Invasive Species

Koa Forest Threats

VincentD — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 16:58:17 GMT

Join CTAHR and NREM faculty JB Friday and Travis Idol as they illustrate the threats to Koa forest at Kokee on Kauai. See the video on YouTube - here:

YouTube Video on the threat of Strawberry Guava

VincentD — Fri, 29 May 2009 21:52:40 GMT

Sam Gon of the Nature Conservancy has prepared a short video about the threat of Strawberry Guava to our native forests. View it on YouTube here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pAh-At0HdM

Strawberry Guava Biocontrol Factsheet.

VincentD — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 18:33:37 GMT

Resolutions have been introduced into the Hawaii State Legislature requesting a 5 year moratorium on the proposed use of an imported scale insect as a biocontrol agent to slow down the spread of strawberry guava or waiwai. The legislation - HCR249, HR218 and SCR157, SR108 (click on the bills to read the text) have introduced into the 2009 Legislative Session. So far no hearings have been scheduled to date. The Conservation Council of Hawaii has additional information, including a fact sheet on biocontrol of strawberry guava. The Pacific Southwest Research Station of the USDA Forest Service also has information on biocontrol of strawberry guava.

Worldwide airline network and the dispersal of exotic species

VincentD — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 23:34:23 GMT

Don't make plans for travel in June 2010. In a study to be published in Ecography, Dr. Andrew Tatem of Oxford University has predicted that June 2010 will be a busy month for the movement of invasive alien species. Read the Science Daily report on the study. The published abstract is available from Wiley InterScience and an "early view of the paper, entitled "The worldwide airline network and the dispersal of exotic species: 2007-2010" is available as well. The DOI citation is: doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0587.2008.05588.x

Nature Conservancy Drops Global Invasive Species Team

VincentD — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 22:10:51 GMT

From the Invasive Species Weblog:

The Sadlands

The Nature Conservancy has summarily dismantled what had to be one of the best and most prolific resources for invasive species information on the internet, the Global Invasive Species Team. That means no more newsletters, no new website updates, no support for the palmtop computer-based Weed Information Management System, and, most likely, no new Element Stewardship Abstracts. It also means that several people dedicated to making it just a little easier for everyone to deal with invasive species have lost their jobs. Hopefully the Weed Control Methods Handbook, the voluminous Management Library, Rod Randall's massive weed database, and other tools, housed on UC Davis servers, will remain live for the long term. Read the details here.

Weed US - a new invasive weed database (including Hawaii)

VincentD — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 01:38:39 GMT

Weed US is a new website with a database about invasive plant species.

This website is a collaborative project between the Plant Conservation Alliance's Alien Plant Working Group and the University of Georgia - Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health. The project will eventually expand to allow volunteers to provide distribution information on infestations of species in the database.

WeedUS is a database of information about plants that invade natural areas in the U.S. (including Hawaii). It is intended as an informational and educational tool. Non-native invasive plants degrade natural areas by out-competing native plants for resources and space. The changes they bring can affect things like the amount and quality of food and nesting sites available for wildlife, the extent and survival of native plant populations, the quality and functions of wetlands and waterways, and the appearance and enjoyment of natural landscapes. WeedUS is just one step in the effort to combat invasive plants and preserve our native plants, animals, and landscapes. Information in the WeedUS database is compiled from a wide variety of sources including published and unpublished lists, reports, surveys, and personal observations from experts in the field. Sources include the National Park Service, other federal, state and local agencies, Exotic Pest Plant Councils, Invasive Species Councils and related organizations, The Nature Conservancy, and others.

The purpose of this database is informational and educational and it is neither intended nor approved for use as a regulatory tool. Many of the species in the database are economically important horticultural plants but sometimes cause problems when they escape and establish in natural areas.

Join the WeedUS listserv to stay updated on improvements and additions to the site.

If you have questions about WeedUS, please contact the Alien Plant Working Group Chairperson, Jil Swearingen

Pacific Invasive Ants Key

VincentD — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 03:01:49 GMT

The Pacific Invasive Ant Key is an illustrated identification guide for invasive ant species commonly encountered in the Pacific Island region. The program is sponsored by USDA APHIS PPQ Center for Plant Health Science and Technology and the University of California at Davis.

USDA releases Grant and Partnership Programs that Address Invasive Species

VincentD — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 00:57:45 GMT

The USDA and the National Agriculture Library have released their 2009 report "U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Grant and Partnership Programs that Can Address Invasive Species Research, Technical Assistance, Prevention and Control." This workbook contains basic information on programs in USDA that could be used to fund invasive species related projects. This list is a helpful place to start a search for resources for invasive species activities.

Horticultural Industry as a Vector for Invasive Snails and Slugs

VincentD — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 22:24:32 GMT

You may have seen the news reports about the horticultural industry serving as a vector for invasive slugs and snails into Hawaii, including this one from the Sunday, November 30, 2008 Honolulu Advertiser. Dr. Robert Cowie and his colleagues surveyed 40 nurseries, botanical gardens and other facilities involved in the cultivation of plants across the Hawaii Islands. In their survey, published in the International Journal of Pest Management Vol. 54(4):267-276, found 31 terrestrial snail and slug species, all but two of them were considered "alien" and five of the 31 were previously unreported. Certain species were more common on Oahu.

