Volunteer Efforts to Remove Arundo donax (Giant Reed) from Arundo donax (Giant Reed) from Sabino Canyon Jim Washburne UA-SAHRA*-AZrivers October 8, 2009 * Sustainability of semi-Arid Hydrology & Riparian Areas, an NSF Sci.&Tech. Ctr.
Volunteer Efforts to Remove Arundo donax (Giant Reed) from Arundo donax (Giant Reed) from
Sabino Canyon
Jim WashburneUA-SAHRA*-AZrivers
October 8, 2009
Washburne/RupprechtArundo Removal Project* Sustainability of semi-Arid Hydrology & Riparian Areas, an NSF Sci.&Tech. Ctr.
Desert splendor or Desert invader ?
Washburne/RupprechtArundo Removal Project
Tucson Arundo Removal
Mission:• To coordinate and facilitate the removal
of Arundo donax in the Tucson area• Effectively clear Sabino canyon by 2011Goals:Goals:• Supervise removal activities• Educate the public about this threatEducate the public about this threat• Encourage public participation• Protect our riparian ecosystems system
Washburne/Rupprecht
• Protect our riparian ecosystems system
Arundo Removal Project
THE PLANT
Washburne/RupprechtArundo Removal Project
Arundo donax L
Giant Cane, Elephant Grass, Spanish Cane, Carrizo Cane
• Monocot, Poaceae (grass)• Stalk and leaves resemble corn and is
sometimes confused with Bamboo• Rapidly grows to 20 feet (3-4 in/day)
O i i ll f M dit /P i G lf• Originally from Mediterranean/Persian Gulf• Introduced to area as:
– landscape plant, wind break, erosion control
James H. Miller, USDA Chris Evans, River to River
Washburne/Rupprecht
p p , ,
Arundo Removal Project
Arundo donax L
Washburne/RupprechtArundo Removal Project
Water UsePlant Water use
[af/ac/yr]Ratio
Arundo / Plant
A d d 1 20 1Arundo donax1 20 1Tamarisk2 4-6 ~4Alf lf 5 4Alfalfa 5 ~4Cottonwood3 ~2 ~10M it 4 1 4 5 20Mesquite4 1-4 5-20
Fast growing thirsty
Characteristics of invasive plants:Hardy, drought tolerant, rapidly re-colonize disturbed areas, spreads readily, out competes
Washburne/RupprechtArundo Removal Project
, p y, pnative plants, degrades natural habitat
it will continue to spread unless we take action
HOW BAD CANHOW BAD CANIT GET?
The problem:Gi d l l h l iGiant reed can completely overwhelm native
vegetation, which reduces wildlife habitat, increases fire risks and interferes with flood control
Washburne/RupprechtArundo Removal Project
Southwestern & MX Infestations
California~10,000 acres
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
Tucson Experience
UA area Sabino Canyon Dr & Rillito
Present in most central neighborhoods
Washburne/RupprechtArundo Removal Project
Rillito River
WHY NOW?
Washburne/RupprechtArundo Removal Project
June 2003 Aspen Fire
Washburne/RupprechtArundo Removal Project
July 2006 Debris Flows
2006 2008
Washburne/RupprechtArundo Removal Project
Effects of Scouring & Debris Flows
OUR EXPERIENCE IN SABINO
CANYONCANYON
Washburne/RupprechtArundo Removal Project
Team leader training
25 leaders trained to lead groups of 5-10lead groups of 5 10 people
Washburne/RupprechtArundo Removal Project
Field orientation…getting started
Washburne/RupprechtArundo Removal Project
Removing stalks & rootsRemoving stalks & roots
Before After 2 hours of workBefore After 2 hours of work
Washburne/RupprechtArundo Removal Project
Maintaining the flow
Washburne/RupprechtArundo Removal Project
Volunteers
Washburne/RupprechtArundo Removal Project
GPS Mapping
• Started May 2008y• ~500 stands mapped
Washburne/RupprechtArundo Removal Project
Clean-up
Washburne/RupprechtArundo Removal Project
Disposal Strategy?
