.
Contact: Thomas J. Stohlgren, ecologist, Fort Collins Science Center, 970/491-1980 toms@nrel.colostate.edu
Declining native plant species and interactions with grazing
In the past two years, USGS researchers evaluated the plant species diversity inside and outside of long-term wildlife exclosures located on public lands in Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, South Dakota, and Utah. Results, soon to be published in Ecological Applications (February 1999 issue), suggested that grazing by wild ungulates, such as deer, elk, and bison, may not significantly influence plant species richness at landscape scales or the invasibility and persistence of exotic plants. However, some wildlife exclosures serve as refugia for exotics. Evaluating the interaction between grazing and exotic plant species is critical to conserving native plant diversity on public lands.
Contact: Thomas J. Stohlgren, ecologist, Fort Collins Science Center, 970/491-1980 toms@nrel.colostate.edu
Rapid Assessment and Monitoring of Exotic Plant Diversity in the Central Region
In a collaborative in the Central Region of the USGS, we collected the data necessary to rapidly assess invaded areas and susceptible habitats (e.g., riparian areas, burned areas, heavily grazed sites, invasible soil/geology types) in many USDI units throughout the Central Region using standardized, multi-scale techniques. Results, to be published in the February 1999 issue of Ecological Monographs, suggest that non-native plants are invading the areas with the highest native plant diversity and in plant communities with the most unique plant species creating the potential for non-native plants to compete with native and unique plants, possibly leading to the decline of native plants. Other results, recently published in Plant Ecology (Vol. 138, pages113-125, 1998), showed that riparian zones (creeks and wetland habitats) are havens for non-native plants. This information will be used to develop realistic management plans for non-indigenous plant species at each management unit.
Contact: Thomas J. Stohlgren, ecologist, Fort Collins Science Center, 970/491-1980 toms@nrel.colostate.edu
Integrated Strategies for Weed Control in Palustrine and Riparian Wetlands
Although many aspects of water level management in modified wetlands have been investigated, standard wetland management techniques that have traditionally been used to sustain wetland productivity also create conditions suitable for establishment and encroachment of tall whitetop and saltcedar. Thus, integrated strategies are needed to enable managers to promote desired native communities while minimizing the potential for establishment and encroachment of exotic species. Through controlled experiments, BRD scientists are studying the germination requirements of tall whitetop and saltcedar. This information will be incorporated into existing protocols for creation, restoration, and management of riparian and palustrine wetlands to help minimize establishment of saltcedar and tall whitetop.
Contact: Murray Laubhan, Fort Collins Science Center, 970/226-9411 murray_laubhan@usgs.gov
Garlon 4 herbicide used to emulate biological control of saltcedar
The Center has initiated a research project in western Colorado designed to evaluate the response of riparian vegetation following elimination of saltcedar. The herbicide Garlon 4 is being used in low-volume basal stem application to kill saltcedar trees in treatment areas and emulates biocontrol by killing approximately 90% of treated saltcedar while leaving the woody structure of the plants standing. The response of riparian vegetation in treatment and control areas will be monitored for several years and the results of this research should help guide future operational saltcedar control efforts.
Contact: Doug Gladwin, Fort Collins Science Center, (970) 226-9492 doug_gladwin@usgs.gov
FORMERLY TITLED: Integrated Leafy Spurge Management
RESULTS OF BRD-INITIATED COMMUNICATION(FY98): Unlike the needs identified in the 1997 process, the emphasis this year was overwhelmingly on control of exotic plants: Which techniques work under what circumstances? How can managers evaluate control techniques? How can efforts be coordinated and information be shared, both regionally and locally? And, the big question, if we do everything in our power to control exotics and restore native communities, will it work and can we afford it?
