Tucson Arundo Removal Project Tucson Arundo Removal Project Jim Washburne, SAHRA/AZrivers & Candice Rupprecht, Master Watershed Stewards Washburne/Rupprecht Arundo Removal Project
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
Washburne/RupprechtArundo 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)
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
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
Washburne/RupprechtArundo Removal Project
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
Historical Range
• Mediterranean– Coastal areas
• Tigris & Euphrates– Marsh lands
• India– Himalayan foothills
Washburne/RupprechtArundo Removal Project
plantsforuse.com
Historical uses
• Erosion control• Reed instruments• Paper• Basketry• Structures – wind/sun• Fishing rods• Arrow shaftsArrow shafts• Ornamental
Marsh Arab hut
Washburne/RupprechtArundo Removal Project
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
Washburne/RupprechtArundo Removal Project
Uses: Bio fuel
/ b t / / ti l ?id 14062www.progress-energy.com/aboutus/news/article.asp?id=14062
Washburne/RupprechtArundo Removal Project
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?•
Washburne/RupprechtArundo Removal Project
Southwestern & MX Infestations
Texas?Rio Grande – Big Bend to Del Rio
~60,000 acres
L C l Ri
Washburne/RupprechtArundo Removal Project
Cuatro Cienegas~275 acres
Lower Colo.River~5,000 acres
California ExperienceSan Joaquin & Sacramento San Luis Rey
Each watershed~10,000 acres
Washburne/RupprechtArundo Removal Project
Tucson Infestations
UA area Sabino Canyon Dr & Rillito
Rillito River
Santa Cruz RiverW. Ina &Silverbell
Washburne/RupprechtArundo 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%)
C t l (+21%)– Control (+21%)
Washburne/RupprechtArundo Removal Project
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
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
Washburne/RupprechtArundo Removal Project
Center
Cut to 10’,bundle,,
& remove
Cache stalks abovehigh water level
Washburne/RupprechtArundo Removal Project
high water level
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/RupprechtArundo Removal Project
Future Activities
• Looking for other groups to work g g pwith around town
• Assess effectiveness of removalAssess effectiveness of removal efforts
Washburne/RupprechtArundo Removal Project
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
Washburne/RupprechtArundo Removal Project
Approximate locations of Arundo stands
Removed
Remaining
Zone 4
Washburne/RupprechtArundo Removal Project
Approximate locations of Arundo stands
Zone 1Removed
Remaining
Zone 1
Washburne/RupprechtArundo Removal Project