Figure 1. Location of snail/slug surveys (from Cowie et al. 2008)

You can download Dr. Cowie's paper from the International Journal of Pest Management via the University of Hawaii at Manoa Hamilton Library, click on Electronic Journals and Books, enter the journal name in the search box and then follow the log-in prompts.

The citation of the paper is:

Cowie, R.H., K.A. Hayes, C.T. Tran, Meyer III, W.M. 2008. The horticultural industry as a vector of alien snails and slugs: widespread invasions in Hawaii. Int. J. Pest Manage. 54:267-276. DOI: 10.1080/09670870802403986

Union of Concerned Scientists Invasive Species Report

VincentD — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 21:27:15 GMT

The Union of Concerned Scientists has just released it's latest report, this time, on the impacts and costs of Invasive Species in Ohio: Pathways, Policies and Costs. This is a series of reports by UCS on Invasive Species in various states, following reports in Alaska, West Virginia, and Texas.

Hawaii Invasive Species Council Research Proposals Due January 5, 2009

VincentD — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 01:57:04 GMT

Hawaii Invasive Species Council has just recently released it's RFP for research grants on invasive species. It is best to have your proposal specifically address priorities listed in the 2008-2013 Strategic Plan. The contact person for this program is:

Chris Buddenhagen
Hawaii Invasive Species Council Coordinator
christopher.e.buddenhagen@hawaii.gov
http://www.hawaiiinvasivespecies.org/hisc/
808 587 4154

Possible funding opportunity - DoD SERDP program

VincentD — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 00:34:55 GMT

The Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP) is the Department of Defense's (DoD) environmental science and technology program, planned and executed in full partnership with the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency, with participation by numerous other federal and non-federal organizations. The address the highest priority issues confronting the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines, SERDP focuses on cross-service requirements and pursues high-risk/high-payoff solutions to the Departments most intractable environmental problems. The development and application of innovative environmental technologies support the long-term sustainability of DoD's training and t esting ranges as well as significantly reduce current and future environmental liabilities.

SERDP released its annual CORE and SEED solicitations. SERDP Core statements of need (SON) are: Environmental Restoration, Munitions Management, Suitable Infrastructure and Weapon Systems and Platforms. SEED SONs are Munitions Management, Sustainable Infrastructure and Weapons Systems and Platforms. SERDP has particular interest in innovative control/eradication of brown tree snake. Pre-proposals for the CORE from the non-federal sector are due January 8, 2009. SERDP SEED proposals are due March 12, 2009.

Does your bird feeder contribute to invasive weeds?

VincentD — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 02:16:23 GMT

From the Weed Science Society:

Is Your Bird Feeder a Weed Seeder? Simple Steps Protect Farms and Gardens

If you have a backyard bird feeder, you've probably noticed weeds sprouting on the ground beneath it. Now researchers have determined that the type of feed you use may be to blame. There are simple steps you can take to control the problem, though, and keep weeds from spreading.

Lawrence, Kansas (PRWEB) October 13, 2008 -- Are weeds sprouting beneath your backyard bird feeder? If so, researchers say the type of feed you use may be to blame.

In studies at Oregon State University, scientists examined 10 brands of wild bird feed commonly sold in retail stores. The samples contained seeds from more than 50 weed species - including 10 ranked among Oregon's most noxious weeds. Each brand tested contained weed seeds, with six different weed species found in half or more of the samples.

"Once a weed seed drops from the feeder to the ground and sprouts, it has the potential to flower and spread," said Dr. Jed Colquhoun, associate professor at the University of Wisconsin - Madison, formerly with Oregon State University. "In fact, when we informally questioned landowners and farmers to investigate the spread of a relatively new weed in the Pacific Northwest - velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti) - we found it is growing in the soil beneath backyard bird feeders."

In a short-term study of what happens when stray bird feed drops to the soil, about 30 weed species sprouted in just 28 days. Between three and 17 weed species grew from each of the 10 brands of feed tested.

So how can you minimize the spread of new or invasive weeds that originate in bird feed? There are several simple strategies to consider:

* Use a tray attachment under your feeder to keep seeds off the ground.

* Select foods that won't sprout, such as sunflower hearts, peanuts, peanut butter, raisins, mealworms and plain suet cakes.

* Look for treated wild bird food mixtures. Many manufacturers are now baking their products to kill weed seeds, using guidelines established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. So read product labels carefully to make certain you buy a treated brand.

* Keep an eye out for weeds under your feeder and pull them before they can flower and spread.

* If you use a wild bird food blend that contains a variety of seeds, contact the producer or talk to your local retailer to discuss what measures are taken to ensure the product is free of invasive weed seeds.

Jed Colquhoun was lead researcher for the bird feed study in cooperation with Carol Mallory-Smith, a professor at Oregon State University. The work was funded by the Agricultural Research Foundation at Oregon State University.

