CalEPPC
A quarterly publication News of the California Exotic Pest Plant Council
Volume 6 Number 3 Summer 1998
IN THIS ISSUE
Presidents Message by Mike Pitcairn ...... p. 3
The Distribution of Salsola soda in San Francisco Bay by Judi Tamasit ...... p. 4
Starr Ranch Sanctuary Artichoke Conference by Mike Kelly ...... p. 6
Extension Toxicology Network (ExToxNet) as a Source of Pesticide Toxicology Information by Joe DiTomaso ...... p. 8
Locations and degree of presence of Salsola soda throughout San Francisco Bay. Map designed by A. N. Cohen, 1989. CalEPPC News Who We Are 1998 CalEPPC Officers and CalEPPC NEWS is published quarterly Board Members by the California Exotic Pest Plant Officers Council, a non-profit organization. The President Mike Pitcairn email:
Submission Dates for CalEPPC News If you would like to submit a news item, an article, a meeting announcement, or job opportunity for publication in the CalEPPC News, they must be received by the deadlines listed below. Editor reserves the right to edit all submissions. Send your text/disk/email to editors address above.
Submission Dates: Spring April 15 Fall October 15 Summer July 15 Winter January 15
Please Note: The articles contained herein were contributed to the CalEPPC newsletter. The California Exotic Pest Plant Council is a These articles represent the opinions of the authors and do not necessarily California 501(c)3 non-profit, public benefit reflect the views of CalEPPC. Although herbicide recommendations may corporation organized to provide a focus for issues and concerns regarding exotic pest plants in have been reviewed in contributed articles, CalEPPC does not guarantee California, and is recognized under federal and their accuracy with regard to efficacy, safety, or legality. state tax laws a qualified donee for tax deducible charitable contributions.
Page 2 Summer 1998 CalEPPC News Presidents Message by Mike Pitcairn
everal interesting discussions activities; and we put on an annual tion of native plant community. No Shave occurred during the last few symposium where experts in plant progress is made if one plant is CalEPPC board meetings concern- biology and control methods present removed and another invasive exotic ing the topics to be presented at the most current information on takes its place. Thus, exotic weed CalEPPCs Symposium 98 which these topics. Scientific studies and control must be incorporated in a will be held in Ontario, October 2-4, reports on the damage caused by weed management strategy that 1998. The discussions centered encourages the return of native around what information would best The goals of species and prevents the reinvasion serve our membership. I will try to CalEPPC have been of exotics. summarize some of our conclusions, 2) Safety is critical for all control but first some background. primarily educational methods. Some control methods risk Some (not all) exotic plants are and twofold: to get damage to other plant species, aggressive invaders that escape others risk damage to the applica- areas in which they were originally the word out and to tors. Chain saws should be used with intended and invade native plant provide informa- appropriate protective gear and communities. Upon invasion, these proper training. Herbicides are exotic plants displace native flora tion... should be applied with appropriate and disrupt ecosystem function. equipment and protective clothing, They can change nutrient cycling some exotic plants are being pub- etc. Organization and identification and moisture regimes. They can lished annually and this information of duties are critical to reduce risk to change the frequency of fire or even is passed on to you as it becomes volunteers in field crews. introduce fire into areas it has not available. Control methodology 3) The control methods used historically existed (e.g. the occur- encompasses several different must be science-based and shown to rence of exotic annuals in the technologies: releasing living organ- be effective. There are so many Mojave Desert). The threat of these isms with biological control; using weeds and so little time. Lets make exotic species is so great that they controlled burns; coordinating crews the most of our efforts. This is not need to be removed, eradicated, or who remove plants with chain saws to say that experimenting with new at least controlled lest we lose the and hand tools; and applying chemi- methods or unique combinations of diversity of our native plant