Tucson Arundo Removal Project
Jim Washburne, SAHRA/AZrivers & Candice Rupprecht, Master Watershed Stewards
Washburne/Rupprecht Arundo Removal Project Tucson Arundo Removal
Mission: • To coordinate and facilitate the removal of Arundo donax in the Tucson area Goals: • Supervise removal activities • Educate the public about this threat • Protect the Sabino Creek riparian system • Encourage public participation
Washburne/Rupprecht Arundo Removal Project Arundo donax L
Giant Cane, Elephant Grass, Spanish Cane, Carrizo Cane • Monocot, Poaceae • Stalk and leaves resemble corn and is sometimes confused with Bamboo • Rapidly grows to 20 feet (3-4 in/day)
The d anger: • Giant reed can completely overwhelm native ChrisJames Evans, H. Miller, River USDA to River vegetation, which reduces wildlife habitat , increases fire risks and interferes with flood Washburne/Rupprecht control Arundo Removal Project Arundo donax L
Washburne/Rupprecht Arundo Removal Project USDA – NRCS Characteristics
• Moisture Use High => Precipitation, 35-65 in • Drought Tolerance Low • Temperature, Minimum (°F) 7 • Frost Free Days, Minimum 220
• Fire Tolerance High • Salinity Tolerance None • AbiTlMdiAnaerobic Tolerance Medium
•CaCO3 Tolerance Low • Planting Density per Acre, Maximum 7200 • Shade Tolerance Intermediate • Root Depth, Minimum (inches) 24 • Cold Stratification Required No
plants.usda.gov/java/charProfile?symbol=ARDO4 Washburne/Rupprecht Water Use
Fast growing Î thirsty Plant Water use Ratio [af/ac/yr] Arundo / Plant Aru ndo donax1 20 1 Tamarisk2 4-6 ~4 Alfalfa 5 ~4 Cottonwood3 ~2 ~10 Mesquite4 1-4 5-20
Washburne/Rupprecht Arundo Removal Project Invasive & Noxious
Introduced/Exotic • non-native species (most) Invasive & Noxious Weeds • A non-indigenous species that adversely affect the habitats they invade economically, environmentally or ecologically Characteristics • Hardy, drought tolerant, rapidly re-colonize disturbed areas, spreads readily, out competes native plants
Washburne/Rupprecht Arundo Removal Project Other Local Invasive Grasses
Buffelgrass – Pennisetum ciliare
Fountain grass – Pennisetum setaceum Washburne/Rupprecht Cheatgrass – Bromus tectorum Arundo Removal Project RANGE AND USES
Washburne/Rupprecht Arundo Removal Project Historical Range
• Mediterranean – Coastal areas • Tigris & Euphrates – Marsh lands • India – Himalayan foothills
plantsforuse.com Washburne/Rupprecht Arundo Removal Project Current Range
Discover Life: pick4.pick.uga.edu/
Washburne/Rupprecht Arundo Removal Project Historical uses
• Erosion control • Reed instruments • Paper •Basketry • Structures – wind/sun • Fishing rods • Arrow shafts • Ornamental
Marsh Arab hut iraqupdate.wordpress.com/2007/07/31/ Ref: plantsforuse.com Washburne/Rupprecht Arundo Removal Project Uses: Musical Instruments
"Canne de Provence“ • marshlands of Villepey , on the St Tropez peninsula, near Hyères.
www.azuralive.com/by_hyeres/
Washburne/Rupprecht Arundo Removal Project Uses: Bio fuel
www.progress-energy.com/ab out us/ news/ arti cl e.asp?id =14062
Proposed: $7500/ac bond ~$60 Million Washburne/Rupprecht Arundo Removal Project Uses: Medicinal
Bufotenine • A poisonous hallucinogenic alkaloid obtained from toads and some plants (answers.com) DMT - Dimethyltyrptamine • … allows you to break into another universe – known as hyperspace – that will be an experience that will change your life … Contact Dermatitis? •
Washburne/Rupprecht Arundo Removal Project Southwestern & MX Infestations
Rio Grande – Big Bend to Del Rio ~60,000 acres Texas?
LClRiLower Colo.River Cuatro Cienegas ~5,000 acres ~275 acres Washburne/Rupprecht Arundo Removal Project California Experience
San Joaquin & Sacramento San Luis Rey
Each watershed ~10,000 acres
Washburne/Rupprecht Arundo Removal Project Tucson Infestations
UA area Sabino Canyon Dr & Rillito
Rillito River W. Ina & Silverbell Santa Cruz River
Washburne/Rupprecht Arundo Removal Project WHY NOW?
