Invasive Species & the WFD The case of Arundo donax Arielle Simmons Cecília Simões Eike Flebbe Lisboa, June 1st 2007 Melissa Parker
Objectives Political Strategies for Arundo Donax Removal Identify approaches to improve stakeholder awareness of Arundo Donax (canas) Create technical and economical strategies for removing Arundo Donax
Some species that grow in the Rio Real... Native Species Arundo plinii Non-native species Arundo donax Non-native species Grows with Arundo donax
What is Arundo donax? Tall, bamboo-like member of the grass family (Poaceae) Average height 4-6 meters. Can grow 10 cm a day. Originated in Northern India, Southern Nepal. Spreads asexually through the distribution of stem and root propagules during flood events The World Conservation Union (IUCN) has nominated Arundo Donax as one of the 100 worst invaders in the world.
Why Arundo should be removed? Rapid invader, rapid growth Consumes large quantities of water Very flammable Occupies habitat of native species Retains sediments and reduces channel capacity Increases water temperature through reduced shade canopy and elevated transpiration rates. Destructive to in-stream and bank infrastructure (i.e. Bridges) Negatively impacts the biodiversity of a river and it s riparian corridor.
Why is Arundo a problem? I. IV. II. III.
Why is Arundo a problem? I. N & P Cross Section I: An infestation of Arundo establishes on the narrow levee banks. Close proximity to high water and nutrient resources stimulates and increases Arundo growth, and quickly compromises resource availability (i.e. and ) for surrounding plant communities. Study: Coffman, G. 2007
Why is Arundo a problem? II. Cross Section II: The shallow rooting system of Arundo Donax compromises bank stability and increases bank undercutting. N & P
Why is Arundo a problem? Cross Section III: A high flow event destabilizes the levee, scouring out Arundo and all surrounding plant life. Sediment and H20 cover the surrounding farm land. N & P III.
Why is Arundo a problem? IV. N & P Cross Section IV: Arundo quickly re-establishes on the newly rebuilt levee. The fast growing Arundo shades out and compromises resources for the native riparian regrowth.
Where are aquatic invasives in Portugal? Importance of the main aquatic invasive species in agrarian regions of the country 100 Existence of invasive species (%) 80 60 40 20 Municipalities Agrarian Zone 0 Entre-Douro -e-minho Trás-os -Montes Beira Interior Beira Litoral Ribatejo e Oeste Alentejo Algarve Agrarian Regions Study: Vegetação dos Ecossistemas Dulciaquícolas. Estimativa do risco de infestações Francisca Aguiar, 1996
Where is Arundo in the Rio Real basin? Arundo donax ~ 68,3 ha Arundo donax in ~ 57 km of streams (Rio Real and tributaries) 60% of the public domain floodplain is invaded by Arundo Donax
Where ISN T Arundo in the Rio Real basin? Arundo and Phragmites are growing back! NOW!!! 2004
Where ISN T Arundo in the Rio Real basin? 2004 NOW!!! Very little Arundo, a lot of Salix and Ash... Possible reference conditions for the WFD good ecological status test?