commu- cal herbicides. Information on traditional methods should not be nities and the integrity of native control methodology is limited, but utilized, for they should. We do ask, ecosystems. growing. however, that the methods used and When CalEPPC was organized Control methodology is a very results achieved be documented so in the early 1990s, knowledge of large and diverse topic and the that effectiveness can be evaluated. the threat and damage caused by CalEPPC board has discussed at 4) While not all control methods some exotic plant species was length what information would best are appropriate for all weeds and all confined to a few experts, and serve our members. Several views situations, the choice of control methods for controlling these plants on many diverse aspects of plant method cannot be made before the was sorely lacking. Since its incep- control have been expressed in these habitat is examined and a control tion, the goals of CalEPPC have discussions. Still, a consensus ap- strategy is developed (see 1 above). been primarily educational and pears to occur on several points CalEPPC will provide as much twofold: to get the word out about which I will do my best to summa- information as possible for all the threat of some exotic plants to rize: control methods. The final decision native plant communities, and to 1) Control of an exotic pest rests upon those responsible for the provide information on how to plant must be considered in the project. eradicate or control them. For this, larger context of the habitat and The theme for Symposium 98 we have produced a plant list identi- ecosystem where the control activity is Working Smarter, Working fying the most invasive exotics; we will take place. The goal of control- Together. This should be a very have a newsletter providing informa- ling exotic plants is not just removal interesting and enlightening sympo- tion on plant biology and control of the target weed but also restora- sium. I hope to see all of you there. j
Summer 1998 Page 3 CalEPPC News The Distribution of the Non-Native Plant Salsola soda in San Francisco Bay: Summary of a Thesis by Judi Tamasi
determined the distribution of a County Recreation Area, and at found at the crossing of Pinole Creek, I non-native plant, Salsola soda, the south end of San Francisco the railroad tracks, and the adjacent throughout marshes in San Fran- Bay at the Palo Alto Yacht Harbor. wetland. At this location, S. soda was cisco Bay for my senior Environmen- I did not find it at several locations the dominant plant in large densities tal Sciences honors thesis at the I visited in the less salty waters of covering a large area along a dry University of California at Berkeley. Suisun Bay, although two people levee. Here, S. soda may have altered Although some sightings of the plant did report finding it there (Preston, the vegetative structure of the ecosys- in the Bay had been officially re- 1995, pers. comm.; Witham, tem, and perhaps influenced this ported before my project, my paper 1995, pers. comm.). ecosystem in other unknown ways. At is the first attempt to synthesize the A description of the environ- several other sites, I observed S. soda data pertaining to past documenta- ment in which S. soda is found can in small densities over a large area or tion with the data I collected regard- provide clues to how it arrived as in a large density over a relatively ing the locations where the plant is well as clues to characteristics of small area. In addition, I noted the presently found. An analysis of my the environment which favor its presence of the plant at locations findings suggests that S. soda has persistence. Several times I found where it was documented over twenty the potential to alter native wetland S. soda at mouths of pipes, along years ago, which is evidence of its ecosystems in San Francisco Bay. riprap or along sloughs, suggesting ability to persist in an area. Salsola soda is in the family that the plant may expand its The results of my telephone Chenopodiaceae and is related to distribution by means of water. The interviews were not entirely conclu- the well-known agricultural weed, seeds or propagules can float and sive, yet they do suggest the possibility Russian thistle (Salsola tragus). S. travel in water before they are that S. soda may threaten San Fran- soda is a halophyte, found on deposited onshore and have the cisco Bay marshes. On one hand, mudflats and open areas of salt opportunity to establish