Managers face a wide array of possible control techniques for most invasive plants. None of them is free, either in terms of dollars or possible detrimental effects on the environment. Research is needed to assess the effectiveness of the various options and the effect the techniques have on non-target organisms. Greater coordination among the land management agencies (BLM, NPS, FWS, FS, etc.) would aid in this effort. A step beyond just fostering coordination would be to develop evaluation criteria that could be used throughout the region. By pooling the outcomes of all the control efforts in all the habitats represented on Federal and State lands, strategies could be devised to best attack current and new outbreaks. A regional workshop has been suggested as a potentially effective method for promoting coordination and developing evaluation criteria.
The end point of control is not, however, simply eradication of the target species. The question of restoration came up more than once. Research is needed in ways to restore healthy, native ecosystems that will resist exotic re-encroachment. Such research might also point at ways to strengthen native communities before exotics gain a foothold.
Finally, if we use the best, most current technology at our disposal, will we be successful in eradicating exotics and restoring a healthy, functional ecosystem? In virtually every case, managers are forced to compromise. Decisions are made to focus on one area, or one species, to the neglect of others, because funds are limited. If the maintenance of native diversity is important to society, what must we spend to achieve it? Research is needed to address both of these questions. If success is truly beyond our grasp, for either technological or fiscal reasons, fundamental policy shifts will be inevitable.
Current Central Region BRD Research on Exotic Plants: 1997-98 update
Summaries are provided below for some current work on exotic plants carried out by BRD scientists at Central Region Research Centers.
Exotic plants on prairie dog colonies. During 1996-97 data were collected on plant species composition and canopy cover on and off prairie dog colonies in Arizona, Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, and South Dakota. Comparisons of data on and off colonies should show the influence of prairie dogs on the distribution and abundance of exotic plants in a variety of ecological types.
Contact: Bruce W. Baker, Wildlife Biologist
Fort Collins Science Center
970-226-9414, bruce_baker@usgs.gov
Streamflow and the establishment of exotics. BRD scientists are studying the relationship between streamflow and riparian vegetation in the seventeen western states. By examining vegetation near 300 U.S. Geological Survey streamflow gaging stations, scientists are identifying how patterns of flow influence seedling survival of native cottonwood and willow, and exotic saltcedar and Russian-olive trees. The information gained will help resource managers in charge of regulating stream flows reduce the establishment of exotic species and promote native species in riparian areas throughout the west.
Contact: Jonathan Friedman, Hydrologist
Fort Collins Science Center
970/226-9318, jonathan_friedman@usgs.gov
Fragmented riparian habitats and small mammal assemblages in the Middle Rio Grande Valley, New Mexico. As a portion of the Middle Rio Grande Initiative of Region 2, Fish and Wildlife Service, the Albuquerque office of Fort Collins Science Center completed an assessment of the effects on wildlife of the reduction of areal extent of cottonwood bosque (woodland), failure of cottonwood to regenerate, and invasion of the valley by exotic plants, primarily saltcedar and Russian olive. Specifically, we collected data on species occurrence, composition, relative abundance, and habitat affinity of small mammal populations in fragmented patches of Rio Grande cottonwood bosque. A completion report on the project is available from the principal investigator.
Contact:Mike Bogan
Fort Collins Science Center
505-766-3903, MBogan@unm.edu
Developing a multi-agency, multi-scale vegetation sampling program for the central grasslands. The BRD is comparing traditional rangeland sampling techniques (Daubenmire transects, Parker transects, and a proposed Natural Resource Inventory transect) with new multi-scale vegetation sampling methods in tallgrass prairie (Pipestone NM, Minnesota), shortgrass steppe (Central Plains Experiment Station, Colorado), and northern mixed prairie (Wind Cave NP, South Dakota, and Cheyenne High Plains Experiment Station, Wyoming). Preliminary data suggests traditional transect methods fail to detect many exotic plant species, and the new multi-scale techniques recorded twice as many species as the other methods. The new techniques can be used to inventory and monitor rangelands for the early detection of noxious weeds and for the protection of native plant diversity. We found that non-native plant species invade areas of high native plant diversity. Our results demonstrate how the scale of analysis affects the conclusions about where non-native species invade.
