Tucson Jim Washburne, SAHRA/AZrivers & Candice Rupprecht, Master Watershed Stewards
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
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 vegetation, which reduces wildlife habitat, increases fire risks and interferes with flood control James H. Miller, USDA Chris Evans, River to River
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 Anaerobic Tolerance Medium CaCO 3 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
Plant Water Use Fast growing thirsty Water use [af/ac/yr] Ratio Arundo / Plant Arundo donax 1 20 1 Tamarisk 2 4-6 ~4 Alfalfa 5 ~4 Cottonwood 3 ~2 ~10 Mesquite 4 1-4 5-20
Introduced/Exotic non-native species Invasive & Noxious (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
Other Local Invasive Grasses Buffelgrass Pennisetum ciliare Cheatgrass Bromus tectorum Fountain 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 shafts Ornamental Ref: plantsforuse.com Marsh Arab hut iraqupdate.wordpress.com/2007/07/31/
Uses: Musical Instruments "Canne de Provence marshlands of Villepey, on the St Tropez peninsula, near Hyères. www.azuralive.com/by_ hyeres/
Uses: Bio fuel www.progress-energy.com/aboutus/news/article.asp?id=14062 / / ti 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 as hyperspace that will be an experience that will change your life Contact Dermatitis?
Southwestern & MX Infestations Rio Grande Big Bend to Del Rio ~60,000 acres Texas? Cuatro Cienegas ~275 acres Lower Colo.River ~5,000 acres
California Experience San Joaquin & Sacramento San Luis Rey Each watershed ~10,000 acres
Tucson Infestations UA area Sabino Canyon Dr & Rillito W. Ina & Silverbell Rillito River Santa Cruz River
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 STRATEGIES
Mechanical Control Hammer/flail mower $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%) Control (+21%)
More about Glyphosate Best applied just after flowering Toxicity: ii Rana frogs & flathead minnow (Gly) 96-hr LC 50 ~1200 mg/l Actual values after 1hr ~ 0.1 mg/l Bluegill sunfish & Rainbow trout t (R-11) 96-hr LC 50 ~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
Arundo wasp Biological Control Tt 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. Arundo scale Rhizaspidiotus donacis feeds on the plant rhizomes. Un-intended consequences?? www.homelandsecurity.org/journal/default.aspx?oid=154&ocat=1
Tools of the Trade
EXPERIENCE IN SABINO CANYON
Z 5 Z 4 Areas where Arundo work was done 2007-2008 Hill Sabino Canyon, AZ Z 3 Dam Bridge Z2 Bear Bridge Visitor Z 1 Center
Your mission
Before After
Before After
Before After During
Teamwork is required!
Cut to 10, bundle, & remove Cache stalks above 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 with around town Assess effectiveness of removal efforts
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 seeds germinate? What percent of seeds become juveniles? How effective is Rodeo?
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 Zone 4 Removed Remaining
Approximate locations of Arundo stands Zone 1 Removed Remaining
Approximate locations of Arundo stands Zone 2 Removed Remaining