elsewhere. many of the people I interviewed, who marshes. It is succulent, generally In addition, I found the plant along have experience with San Francisco glabrous, and ranges in color from roads and bike paths, indicating marshes, had not heard of the plant green to red to brown. S. soda is that tires play a role in dispersing or did not think it posed any great native to South Europe and its the seeds. The seeds can be caught problems. However, two people I presence was first documented in up in tires, travel some distance, interviewed thought S. soda had been San Francisco Bay in 1968 (Tho- then fall out at another location. problematic lately (Olson, 1995, pers. mas, 1975). Although I found S. soda along comm.) or that it shows promise to be From field visits primarily, as edges of water bodies, I also found a problem (Hartesveldt, 1995, pers. well as telephone interviews and it many times along levees, particu- comm.). I discussed untested supposi- library and herbaria searches during larly in dry soil. In all cases, the tions regarding some possible impacts the 1994-1995 academic year, I presence of surrounding tidal caused by S. soda with some people. concluded that S. soda is widely marsh vegetation implied that the These suppositions include Salsola: present throughout the geographical soil is saline. The results of a soil establishing in previously extremes of the Bay, excluding test I conducted confirmed this unvegetated areas, subsequently Suisun Bay (see map). This includes concept. affecting the short-legged shorebirds the north coast of San Pablo Bay at Some of my observations by decreasing their visibility from Tubbs Island, along the east shore at suggest that S. soda may have the predators (Baye, 1994, pers. comm.), locations such as Berkeley Marina potential to affect the integrity of replacing the native pickleweed and Chevron Marsh, along the west our wetlands in San Francisco Bay. and therefore transforming the land- shore at sites such as the bike path An outstanding example of its scape (Olson, 1995, pers. comm.), or north of Sausalito and Coyote Point potential to establish and spread is Continued page 9...
Page 4 Summer 1998 CalEPPC News Book Review: Assessment and Management of Plant Invasions Editors: J.O. Luken and J.W. Thieret, Springer-Verlag, New York, 1997, Reviewed by Carl E. Bell
his book is the latest of the carefully define what is indigenous Methods and Philosophy of Manag- TSpringer series on environmen- and non-indigenous and justify ing Exotics. The final section is tal management. It has some excel- control measures. The concepts Regulation and Advocacy, with four lent information on the subject of behind these papers are probably papers on organizing people and invasive plants and should be a not likely to get a lot of sympathy efforts against exotics. welcome addition to most libraries, if from the majority of us, but they are I found this book well written by you can afford it. The book has 18 designed to make you think. Johns a host of experts in this field. My contributed papers, divided among contribution, by the way, is a good only problem with this book is that I four sections, covering a range of general review of the process of feel it is too diverse. Topics range topics from the ecology of non- defining weeds in natural areas. from ecology, setting up EPPCs, native plants and invasion, to case The second section, Assessment how to define a species as non- studies of successful management of Ecological Interactions, consisting indigenous (let alone as invasive), efforts. The first section on Human of seven papers, is devoted to basic and dealing with politicians to start a Perceptions includes three of the 18 principles of plant ecology as it control program. I felt there was a papers. These papers, including one relates to invasive species. As such, lack of focus in the book as it tried by our own John Randall, concern they are good reading as a review of to be all things to all people. That, the ecology of invasive species and ecology or a primer for those that combined with the hefty price tag, what impact they have on natural need an education in ecology. The will not make this book attractive to systems. Two of these papers (not third section is a more practically too many people although it has an the one written by John) ask us to oriented group of four papers on abundance of good information. j Congratulations to the Recipients of California BLMs War on Weeds Mini-grant!
