Tucson Arundo Removal Project - University of Arizonaweb.sahra.arizona.edu/education2/arundo/docs/ArundoSCVN_talk.pdf · Tucson Arundo Removal Project Jim Washburne, ... • Wh t

Tucson Arundo Removal ProjectTucson Arundo Removal Project

Jim Washburne, SAHRA/AZrivers

&Candice Rupprecht, Master Watershed Stewards

Washburne/RupprechtArundo Removal Project

Tucson Arundo Removal

Mission:• To coordinate and facilitate the removal

of Arundo donax in the Tucson areaGoals:• Supervise removal activitiesSupervise removal activities• Educate the public about this threat• Protect the Sabino Creek riparian systemProtect the Sabino Creek riparian system• Encourage public participation


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)

Th dThe danger:• Giant reed can completely overwhelm native

vegetation which reduces wildlife habitat

James H. Miller, USDA Chris Evans, River to River

Washburne/Rupprecht

vegetation, which reduces wildlife habitat, increases fire risks and interferes with flood control Arundo Removal Project

Arundo donax L


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

A bi T l M di• Anaerobic Tolerance Medium• CaCO3 Tolerance Low • Planting Density per Acre, Maximum 7200• Shade Tolerance Intermediate • Root Depth, Minimum (inches) 24 • Cold Stratification Required No

Washburne/Rupprecht

Cold Stratification Required No

plants.usda.gov/java/charProfile?symbol=ARDO4

Water Use

Fast growing thirsty

Plant Water use[af/ac/yr]

RatioArundo / Plant

Ar ndo dona 1 20 1Arundo donax1 20 1Tamarisk2 4-6 ~4Alfalfa 5 4Alfalfa 5 ~4Cottonwood3 ~2 ~10Mesquite4 1 4 5 20Mesquite 1-4 5-20


Invasive & Noxious

Introduced/Exotic• non-native species(most) Invasive & Noxious Weeds(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

native plants

Arundo Removal Project

Other Local Invasive Grasses

Buffelgrass – Pennisetum ciliare

Washburne/RupprechtArundo Removal ProjectCheatgrass – Bromus tectorumFountain grass – Pennisetum setaceum

RANGE AND USES


Historical Range

• Mediterranean– Coastal areas

• Tigris & Euphrates– Marsh lands

• India– Himalayan foothills


plantsforuse.com

Current Range


Discover Life: pick4.pick.uga.edu/

Historical uses

• Erosion control• Reed instruments• Paper• Basketry• Structures – wind/sun• Fishing rods• Arrow shaftsArrow shafts• Ornamental

Marsh Arab hut


Ref: plantsforuse.com

Marsh Arab hutiraqupdate.wordpress.com/2007/07/31/

Uses: Musical Instruments

"Canne de Provence“• marshlands of Villepey on themarshlands of Villepey, on the St Tropez peninsula, near Hyères.

www.azuralive.com/by hyeres/y_ y


Uses: Bio fuel

/ b t / / ti l ?id 14062www.progress-energy.com/aboutus/news/article.asp?id=14062


Proposed: $7500/ac bond~$60 Million

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 asanother universe known as hyperspace – that will be an experience that will change your life …y

Contact Dermatitis?•


Southwestern & MX Infestations

Texas?Rio Grande – Big Bend to Del Rio

~60,000 acres

L C l Ri


Cuatro Cienegas~275 acres

Lower Colo.River~5,000 acres

California ExperienceSan Joaquin & Sacramento San Luis Rey

Each watershed~10,000 acres


Tucson Infestations

UA area Sabino Canyon Dr & Rillito

Rillito River

Santa Cruz RiverW. Ina &Silverbell


WHY NOW?


June 2003 Aspen Fire


July 2006 Debris Flows


Sabino Creek flow



2006 2008



wwwpaztcn.wr.usgs.gov/rsch_highlight/articles/200611.html

REMOVAL REMOVAL STRATEGIES


Mechanical Control

Hammer/flail mower$1700/d


$1700/day

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%)

C t l (+21%)– Control (+21%)


More about Glyphosate

• Best applied just after floweringi iToxicity:

• Rana frogs & flathead minnow (Gly)– 96-hr LC50 ~1200 mg/L– Actual values after 1hr ~ 0.1 mg/L

Bl ill fi h & R i b t t (R 11)• Bluegill sunfish & Rainbow trout (R-11)– 96-hr LC50 ~4.0 mg/L

Actual values after 1 hr ~ 013 mg/L– Actual values after 1 hr ~ .013 mg/L

• “poses no significant toxicity hazard to non-target fish and frog species”

Washburne/Rupprecht

non target fish and frog species

Arundo Removal ProjectTeamarundo.org/control_manage/DFG-EPAreport.html

Biological Control

Arundo waspT t l it i th• Tetramesa romana lays 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. yp p p

Arundo scale• Rhizaspidiotus donacis feeds on the plantRhizaspidiotus donacis feeds on the plant

rhizomes.

Washburne/Rupprecht

Un-intended consequences??

Arundo Removal Projectwww.homelandsecurity.org/journal/Default.aspx?oid=154&ocat=1

Tools of the Trade


EXPERIENCE IN EXPERIENCE IN SABINO CANYON


Z 5

Z 4A h A d kAreas where Arundo work

was done 2007-2008Sabino Canyon, AZHill

Z 2

Z 3Dam Bridge

Z 2

Visitor Z 1Bear Bridge


Center

Your missionYour mission …


Before AfterBefore After


Before AfterBefore After


BeforeBefore

After


During

Teamwork is required!


Cut to 10’,bundle,,

& remove

Cache stalks abovehigh water level


high water level

CURRENT STATUS


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


Future Activities

• Looking for other groups to work g g pwith around town

• Assess effectiveness of removalAssess effectiveness of removal efforts


Student Research projects

• How large a rhizome is viable?g• Will a cut stalk regrow?• Does freezing a rhizome for 4 hrs• Does freezing a rhizome for 4 hrs

affect its viability?Wh t t f d i t ?• What percent of seeds germinate?

• 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


www.sahra.arizona.edu/education2/arundo


Thank you!


Approximate locations of Arundo stands

Removed

Remaining

Zone 4



Zone 1Removed

Remaining

Zone 1



Zone 2Removed

Remaining

Zone 2


Documents

Tucson Arundo Removal Project - University of Arizonaweb.sahra.arizona.edu/education2/arundo/docs/ArundoSCVN_talk.pdf · Tucson Arundo Removal Project Jim Washburne, ... • Wh t