Washburne/Rupprecht Arundo Removal Project June 2003 Aspen Fire
Washburne/Rupprecht Arundo Removal Project July 2006 Debris Flows
Washburne/Rupprecht Arundo Removal Project Sabino Creek flow
Washburne/Rupprecht Arundo Removal Project Washburne/Rupprecht Arundo Removal Project 2006 2008
Washburne/Rupprecht Arundo Removal Project wwwpaztcn.wr.usgs.gov/rsch_highlight/articles/200611.html Washburne/Rupprecht Arundo Removal Project REMOVAL STRATEGIES
Washburne/Rupprecht Arundo Removal Project Mechanical Control
Hammer/flail mower $1700/day
Washburne/Rupprecht Arundo Removal Project Chemical Control • Rodeo® (54% Glyphosate) – Cut – stump (Oct) (-76%) (-99%) – 100% applied to stem soon after cutting – Cut – spray (Sept) (-82%) (-50%var) – 1.5-2% foliar application – No cut - spray (-33%) – Con tro l (+21%)
Washburne/Rupprecht Arundo Removal Project More about Glyphosate
• Best applied just after flowering Toxiiicity: • Rana frogs & flathead minnow (Gly)
– 96-hr LC50 ~1200 mg/L – Actual values after 1hr ~ 0.1 mg/L • Bluegill sunfi sh & R ai nb ow t rout (R -11)
– 96-hr LC50 ~4.0 mg/L – Actual values after 1 hr ~ .013 mg/L • “poses no significant toxicity hazard to non-target fish and frog species”
Teamarundo.org/control_manage/DFG-EPAreport.html Washburne/Rupprecht Arundo Removal Project Biological Control
Arundo wasp • TtTetramesa romana litithlays its eggs in the cane stem, where the larva cause galls to form in the stem and kill the cane. Arundo fly • Cryptonevra sp . larva kill new plant shoots. Arundo scale • Rhizaspidiotus donacis feeds on the plant rhizomes.
Un-intended consequences?? Washburne/Rupprecht www.homelandsecurity.org/journal/Default.aspx?oid=154&ocat=1Arundo Removal Project Tools of the Trade
Washburne/Rupprecht Arundo Removal Project EXPERIENCE IN SABINO CANYON
Washburne/Rupprecht Arundo Removal Project Z 5
Z 4 AhAdkAreas where Arundo work was done 2007-2008 Hill Sabino Canyon, AZ Z 3 Dam Bridge Z2Z 2 Bear Bridge
Visitor Z 1 Center
Washburne/Rupprecht Arundo Removal Project Your mission …
Washburne/Rupprecht Arundo Removal Project Before After
Washburne/Rupprecht Arundo Removal Project Before After
Washburne/Rupprecht Arundo Removal Project Before
After
During Washburne/Rupprecht Arundo Removal Project Teamwork is required!
Washburne/Rupprecht Arundo Removal Project Cut to 10’, bundle, & remove
Cache stalks above high water level
Washburne/Rupprecht Arundo Removal Project CURRENT STATUS
Washburne/Rupprecht Arundo Removal Project Current Activities
• Finishing 2008-2009 action plan with USFS • Preparing/Buying field equipment • Spreading the word – groups, press • Training group leaders – again Sunday! • Promoting our first big public days on Sunday Nov. 2 & 9, and following first Sunday each month
Washburne/Rupprecht Arundo Removal Project Future Activities
• Lookingggp for other groups to work with around town • Assess effectiveness of removal efforts
Washburne/Rupprecht Arundo Removal Project Student Research projects
•How large a rhizome is viable? • Will a cut stalk regrow? • Does freezing a rhizome for 4 hrs affect its viability? • What percent of seed s germi nat e? • What percent of seeds become juveniles? • How effective is Rodeo?
Washburne/Rupprecht Arundo Removal Project Web site:www.sahra.arizona.edu/education2/arundo
Web site used to: • Inform public • Coordinate volunteers • Share best practices • Report progress • Provide additional information
Washburne/Rupprecht Arundo Removal Project www.sahra.arizona.edu/education2/arundo
Washburne/Rupprecht Arundo Removal Project Thank you!
Washburne/Rupprecht Arundo Removal Project Approximate locations of Arundo stands
Zone 4 Removed Remaining
Washburne/Rupprecht Arundo Removal Project Approximate locations of Arundo stands
Zone 1 Removed Remaining
Washburne/Rupprecht Arundo Removal Project Approximate locations of Arundo stands
Zone 2 Removed Remaining
Washburne/Rupprecht Arundo Removal Project