ight proposals were received and four were funded for a total of $15,000. The proposals were all reviewed and Eranked by signatory representatives of the Noxious Weed MOU that attended the last meeting of the California Interagency Noxious Weed Coordinating Committee. The recipients were:
California Native Plant Society Special weed issue of Fremontia $8,100 East Sierra Weed Management Area ID handbook, tamarisk video $5,000 Lassen County SWAT Team Weed prevention flyer $1,400 Battle Creek Watershed Conservancy Regional weed video $500
All of the recipients will be using the WOW grant award for educational activities, which was the primary focus for this year. Based upon comments by the participating agencies, Weed Management Areas (WMAs) will be the primary focus for next year (given Congressional funding). As part of a Weed Management Area, your agency or organization will be eligible for more funding opportunities than as an individual. Another source of funding for Weed Management Areas is the Fish and Wildlife Foundations Pulling Together noxious weed initiative. This large funding source is available every fall, so start working on your WMA proposal now! Contact Anne Knox ([email protected]) to find out more about Weed Management Areas, the Pulling Together grant initiative, and how you can get involved. j
Summer 1998 Page 5 CalEPPC News Starr Ranch Sanctuary Artichoke Conference by Mike Kelly
he Biology and Control of a mitigation project his company choke plants act as a conduit to TArtichoke Thistle was the carried out involving artichoke bring water deeper into the soil theme of a conference held June 12 eradication. Bomkamp argued that horizon, good for the native plants at the Audubon Societys Starr choosing artichoke infested sites for and seeds being planted. Ranch Sanctuary. Sanctuary manag- mitigation projects only makes sense Dawn Lawson and Lee Ann ers Sandy and Pete DeSimone if they are adjacent to good quality Naue of the Southwest Division organized the fruitful meeting. native habitat where there are the Naval Facility Engineering Com- Participants could not have asked for propagules necessary for the resto- mand and Marine Corps Base Camp a more beautiful setting than the ration of native plants. Pendleton described the successful 4,000 acre nature preserve, home Peter Bowler underscored this 15-year effort to control artichoke to a wide diversity of habitats and point with a provocatively titled talk, thistle on Camp Pendleton. They species. The reason for the confer- Artichoke as an Ecological Re- used the herbicide Dicamba ence was highly visible in the grass- source and its Utility as a Precur- (Banvel®) and found it to be effec- lands, both native and exotic annual, sor to Restoration. Bowler is well tive. where a heavy artichoke infestation known for his work in salvaging Dave Pryor from the California is often seen to dominate the cover coastal sage scrub species and using Department of Parks and Recreation in many places. them in restorations (Bowler 1997a, at Crystal Cove State Park detailed Artichoke thistle (Cynara 1997b, 1994, 1992). Bowler cardunculus) was once one of describe a project site where arti- Murder is Californias worst pest plants choke thistle was first successfully (Thomsen 1986), infesting hundreds removed using the chemical herbi- creating a vacancy of thousands of acres, especially in cide glyphosate (Roundup®), then Southern California. Today it is still restored to native habitat with without nominating a major pest plant on rangeland and transplanted coastal sage species. a successor. in open-space parklands and pre- Bowler made two important points: served lands, including Mission first, why remove the artichoke Ambrose Pierce Trails Regional Park, Black Moun- thistle if native replacements arent effective control efforts in the park. tain Open Space Park, Gooden already on site or ready to be He noted that a change in adminis- Ranch, Crystal Cove State Park, brought in? In sites where large tration had resulted in a lack of Starr Ranch Sanctuary, The Irvine monocultures of artichoke are to be follow-up for a period, during which Ranch and others. It is still common found, limiting oneself to simple the artichoke thistle enjoyed a to see grasslands along Interstate 5 eradication of the artichoke often resurgence He emphasized the need on the south coast infested with the opens the site to other weeds. Some for consistent control year after year. weed. Vacant lots are commonly of these other weeds are true strat- Roundup® was the herbicide of filled with it in places like Rancho egy weeds and would be worse than choice for the park. Trisha Smith Bernardo. (Much of the artichoke the artichoke. He suggested choos- discussed The Nature Conservancys problem was solved in the long- ing sites adjacent to existing native partnership with the Irvine Company standing Southern California tradi- vegetation and working from there. on the Irvine Preserve where hun- tion of building a subdivision on top He argued that the artichoke thistle dreds of acres of artichoke control of it.) actually creates good conditions for are involved. Twelve speakers presented talks restoration in areas where it has Mike Kelly, president of the at the conference, roughly divided formed monocultures and been Friends of Los Peñasquitos Canyon into three categories: basic biology established for long periods of time. Preserve in San Diego described a and ecology, case histories of In these sites, he has often found the successful control effort in that control efforts, and restoration of ground beneath the artichoke to be preserve and shared new informa- once infested lands. Tony Bomkamp have halos of relatively exotic seed- of Glenn Lukos Associates described free soil. Additionally, dead arti- Continued next page...
