Transcript A New Invasive Plant Survey Along Rivers

Engaging Local Citizens in Detecting and
Controlling Invasive Species in River
Corridors
Laura MacFarland
River Alliance of Wisconsin
Outline
• Introduction to the River Alliance of Wisconsin
• River Alliance’s AIS Program
• Volunteer Monitors Patrol River Corridors for Invasive
Species
•Founded 15 years ago by
paddlers and flyfishermen
concerned about the health of
Wisconsin’s rivers
•Statewide
•Over 3000 members
•Over 150 groups
AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES PROJECT
•
Assess the potential threats posed by invasive
species to the flowing waters of Wisconsin
•
Examine potential roles for citizens and
volunteer groups at the local level to take on
education, prevention, planning, and
management activities aimed at these species
AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES PROJECT (cont.)
• Guide these groups to improve their knowledge
and expand their capacity to meet the
challenges of riverine invasive species, including
education, prevention, and control
• Develop monitoring program for river
organizations in coordination with the
Department, National Institute of Invasive
Species Science and University Extension
Why we want our rivers to be free of
invasive species!
Flow
Flora
Fauna
Fishing
Paddling
Swimming
Invasive Species Coming Soon
to a River Near You!!!
Japanese Knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum/ Fallopia japonica)
Stems resemble bamboo and can grow to be 10 feet tall.
Leaves are normally 6 inches long by 3 to 4 inches broad, heart shaped/
triangular
Controlled through multifaceted approach (mechanical and chemical).
Rusty Crayfish (Orconectes rusticus)
Dark spot on carapace as if you picked them up with paint on your thumb and
forefinger
Prevention is key as control of an established population has not been
successful
Common Reed Grass (Phragmites australis)
Perennial reed grass; up to 13 feet tall, large light-brown to
purple flower spike
Chemical and mechanical treatments
Native
Non-native
Smooth stem
Ridged stem
Less dense stand
Dense stand that you can hardly
see through
Black fungus on old stems
Leaves/sheath peels off easily
Leaves/sheath do not peel off
easily
Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria)
Stiff, four-sided upright stem; 3 -9 feet tall
Opposite leaf arrangement
5 – 6 petals per flower; flowers in a spike
Biological, chemical and mechanical control
Japanese Hops
Japanese hops (Humulus japonicus)
Annual vine twines counter-clockwise
Leaves and stem covered with hooked
climbing hairs that feel sticky
Flowers mid to late summer
Chemical and Mechanical Control
Common Teasel
(Dipsacus
fullonum)
Curly-leaf Pondweed
(Potamogeton crispus)
Eurasian Milfoil
(myriophyllum spicatum)
Reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea)
© 1997 Purdue University Agronomy Extension
Paul E. Berry
Zebra Mussel (Dreissena
polymorpha)
Triangular in shape
Various colors and patterns but
most have black or brown
stripes
Mechanical Control
Zebra Mussels
The Quagga Musselb (an invasive species) has been found in
environments that the Zebra mussel has not been successful in
invading!
Future Threats
• Snakehead, mosquito fish
• Three-spine stickleback
• New Zealand mud snail
•
•
•
•
Hydrilla
Water chestnut
Water hyacinth
Water lettuce
Invasive Species Coming Soon
to a River Near You!!!
NOT MY RIVER!
Pilot Monitoring Project
Over 25 miles of rivers were
surveyed by River Alliance staff
and volunteers on four rivers
(Sheboygan River, Kickapoo
River, Badfish Creek, and
Baraboo River).
Statewide Trainees
UW Hoofers
Madcity Paddlers
Valley Stewardship
Network
Friends of Badfish
Creek
Sheboygan
County Master
Gardeners
RA Individual
Member
Map from the Kickapoo Valley Reserve
Japanese Knotweed
Results
River
JK
CRG
PLS
JH
Sheboygan
10
5
1
0
Baraboo
0
0
0
0
Badfish Creek
1
0
2
0
Kickapoo
1
0
0
0
Figure 2. Number of New Infestations Detected
Lessons Learned
•
•
•
•
Cannot include absence data
Should be done while the plant is in bloom
Keep it simple
Work within existing framework
Helping Local Groups Take the Next Step!
Discussion
What role can the Friends of Badfish Creek and
local groups play in the fight against invasive
species?
•
Priorities
•
Limitations
•
Resources
Questions?