Washburne/RupprechtArundo Removal Project
Other uses
Pascua Yaqui TribeTucson Permaculture Inst.Sonoran Kitchen Gardens
Washburne/RupprechtArundo Removal Project
So o c e G de sTucson Symphony
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/
Impact to date
2007-2008 2008-2009
Volunteers 54 542
Hours (@4hr/da) 216 2100+850
Bags 79 740
Bundles 100 (est) 910
Stands ~100
Fun Facts (2008-2009)( )@ $20/hr, about $42,000 of field volunteer time@ 1 bag/4 ft2, about 3,000 ft2 => only 55’x55’!!@ 20 stalks/bundle, about 18,200 stalks
Washburne/RupprechtArundo Removal Project
Progress as of 9/09 – Thanks!
Washburne/RupprechtArundo Removal Project
Can’t rest on our laurels …
Washburne/RupprechtArundo Removal Project
Danger – it keeps going
Washburne/RupprechtArundo Removal Project
OTHEROTHEREFFORTS
Washburne/RupprechtArundo Removal Project
Tucson Arundo Project – Area of Interest
SabinoCanyon
LegendWork areas
ActiveFuture
SantaCruz3 i Future3 mi
Washburne/RupprechtArundo Removal Project
Bear Creek – w/RFCD & TNC
Washburne/RupprechtArundo Removal Project
Rillito - West of Swan
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Craycroft to Sabino Canyon Dr
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REMOVAL REMOVAL STRATEGIES
Washburne/RupprechtArundo Removal Project
Tools of the Trade
Washburne/RupprechtArundo Removal Project
Herbicide Application
• After the winter field season, the USFS applied herbicide
• Targets new growth from stands cut & dug by volunteersby volunteers
Washburne/RupprechtArundo Removal Project
Chemical Control• Rodeo® (54% Glyphosate)
– Cut – stump (Oct) (-76%) (-99%)100% li d t t ft tti• 100% applied to stem soon after cutting
– Cut – spray (Sept) (-82%) (-50%var)• 1.5-2% foliar application (Sabino @ 5%)
N t ( 33%)– No cut - spray (-33%)– 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”
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non target fish and frog species
Arundo Removal Project
Teamarundo.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.
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Un-intended consequences??
Arundo Removal Projectwww.homelandsecurity.org/journal/Default.aspx?oid=154&ocat=1
WHY IT WORKS&
CURRENT STATUSCURRENT STATUS
Washburne/RupprechtArundo Removal Project
Collaboration / Leverage
Jim Washburne, time & resources
Candice Rupprecht, time & resources
Stan Helin, time & resources
Rice/Becker, coord.
Sh i B fi ld d &Sherrie Barfield, coord. & resources
Mark & Jean Hengesbaugh, time2
Phillip Bentley $1120 tool grantPhillip Bentley, $1120 tool grant
Kendall Kroesen, time & coord.
Washburne/RupprechtArundo Removal Project
…Pascal Yaqui
Why it works
• Compelling problem• Organizational core & expertise• Mutual interests• Access to basic resources• Strong volunteer networkg• Public support because of visible areas• Long-term focusLong term focus• Catching the problem in-time
– its doable!
Washburne/RupprechtArundo Removal Project
Future Activities
• Expand efforts to Rillito wash• Looking for other groups to work with
around town– Scouts– Neighborhood groups
• Join forces with permaculture communityA ff ti f l ff t• Assess effectiveness of removal efforts
• Study growth and herbicide factors
Washburne/RupprechtArundo Removal Project
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
www.sahra.arizona.edu/education2/arundo
Washburne/RupprechtArundo Removal Project
Other Local Invasive Grasses
Buffelgrass – Pennisetum ciliare
Washburne/RupprechtArundo Removal ProjectCheatgrass – Bromus tectorumFountain grass – Pennisetum setaceum
Bear Canyon / Hidden Valley
Washburne/RupprechtArundo Removal Project