Page 6 Summer 1998 CalEPPC News tion on the existence of a biocontrol the possibility of mechanical control Sage Scrub Restoration Symposium agent for the artichoke thistle. of the artichoke through mowing. held at the Fifth Annual Conference Scientific presentations revealed Starr Ranch is experimenting with of the Society for Ecological Restora- some interesting information. Ted different mowing strategies in an tion, California Chapter. (in press). St. John, a well-known expert on effort to determine if it is possible to Bowler, P.A., A. Wolf, H.V. Pham, mycorrhizae from Tree of Life starve the roots. The three-year M.A. Archer, A.S. Bak, M. Bedaux, Nursery in San Juan Capistrano experiment hopes to answer the A. Chun, J.S. Crain, S. Feeney, A. spoke of preliminary work indicating question of whether an effective Gloskowski, P. Golcher, C.J. that artichoke thistle is at least alternative to the use of herbicide Hodson, M.L. James, R.C. Johnson, facultatively mycorrhizal, meaning exists for the control of Cynara M.S. Milane, V.H. Nguyen, R.S. that promoting mycorrhizae, an cardunculus. DeSimone will be Salazar, and C.R. Simonds, 1994. effective technique with some reporting on this work at next Transplanting Coastal Sage Scrub ruderal weeds, would probably not Octobers CalEPPC Symposium in Seedlings from Natural Stands be effective with this plant. Ontario. (California). Restoration and Man- Amanda Boose and Ginger A big thanks to the DeSimones agement Notes 12(1): 87-88. White from UC Riverside reported for hosting and organizing this Bowler, P.A. 1992. Biodiversity early results from research they are stimulating and informative meeting. Conservation in Europe and North doing on behalf of Starr Ranch at the Starr Ranch Sanctuary. j America. II. Shrublands In Defense Sanctuary. They have been investi- of Disturbed Land. Restoration and gating the basic physiology and References: Management Notes 10(2): 144-149. phenology of the weed, using Pepper, A. and M. Kelly. 1996. research plots at the university. Bowler, P.A. 1997a. New Direc- Controlling Cynara cardunculus Germination experiments confirmed tions in Coastal Sage Scrub Restora- (artichoke thistle, cardoon, etc.) In observations made by Pepper tion: Establishing Local Species J.E. Lovich, J. Randall, and M.D. (1996) on the breadth and discon- Richness, Ethics and Effort in Onsite Kelly (eds.).Proceedings of the Calif. tinuous germination of artichoke Seed Collection, GIS Applications Exotic Pest Plant Council Sympo- seed. The seed can germinate under and a New Approach to Long-term sium Vol. 2: 1996. pp. 97-101. a wide variety of conditions and over Project Design and Performance Thomsen, C.D., G.D. Barbe, W.A. a prolonged period of time. Experi- Standards, in P.A. and E. Read Williams and M.R. George (1986). ments revealed a startling fact, that (eds.). Coastal Sage Scrub Restora- Escaped artichokes are troublesome the plant is setting up a tap root tion: Proceedings of the Coastal pests. California Agriculture 40:7-9. right after the cotyledon stage and before the rosette stage. Cut it and it resprouts even at this early stage. Cutting the plant at the 6th leaf and 11th leaf stage failed to kill it. In Plan to attend each case the plant resprouted. Cutting at the rosette stage delayed bolting, but didnt kill the plant. The CalEPPC Symposium 98 plants resprouted and still bolted, albeit a bit later. Experimenting on ark your calendars to reserve Posters addressing all areas of the underground tuberous parts of Mthe weekend of October 2-4, exotic pest plant control in wildland the plant revealed that even a tiny 1998 for CalEPPC Symposium 98, ecosystems of California will be portion of the root system left in the Working Smarter, Working displayed in the symposium break ground can resprout into a plant. Together, at the Hilton in Ontario, area. You and your colleagues are This shouldnt be too surprising California. Full day and short-day invited to display your poster regard- since its close cousin, the commer- field trips will tour local restoration ing research, control methods, tools, cial artichoke (Cynara scolymus), is sites. The invitations for CalEPPC or other related topics. Informal propagated in this manner, through Symposium 98 were mailed in presentations by poster authors are root division. Participants are August. The symposium has been invited but not required. Please call eagerly awaiting the publication of awarded 2 hours of educational Barbara Leitner at (510) 253-8300, these and other experiments. credits for laws and regs and 7 email: [email protected]. j Finally, Sandy DeSimone hours of approved credits for in the described an ambitious research into other category by DPR.