Contact: Thomas J. Stohlgren, Ecologist
Fort Collins Science Center
970/491-1980, toms@nrel.colostate.edu
Keeping cheatgrass in check. The conversion of native grassland communities to exotic grasses, such as cheatgrass, has resulted in a threat to the viability of many native plant and animal species, either through direct plant replacement or changes in their habitat. BRD scientists at Canyonlands National Park have found that plant communities vulnerable to cheatgrass invasion and dominance can be predicted before invasion based on soil chemistry. Current work is now focused on whether soil chemistry can be altered to favor native plant re-establishment.
Contact: Jayne Belnap, Ecologist
Canyonlands Field Station (Moab, UT)
Forest and Range Ecosystem Science Center
801/259-3911 ext. 2174, jayne_belnap@nps.gov
The Exotics Map Project. A prototype project to develop standards and guidelines for an Exotics Map Database was conducted in the 4-Corners area of the Southwest. Three agency collaborators provided field data on exotic plant infestations using a standardized field sheet. The data were compiled into a database which is distributed through the world wide web. The web site also provides interactive search and display of the database and digital maps made from the database using a new internet technology, the Internet Map Server. Resource managers in Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah are now reviewing the prototype standards and discussing the implementation of the standards in a Phase II of the Exotics Map Project. The prototype database and associated maps can be viewed at: http://PC19.nbs.nau.edu. This home page also provides links to information on the ecology and distribution of important exotic species on the Colorado Plateau.
Contact: Kathryn Thomas, Plant Ecologist
Colorado Plateau Field Station
Forest and Range Ecosystems Science Center
520-556-7466 ext. 235, kat@nbs.nau.edu
Fall flooding effective in controlling saltcedar seedlings. Fall flooding for controlling first-year saltcedar seedlings may be a useful technique in riparian habitat restoration and management in the western United States. During controlled experiments, USGS/BRD scientists found that saltcedar seedlings were much more susceptible to the effects of complete fall flooding for 25 days than those of plains cottonwood (SC mortality = 99.2%; CW mortality = 79.2%). Potential field tests of this technique on DOI lands are currently being investigated.
Contact: Douglas N. Gladwin, Wildlife Biologist
Fort Collins Science Center
970-226-9492, Doug_Gladwin@USGS.Gov
The response of native plant communities to the invasion and spread of purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) and the impact of control measures on native plant biodiversity. BRD and the National Park Service are evaluating the rate of spread and impact of purple loosestrife, an invasive non-native wetland species, on native wetland plant communities in Voyageurs National Park. A monitoring program is also being established to evaluate the impact of chemical and biological purple loosestrife control measures on native plant biodiversity and wetland community structure. Digital aerial photography linked to global positioning technology is also being used to provide advance identification of purple loosestrife invasion and establishment.
Contact: Glenn R Guntenspergen
Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center
Jamestown, ND
701-253-5504, glenn_guntenspergen@usgs.gov
Effects of prescribed fire on establishment and viability of Aphthona nigriscutis for biological control of leafy spurge. Dense stands of leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula) threaten native biodiversity on many federal and state refuges, parks, and other conservation lands throughout the northern Great Plains. High monetary and environmental costs of herbicides and other conventional methods of control make biological control especially attractive for use on conservation lands, provided the selected agents are compatible with normal grassland management practices such as prescribed burning. A. nigriscutis, a European flea beetle approved for release in the U.S., appears promising for use in such habitats, but is often difficult to establish in the dense mixed stands of grass and leafy spurge common in wildlife habitat. Recently completed research at NPWRC has demonstrated that: 1) established A. nigriscutis colonies are not adversely impacted by prescribed burning from September through mid May; and 2) in habitat that is suitable for the species, burning before beetles are released increases the probability of successful colonization and enhances colony growth during the critical early generations.
