Invasive plants & their impacts

Invasive plants & their impactsTravis GalloThe Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Centerat the University of Texas at AustinWhat is an invasive species?An invasive species is defined as a species that is non-native (or alien) to the ecosystem under consideration and whose introduction causes or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health. (Executive Order 13112).

Carduus nutansNodding ThistleArundo donaxGiant ReedLonicera japonicaJapanese HoneysuckleAilanthus altissimaTree of HeavenWhy should we care?Invasive species threaten native plants and native plant communities.After habitat destruction, invasive species are the single largest cause of native plant extinction.The rate at which new, potentially invasive, species are being introduced is exponentially increasing.The U.S. spends approximately $135 billion on the control and management of invasive species

Pueraria montana var. lobata (Kudzu)Melia azedarach (Chinaberry Tree)Ecosystem Impacts

FIRE REGIMES

HYDROLOGY

EROSION

AQUATIC NUTRIENTS

Are all exotics invasive?The lag effect

Invasive Species TexasRauschuber C. 2002. List Appendix to Invasive Species - Texas.

How many invasives are in Texas?67 terrestrial plants12 aquatic/wetland plants10 mammals4 birds7 fishes11 insects11 mollusks and crustaceansWorst of the WorstSaltcedar (Tamarix spp.)Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata)Giant Salvinia (Salvinia molesta)Nutria (Myocaster coypus)Red Imported Fire Ant (Solenopsis invicta)Channeled Applesnail (Pomacea canaliculata)

www.texasinvasives.org/publications

TITLE 4.AGRICULTURE. Part 1. TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. Chapter 19. QUARANTINES AND NOXIOUS PLANTS 19.300.Noxious Plant List.

Botanical Name - Common NameOrobanche ramosa - broomrapeAlhagi camelorum - camelthornTriadica sebiferum - Chinese tallow treeCyperus entrerianus - deeprooted sedgeCarthamus lanatus - distaff thistleMyriophyllum spicatum - Eurasian watermilfoilSpirodela oligorrhiza - giant duckweedArundo donax - giant reedCalystegia sepium - hedge bindweedHydrilla verticillata - hydrillaRottboellia cochinchinensis - itchgrassCuscuta japonica - Japanese dodderBotanical Name - Common NamePueraria montana var. lobata - kudzuLagarosiphon major - lagarosiphonMelaleuca quinquenervia - paperbarkLythrum salicaria - purple loosestrifeEichhornia azurea - rooted waterhyacinthTamarix spp. - SaltcedarSalvinia spp. - SalviniaNassella trichotoma - Serrated tussockPanicum repens - TorpedograssSolanum viarum - Tropical soda appleIpomoea aquatica - water spinachCryptocoryne beckettii - water trumpetEichhornia crassipes - waterhyacinthPistia stratiotes - waterlettuceAlternanthera philoxeroides - alligatorweedCardiospermum halicacabum - balloonvineSchinus terebinthifolius - Brazilian peppertree

Texas Department of AgricultureTexas ChallengesA need for a definitive source for IS information in Texas.A need for more communication among the states IS stakeholdersA coordinated response to address IS on a statewide level has yet to materialize.There is a gap in our knowledge about the distribution and biology of IS.

Addressing the IssuesHow can we meet challenges?Help define the problem through information sharing and research Texas Invasive Plant and Pest Conference, TIPPC, Universities, AgriLife, etc.Raise public awareness through education and outreach The Wildflower Center, AgriLife, TPWD, & YouTake hands-on action to stop the spread of invasive species You!

Pennisetum ciliare - BuffelgrassWisteria sinensis - Chinese wisteriaGet Educated, Know your species, do something about it!What you can doSome common Invaders:Ligustrum spp. (5)ChinaberryNandinaTree-of-HeavenElephant EarJohnson grassLilac Chaste-treeJapanese honeysuckleEnglish IvyBamboosGiant Reed*Chinese Tallow*

* Not in trade but still spreading

Ligustrum spp.Two groupsBig leaf: L. lucidum, L. japonicumSmall leaf: L. sinense, L. quihoui, L. vulgareAll evergreenSpread by birds and other berry eating animalsImpact: Can replace forest with a mono-culture and quickly dominate an area Native Alternative: Yaupons, Coma, Possomhaw, Cherry laurel

L. vulgare (European privet)L. quihoui (wax-leaf privet) L. sinense (Chinese privet)Small-leaf Privets

Big-leaf PrivetsL. japonicum (Japanese Privet)L. lucidum (Glossy privet)Chinaberry (Melia azerdarach)

Extremely commonSpread by berries and root sproutsImpact: very fast growing, drought tolerant, and insect resistant, therefore can outcompetes native vegetationNative Alternative: Western SoapberryNandina (Nandina domestica)Evergreen shrub with red berriesSpread by root sprouts and berriesImpact: displaces native vegetation in shaded forestNative Alternative: Yaupon, Possomhaw, TX Persimmon

Tree-of-Heaven (Alianthus altissima)Prolific growerImpacts:Tree-of-heaven is a prolific seed producer, grows rapidly, and can overrun native vegetation.Once established, it can quickly take over a site and form an impenetrable thicket.Ailanthus trees also produces toxins that prevent the establishment of other plant species.The root system is aggressive enough to cause damage to sewers and foundationsNative Alternative: Pecan, Flame-leaf Sumac

Elephant Ear (Colocasia esculenta)Invading most riparian habitat and river edges (Town Lake)Impacts: Reduces native species along waters edge. Can drain small wet depressions.