Summer 1998 Page 7 CalEPPC News Extension Toxicology Network (ExToxNet) as an Excellent Source of Pesticide Toxicology Information by Joseph M. DiTomaso, University of California, Davis
any claims are made concern State University; Cornell University; as well as specific information on Ming the hazard or safety of and the University of Idaho. It is various herbicides. For example, herbicides in the environment. located at the URL address:
Page 8 Summer 1998 CalEPPC News ExToxNet (Contd) Salsola (contd) Thomas, J.H., 1975, Salsola soda L. (Chenopodiaceae) in Central when conducting a search for a occupying an unfilled niche, California, Madroño, v. 23, no. 2, p. specific herbicide. Each mention of a thus causing little harm or influence 95. selected herbicide is listed and can to the ecosystem and its compo- Witham, Carol, Biological Consult- be readily displayed. In addition, a nents (Baye, 1994, pers. comm.). ant, Davis, CA, 1995, personal list of published citations can also be My study determined the communication. j obtained for any herbicide. For distribution of S. soda in San example, a search of triclopyr Francisco Bay and described the (Garlon 3A, 4 and pathfinder II) environment in which it is found. yielded 378 published citations on Because S. soda is widespread in various aspects of its toxicology. the Bay and it appears to display Many of these references are EPA the potential to impact the ecosys- publications describing the original tem, I advise that further studies be studies used in the registration conducted on the possible impacts process. The site also contains a of this plant. Also, land managers Pesticide Information Profile (PIP) should note the presence of S. soda More on Fort Ords of each herbicide registered for use and monitor the spread of the plant November War on in the United States. Within these over time. I recommend that this Weeds Symposium profiles are included the registration research be conducted before status, a short description of the official eradication measures are he goal of the War on Weeds herbicide use, and a more detailed taken. Tprogram on former Fort Ords discussion of the toxicological and 28,000 acres are to identify the ecological effects, and environmental Note: If anyone would like to greatest threat noxious weed spe- fate of the compound. Under the comment on this summary or cies, prevent their further spread, category toxicological effects there receive a copy of the seventeen and to eventually achieve total is a short summarization of acute page report, please contact the eradication. At the second annual and chronic toxicology, reproductive author, Judi Tamasi, 5819 Lawton War on Weeds Symposium to be effects, teratogenic, mutagenic, and Avenue, Oakland, CA 94618. held in November, weed eradication carcinogenic effects, organ toxicity, specialists, conservation association and the fate of the compound in References: members, biologists, volunteers, and animals and humans. Ecological Baye, Peter, Plant Ecologist, Army cooperating agencies at Fort Ord will effects consider the toxicity of each Corps of Engineers, San Francisco, share each others successes and compound to birds, aquatic organ- CA, 1994, personal communica- failures in combating weeds, as well isms, and other pertinent species tion. as discuss methods to develop (i.e., bees). The section on environ- Cohen, A. N., Ph.D candidate, regional collaborative teams to mental fate covers herbicide break- Energy and Resources group, attack the problem. down in soil, groundwater, surface University of California, Berkeley, A field trip is planned to enable water, and in plants. There is also a CA. 1994. Personal communica- participants to view Fort Ords list of physical properties for the tion. cooperative weed eradication active ingredients and exposure Hartesveldt, Dave, Biological projects and the rare habitats that guidelines, such as the Maximum Consultant, Coarsegold, CA, 1995, are to be preserved. Contamination Level (MCL). personal communication. Plan to attend in November In summary, I find the ExToxNet Hickman, J.C., ed., 1993, The 1998. Call Bruce Delgado for more web site to be the most easily acces- Jepson Manual:Higher Plants of information at 408.394.8314. j sible and