Contact: David P. Fellows, Wildlife Biologist
Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center
701-253-5514, david_fellows@usgs.gov
Survey and ranking of exotic plants in prairie parks. In a collaborative project, BRD, the National Park Service, and academic scientists are collecting the data necessary (1) to determine distribution and abundance of non-indigenous plants in prairie parks of the northern Great Plains, (2) to determine associations between non-indigenous plants and native plant communities, and (3) to rank the plants with respect to their invasiveness, potential to disrupt the ecosystem, and ability to be controlled. A computerized ranking system is currently being tested.
Contact: Diane Larson, Biologist
Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, MN Field Station
612-625-9271, dlarson@biosci.cbs.umn.edu
Effect of leafy spurge on pollination of native plants. BRD scientists have completed field work to assess the effects of leafy spurge infestations on successful pollination of native wildflowers. Leafy spurge provides a rich resource for nectar and pollen feeding insects, attracting large numbers during its long flowering season. Results of this study will provide insight into the effect this alteration of pollen density has on amount and type of pollen delivered to native flowers in the vicinity of infestations, and on subsequent seed set of native plants. This is a first step in examining the mechanisms by which exotic plants such as leafy spurge might change native communities.
Contact: Diane Larson, Biologist
Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, MN Field Station
612-625-9271, dlarson@biosci.cbs.umn.edu
Effects of prairie dogs on propagule banks in mixed-grass prairie. In a cooperative project between NPS and BRD scientists, preliminary data have been gathered on several active prairie dog towns, prairie dog and bison exclosures on the towns, and areas adjacent to the towns, to determine the effect of prairie dog disturbance on abundance of native and exotic plant propagules. Of particular interest is the potential for native rangeland to regenerate on towns that have been poisoned for agricultural purposes, and the vegetative potential of prairie dog towns selected for black-footed ferret reintroductions.
Contact: Diane Larson, Biologist
Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, MN Field Station
612-625-9271, dlarson@biosci.cbs.umn.edu
Exotic plant information on the World-wide Web. Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center continues to update its web site with information on exotic plant biology and control. New resources include Species Abstracts of Highly Disruptive Exotic Species, with data specific to prairie parks in the Great Plains. The address is http://www.npsc.nbs.gov/resource/othrdata/exoticab/exoticab.htm#contents
Contact: Diane Larson, Biologist
Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, MN Field Station
612-625-9271, dlarson@biosci.cbs.umn.edu
Assessment, ecology, and management of Chinese Tallow. Chinese tallow (Sapium sebiferum) is an exotic tree that has spread throughout the region from North Carolina to central Texas. In the states of Louisiana and Texas Chinese tallow has replaced large areas of natural vegetation and serves as our local version of melaleuca. Tallow is a problem species with prolific growth and reproduction rates, and a broad ecological tolerance. At present we are spending over $250,000 a year to assess its threat to prairie restoration efforts and to determine the capacity for control using various methods, especially prescribed burning. This work is primarily being conducted in partnership with the U.S. FWS but information gathered should be of service to the NPS, Texas Parks and Wildlife, and various other agencies and private organizations.
Contact: Jim Grace, Ecologist
National Wetland Research Center
(318)266-8632, Jim_Grace@usgs.gov
Evaluating the potential for establishment and spread of Cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica) in wet pine savannas. Cogongrass is one of the world’s worst weeds, primarily in tropical regions throughout the world. Since its introduction to the US, it has become established in Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana. This aggressive invasive species has been found to invade forests, rangelands, pastures, roadsides, and restoration areas where it can rapidly exclude other plant species. Particularly problematic is its pyrogenic character, which often greatly intensifies normal fire behavior. Current work on this species is attempting to determine its establishment requirements and their relationship to land management practices.
