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 danger: • 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/a bou tus /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.