Who is interested about invasive species? Existence of problems with aquatic invasive species Perception of the Surveyed Stakeholders Reply to the inquiries (%) 100 80 60 40 20 0 Municipalities Agrarian Zones Forest Zones Irrigation Associations Results of a survey sent to some entities who are responsible for the use of the hydrological resources and the territorial management of aquatic ecosystems Inquired entity Relation between the invasive species (Arundo donax and Phragmites australis) and the type of ecosystem Perceptions of different Stakeholders 60 Study: Vegetação dos Ecossistemas Dulciaquícolas. Estimativa do risco de infestações Francisca Aguiar, 1996 Existence of invasive species (%) 50 40 30 20 10 0 Rivers Freshw ater marsh Drainage channels Type of ecosystem Other ecosystems Municipalities Agrarian Zones Forest Zones Irrigation Association
Involved entities and legal instruments European Union Objective WFD: Good Ecological Status National Regional Ministério do Ambiente, do Ordenamento do Território e do Desenvolvimento Regional [MAOTDR] INAG CCDR Municipalities ICNB Law nº 58/2005, December 29 Water Law Transposition of Directive nº 2000/60/CE, that establishes the institutional bases for the sustainable management of water. Executive law nº 46/94, February 22 Changed by Executive law nº 234/98, July 21 Establishes the obligation of clean and unblock the streams Executive law nº 565/99, December 21 Regulates the introduction in nature of nonnative species Classify Arundo donax as invasive species
Hierarchy of Responsibilities Funds EU Portugal Ministry of Environment Ministry of Agriculture WFD application of Annex V Application of laws INAG ICNB CCDR Recommendations Municipalities Owner NPO (e.g. Real 21) Farmers/Irrigation Associations Application Awareness
Recommendations Arundo donax is a problem; It has legislation; It has techniques to remove Arundo and recovery riparian ecosystems; But... It s also important change the cultural perception of the problem. Promote a better application of law; Implement programs to supervise the application of laws, by Municipalities, with permits and fines; Use fines to finance the programs, contract employees, help the local economy and improve the ecological status; Inform the public, enforce land owner and farmers to reduce Arundo in riparian ecosystems.
How and where should we remove Arundo donax? Manual removal with hand tools Mechanical removal by low impact heavy equipment and chipping of biomass Excavation of rooting system Covering areas cleared of Arundo with heavy tarps to kill rooting system Reduce stimulation of Arundo growth by planting trees increase shading of infested areas Monitoring and maintenance
How and where should we remove Arundo donax? Removal should be done after spring in the early summer Removal efforts should begin upstream and continue downstream. Protected regions and areas with high endemic populations should be closely monitored and targeted for immediate Arundo donax removal. Bank stabilization to avoid erosion Planting of Native plant species
What should be done after removing? Stabilization of the banks through bio-engineering Re-vegetation with Native plant species Bank stabilization efforts should take place in winter and spring
What should be done after removing? Riparian tree species Salix sp. Fraxinus angustifolia Alnus glutinosa Populus nigra Ulmus minor Riparian shrub species Sambucus nigra Cydonia oblonga Crataegus monogyna Tamarix africana
Cost Estimate for Removal? Manual removal - 5 a 10 /m2 Equipment removal - 2 a 5 /m2 Excavation of roots - 10 a 20 /m2 Tarp material & Labor - 5 a 10 /m2
Recommendations of Land Uses in Riparian Habitats Planting of edible plants: fruit trees and shrubs Sambucus nigra; Cydonia oblonga; Rosa canina; Planting of medicinal and culinary herbs Crataeguys monogyna; Foeniculum vulgare; Nasturtium officinale; Equisetum ramosissimum; Geranium robertianum; Use of native riparian plant communities for Carbon sequestration Recreational spaces Animal habitats Improved water quality
Conclusions Arundo removal and analysis should be included with the implementation of the WFD in Portugal. In particular, Arundo and other aquatic invasives should be included in the quality metrics tests used to define good ecological status in all Portuguese river. Further research in Arundo is REQUIRED. Topics include: - Arundo removal using bioengineering soil/plantation techniques. - Replacing Arundo donax as a windbreak/bank stabilization mechanism with a native plant species (possibly Arundo plinii? Maybe Salix.?) - Further investigation into biocontrol methods for removing Arundo. - Investigate methods of increasing public participation (especially farmers) in the Arundo removal process.
Many Thanks to: UCB 229 Instructors (Matt, Stefan, Clara, Juliette, Ted), Tom Dudley (UCSB), Gretchen Coffman (UCLA), Noelle Johnson, Graça Saraiva, Rita Antunes, Our hosts in Bombarral/Cadaval, Illidio Moreira, Teresa Ferreira, Ana Monteiro, and ALL the LA 229 and IST/ISA/Portuguese Students!!!