comprehensive source of California, Berkeley, CA, Univer- information on pesticide toxicology sity of California Press, 1400 pp. ERRATA currently available. I encourage Olson, Brad, Botanist, WESCO, CalEPPC members to utilize this site Novato, CA, 1995, personal com- In the Spring 1998 edition of to obtain information specific to their munication. CalEPPC News, Vol. 6 No. 2, the situation or find answers to toxicology Preston, Robert, Botanist, LSA botanical name of Cape ivy (formerly questions of concern to themselves, Associates, Richmond, CA, 1995, known as German ivy) was mis- their peers, or the general public with personal communication. spelled. The correct spelling is: which they interact. j Continued next column... Delairea odorata. j
Summer 1998 Page 9 CalEPPC News Effects of Arundo donax on Water Resources by Mark E. Iverson, P.E., City of Riverside, Water Reclamation Plant
very year, giant cane (Arundo Horticulture experts estimate able for drinking water supplies. Edonax) evaporates an estimated Arundo evaporates water at ap- 56,200 acre-feet of water along the proximately the same rate as rice. In Effects on the Quality of Water Santa Ana River; enough water to short, every acre of Arundo con- Resources serve a population of about 280,000 sumes about 5.62 acre-feet of water Native vegetation normally people. If this amount of untreated per year. Native species use only overhangs the river, providing shade water was purchased from the Metro- about two-thirds this amount; 1.87 that keeps the temperature of the politan Water District (MWD), it acre-feet per year. The water lost to banks and the water down. Being a would cost approximately evapotranspiration is water that giant reed grass, Arundo provides $18,000,000 at the current cost for would otherwise be available for little shade along the banks of the untreated drinking water. There is, groundwater recharge and ulti- river; consequently the water in the therefore, a cost that can be easily mately drinking water supplies. river is exposed to more sunlight. associated with Arundo and its effects The Santa Ana River and other This increases the water temperature on water resources. A successful streams and rivers in Southern and changes the chemistry of the Arundo removal program could California are natural groundwater water. ultimately cut the evapotranspiration recharge basins. Were it not for the With increased sunlight comes by two-thirds. This would save an numerous wastewater discharges increased photosynthesis activity. estimated 37,500 acre-feet per year along the Santa Ana River, it would Warmer water, in conjunction with of water worth approximately be almost, if not completely, dry more sunlight, promotes algae $12,000,000. except during the short rainy growth which tends to raise the pH It is easy to attach a dollar season. Only a small portion of the of the water. The increase in algae amount to how Arundo affects the runoff from the heavy winter rains growth also reduces the clarity of the quantity of water resources, but it is reaches the groundwater aquifers; water. The Santa Ana River, being a difficult to do so for how it affects the most of it runs off quickly and is wastewater-effluent dominated quality of water resources. Being a ultimately discharged to the ocean. stream, is high in ammonia nitrogen giant grass, Arundo provides little But nearly all of the water that flows concentration. The high pH of the shade along the river. This causes the in the river during the dry season water shifts the equilibrium of water temperatures to increase, either percolates into the groundwa- ammonia from the ionized to the un- which in turn changes the water ter aquifer or is lost to evaporation. ionized form. Un-ionized ammonia is chemistry of the river. The net result There are an estimated 10,000 more toxic to fish and other aquatic is water quality that is less suited for acres of Arundo along the Santa life. fish and other aquatic life. Arundo, Ana River. Using the estimated People benefit either directly or therefore, affects the water resources evapotranspiration rate of 5.62 indirectly from a healthy river habi- of the Santa Ana River in ways that acre-feet per year, a total of 56,200 tat. Those people who fish, swim are both