Contact: Jim Grace, Ecologist
National Wetland Research Center
(318)266-8632, Jim_Grace@usgs.gov
The National Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Geographic Information System. Nonindigenous aquatic species continue to cause costly economic and environmental impacts to many sectors of American society and pose significant threats to the maintenance of biological diversity. To provide timely and accurate scientific information about the presence and distribution of nonindigenous aquatic species, the National Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Geographic Information System operates out of the USGS, Biological Resources Division research facility in Gainesville, Florida. This public access information system includes maps, fact sheets, data sets, general and scientific reports, and other related information regarding aquatic introductions reported since 1850. The current on-line data base contains over 35,000 geographically referenced accounts of over 680 species of fish, mammals, amphibians, reptiles, tunicates, bryozoans, sponges, coelenterates, annelids, mollusks, crustaceans, algae, ferns, monocot and dicot plants, diseases, and parasites. Accessibility is provided through a world-wide-web site at "http://nas.er.usgs.gov". This service is routinely used by Department of Interior Bureaus, NOAA, Department of Agriculture, state agencies, universities, and numerous U.S. and Canadian private industries to monitor the distribution of these organisms and to enable regional and national assessments of important species for management and control.
Contact: Charles P. Boydstun, Supervisory Ecologist or Colette
Jacono, Botanist.
Florida Caribbean Science Center. (352)378-8181
Charles_Boydstun@usgs.gov or Colette_Jacono@usgs.gov
Seed Dispersal of the Chinese Tallow Tree by Birds in Louisiana and South Carolina. Within the past decade, the Chinese tallow tree has received considerable recognition as a major ecological pest. Small monospecific stands of tallow trees have been found in many coastal forests of the southeast. The effectiveness of the tallow tree to track environmental change is strongly related to its efficiency of dispersal. Identification of the potential dispersal agents is crucial to understanding the invasibility of this plant. Studies suggest that it is a bird-dispersed plant, but few researchers have comprehensively addressed the issue. This study examines the quantitative relationships between birds and tallow trees in Louisiana and South Carolina through a cooperative study with Clemson University.
Contact: Wylie Barrow, Wildlife Biologist
National Wetlands Research Center
(318)266-8668, Wylie_Barrow@usgs.gov
Exotic plant evaluation in Prairie Cluster parks. Exotic plant species constitute a major threat to the integrity of native plant communities within the Prairie Cluster national parks (six national park areas in the Great Plains and upper Midwest). Park managers are using a variety of biological, chemical, and mechanical methods to reduce the impact of exotics. The exotic plants occurring at four of the parks have been inventoried (Effigy Mounds NM, Pipestone NM, Scotts Bluff NM, and Wilson’s Creek NB), and their invasiveness assessed using the ranking system developed by Heibert and Stubbendieck. Community vegetation monitoring begun in 1997 will provide some information on the frequency and abundance of exotics within particular parks. In addition park mangers need spatial data regarding the park-wide distribution of the most invasive exotics, the rate of spread of these species, and whether or not exotic control priorities based upon invasiveness of species, patch size, likelihood of control, and sensitivity of adjacent plant community. Furthermore, park managers need distribution maps for the most invasive exotic species so that monitoring protocols can be written to track distribution changes through time and evaluate the rate of spread and effectiveness of exotic control efforts.
Contact: Gary Willson
Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, Central Plains/Ozark
Plateau Field Station
(573) 882-8645, aggwills@muccmail.missouri.edu
DATE SUBMITTED TO CENTRAL REGION OFFICE: Nov. 14, 1997
PREPARED BY: Diane Larson, USGS Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, (612)625-9271, dlarson@biosci.cbs.umn.edu, with assistance from Tom O’Shea, USGS Fort Collins Science Center, and James Grace, USGS National Wetlands Research Center, (318) 266-8632, Jim_Grace@usgs.gov
U.S. Department of the Interior | U.S. Geological Survey
URL: http://biology.usgs.gov/cro/98blm-1.htm
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