Chinese Pistache (Pistacia chinensis)Very common for fall colorInvading urban preserves in AustinImpacts: Displaces native trees and can shade understory. Birds spread seeds far distancesNative Alternative: TX Pistache, Flame-leaf sumac, big-toothed maple, TX oak

Lilac Chaste-treeReduces native plant populations.Invades riparian and upland habitats (Lake Travis, BCP)Impact: Pushes out native brush speciesNative Alternative: Red Buckeye

Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) & English Ivy (Hedera helix)Both climbing vinesBoth evergreenImpacts:Both can kill trees by strangling and shadingBoth also grow along ground creating a ground cover shading out all understory growthNative Alternative: Coral honeysuckle, Caroline jessaman, Virginia creeper, 7 leaf Virginia creeper

Golden bamboo (Phyllostachys aurea)Very prolific growerReproduces from rhizomesImpacts:Creates a complete monocultureNon-food source for wildlifeProlific spreaderAttracts roaches in urban settingNative Alternative: Yaupons, Wax myrtle, native cane (Arundinaria)

Giant Reed (Arundo donax)One of the worst in the stateIllegal to sell, trade or trafficReproduces vegetativelyImpacts: destroys complete ecosystems and habitatsCreates a monocultureNon-food source for wildlife

Arundo Impacts

Chinese tallow (Triadica sebifera)Also illegal to sell, traffic or trade30% of Houstons urban forest canopyImpacts: Turns areas into monocultures if not managedLeafs are toxic to other plantsCreates a monotypic forest shading all undergrowth

ManagementTaking action!Five laws of Management and ControlCulturalPreventativeMechanicalChemicalBiocontrolCultural and PreventativeCulturalSmall scale-food cropsWater spinachGrowers growing cycles7 years outEducationNandina, bermudagrass, Ligustrums, etc.PreventativeDONT PLANT!Remove them when they show upMechanicalHand pullingTo a certain sizeWeed wrenchingVery effectiveBest method for avoiding herbicidesGrazingPrescribed Fire

http://www.weedwrench.com/

ChemicalFollow all labels and directionsDo not over useOnly use when neededBE SELECTIVEUSE PESTICIDES WISELY: ALWAYS READ THE ENTIRE PESTICIDE LABEL CAREFULLY, FOLLOW ALL MIXING AND APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS AND WEAR ALL RECOMMENDED PERSONAL PROTECTIVE GEAR AND CLOTHING. CONTACT YOUR STATE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOR ANY ADDITIONAL PESTICIDE USE REQUIREMENTS, RESTRICTIONS OR RECOMMENDATIONS. MENTION OF PESTICIDE PRODUCTS ON THIS WEB SITE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE ENDORSEMENT OF ANY MATERIAL.Direct Foliar SprayMost cost effectiveUsually done with a backpack sprayerUse foliar active herbicides Use proper nozzle for job and spray shield to avoid over driftMid-summer to fall is best, but

Stem Injection/Hack-n-squirtVery selective GOODGood for controlling larger trees where situation does not allow for full removalApplying water-based herbicide to downward cuts circling the base of the trunkBest in late winter through fallBe careful of root graphs and rain events

Cut and TreatAll around most effective (my opinion)For larger trees that can not be weed wrenchedCut at base and apply herbicide around edges of stump, very selective, very easy

Basal SpraysHerbicide-oil mix sprayed or daubed to the lower portion of trunkMust apply to bottom 12-14 all the way aroundApply before bark becomes corky and roughVery selective

Selecting Effective HerbicidesFolilar active (mostly)GlyphosateGarlon 3A (triclopyr)Garlon 4A (triclopyr)Krenite S (fosamine)Pathfinder II (triclopyr)Milestone VM (aminopyralid)Foliar and soil-activeArsenal AC (imazapyr)Escort XP (mesulfuron)Pathway (2, 4-D + picloram)Plateau (imazapic)Tordon 101 (2, 4-D + picloram)Tordon K (picloram)The most important step!!The Rehabilitation PhaseYou cant just cut down trees!Replanting and reseeding native species is vital to keep down re-sprouting invasives and hold soil

ResourcesEducate yourself, educate others!texasinvasives.orgDescriptions for 140 speciesControl methods for mostPublications and linksLady Bird Johnson Wildflower Centerwww.wildflower.orgNative plantsSuppliers list

ResourcesPlantwisewww.beplantwise.orgInvasive to Native TranslatorGardening tips to avoid invasives

Resourceswww.invasive.orgNonnative Invasive Plants of Southern Forest. By James H. MillerInvasive Plants. By Kaufman and Kaufman

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