tangible and intangible to acre-feet per year of water is being and otherwise visit the river for man. consumed by the Arundo. If the recreation benefit directly from Arundo was completely replaced better water quality. But even those Effects on the Quantity of Water with native vegetation, the annual who dont visit are affected. How, Resources water consumption of the plants and to what monetary extent, is Arundo is a non-native plant that would be only about 18,700 acre- difficult to determine. Suffice it to was imported to Southern California feet per year. To put this in perspec- say that ultimately we are all affected from the Mediterranean by the early tive of beneficial use, one acre-foot by our natural environment and Spanish settlers. Over the years the of water is enough to serve a family water resources are a key factor in Arundo population has increased to of five for one year. The savings in environmental quality. Removal of the point where it out-competes all water consumption would therefore the Arundo is therefore important other native plant species in riparian be enough to serve a population of from the standpoint of both the habitats. And it uses about three around 190,000 people. The water quality and quantity of water re- times as much water as they do. saved by reducing evapotranspira- sources. j There are no specific studies on the tion will naturally recharge the evapotranspiration rate of Arundo. groundwater aquifers and be avail-
Page 10 Summer 1998 CalEPPC News CalEPPC New Members CalEPPC would like to welcome the following individual and institutional members who have joined CalEPPC in the months from June 1998 through August 1998:
Debra Ayres Joshua Fodor Helen Johnson Cameron Barrows Josephine Guardino Eveline Leon Martin Michael Bostwick Evelyn Healy Craig Martz Alicia Doran Cheryl Ingersoll Steve Schoenig Suzanne Ebright Brewer International Adrian Wolf
Harmful Non-Indigenous Species in the United States, U.S. Congress, WEB SITE NOTICE Office of Technology Assessment, OTA-f-565, September 1993, is now Vegetation Maps available on the Web. It is the most complete treatement on the issue of invasive species. The URL is:
Summer 1998 Page 11 1999 CalEPPC Membership Form If you would like to join CalEPPC, please remit your calendar dues using the form provided below. All members will receive the CalEPPC newsletter, be eligible to join CalEPPC working groups, be invited to the annual symposium and participate in selecting future board members. Your personal involvement and financial support are the key to success. Additional contributions by present members are welcomed! q Status Individual Institutional Name q Retired/Student* $15.00 N/A Affiliation q Regular $25.00 $100.00 Address q Contributing $50.00 $250.00 City/State/Zip q Sustaining $250.00 $1000.00 Office Phone q Lifetime $1000.00 N/A Home Phone Please make your check payable to CalEPPC and mail with this application form to: Fax CalEPPC Membership email c/o Sally Davis 32912 Calle del Tesoro San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675-4427 * Students, please include current registration and/or class schedule
Calendar of Events
September 22-26 5th Annual Conference of the Wildlife Society, Buffalo, NY. Contact: 301.896.9770; email:
September 27 - 30 7th Workshop on Oak Physiology & Growth Problems in Oak Plantings, South lake Tahoe, CA. Sponsored by the Integrated Hardwood Range Management Program. Contact: Joni Rippee, 510.643.5429; fax 510.643.5438; email:
September 28 - 30 1998 Society for Ecological Restoration International Conference, Austin, TX. Contact; 608.262.9547; email:
October 1 - Jan 15 Watershed Management: A Distributed Learning Course Over the Internet. Sponsored by the Institute for Resources 7 Environment & Continuing Studies, University of British Columbia, Canada. Contact Professor H. Schreier: email:
October 2 -4 Working Together, Working Smarter: CalEPPC Symposium 98, Ontario, CA. Sponsored by the California Exotic Pest Plant Council. Contact: Sally Davis, 949.487.5427; email:
CALIFORNIA NON-PROFIT ORG. EXOTIC U.S. POSTAGE PAID PEST PLANT TRABUCO CANYON, CA COUNCIL PERMIT NO. 7 31872 Joshua Drive, #25D Trabuco Canyon, CA 92679-3112
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