About the Weed Science Society of America:

The Weed Science Society of America, a nonprofit professional society, was founded in 1956 to encourage and promote the development of knowledge concerning weeds and their impact on the environment. The Weed Science Society of America promotes research, education and extension outreach activities related to weeds, provides science-based information to the public and policy makers, and fosters awareness of weeds and their impacts on managed and natural ecosystems. For more information, visit www.wssa.net.

Ten Noxious Weeds Found in the Bird Seed Evaluated in the Oregon Study:

Buffalobur (Solanum rostratum Dunal)

Bull thistle (Cirsium vulgare)

Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense)

Common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia)

Dodder (Cuscuta spp.)

Field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis)

Jointed goatgrass (Aegilops cylindrica)

Kochia (Kochia scoparia)

Puncturevine (Tribulus terrestris)

Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti)

###

Integrating Invasive Species Prevention and Control Policies

VincentD — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 17:37:24 GMT

USDA Economic Research Service has released a new report entitled "Integrating Invasive Species Prevention and Control Policies."

Wildland Fire Impacts on Ecosystems and Invasive Plant Species

VincentD — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 03:49:34 GMT

From the USDA Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station

Zouhar, Kristin; Smith, Jane Kapler; Sutherland, Steve; Brooks, Matthew L. 2008. Wildland fire in ecosystems: fire and nonnative invasive plants. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-42-vol. 6. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 355 p.

This state-of-knowledge review of information on relationships between wildland fire and nonnative invasive plants can assist fire managers and other land managers concerned with prevention, detection, and eradication or control of nonnative invasive plants. The 16 chapters in this volume synthesize ecological and botanical principles regarding relationships between wildland fire and nonnative invasive plants, identify the nonnative invasive species currently of greatest concern in major bioregions of the United States, and describe emerging fire-invasive issues in each bioregion and throughout the nation. This volume can help increase understanding of plant invasions and fire and can be used in fire management and ecosystem-based management planning. The volume's first part summarizes fundamental concepts regarding fire effects on invasions by nonnative plants, effects of plant invasions on fuels and fire regimes, and use of fire to control plant invasions. The second part identifies the nonnative invasive species of greatest concern and synthesizes information on the three topics covered in part one for nonnative invasives in seven major bioregions of the United States: Northeast, Southeast, Central, Interior West, Southwest Coastal, Northwest Coastal (including Alaska), and Hawaiian Islands. The third part analyzes knowledge gaps regarding fire and nonnative invasive plants, synthesizes information on management questions (nonfire fuel treatments, postfire rehabilitation, and postfire monitoring), summarizes key concepts described throughout the volume, and discusses urgent management issues and research questions.

Keywords: ecosystem, fire effects, fire management, fire regime, fire severity, fuels, grass/fire cycle, invasibility, invasiveness, monitoring, nonnative species, plant community

2008 PREISM Workshop - October 23-24, 2008 Washington DC

VincentD — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 17:51:28 GMT

USDA Economic Research Service and the Farm Foundation is sponsoring the 2008 USDA ERS Program of Research on the Economics of Invasive Species Management (PREISM) Workshop. The Workshop will be held in Washington, DC on October 23-24, 2008 at the Waugh Auditorium, ERS, 1800 M Street NW, Washington DC. The Workshop is free and open to the public but registration is required. A preliminary agenda is available.

USGS Briefing on the Challenge of Invasive Species

VincentD — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 20:27:17 GMT

The US Geological Survey is hosting a series of briefings for members of Congress and their staffs. Keeping within their theme of Climate Change, they will be holding a briefing on "The Challenge of Invasive Species" on September 19, 2008 at 9:30 am in the Rayburn House Office Building, room 2325. Speakers are:

Pam Fuller, USGS, Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database Manager, Invasive Species Program.
Mike Pellant, U.S. Department of Interior, Great Basin Restoration Initiative Coordinator, Bureau of Land Management
Gary Whelan, Fish Production Manager, Fisheries Division, Michigan Department of Natural Resources

Check back for uploaded PowerPoints.

National Invasive Species Committee seeks your input.

VincentD — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 02:23:23 GMT

From Invasive Notes: The Fifth conveninig of the National Invasive Species Advisory Committee is seeking your input as it prepares for a meeting in November 18-19, 2008. The Invasive Species Advisory Committee is made up of 31 individuals representing a broad range of stakeholders including scientific, conservation, agriculture, State and Tribal governments and industry organizations that are impacted by invasive species. Dr. Celia Smith of UH-M Department of Botany is a member of the advisory committee. The meeting will be the first meeting since the approval of the 2008 National Invasive Species Management Plan.

Invasive Weed Impact Calculator

VincentD — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 02:39:06 GMT

Dr. Matthew Rinella, of the USDA-ARS, Livestock and Range Research Laboratory at Miles City, MT has developed an Invasive Weed Impact Calculator. See the technical paper on the development of this model, published in Biological Invasions.

Economics of Terrestrial Invasive Species

VincentD — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 19:56:46 GMT

The National Invasive Species Information Center informs us of a new publication available "The Economics of Terrestrial Invasive Species: A Review of the Literature". Originally published in 2006 in Agricultural and Resources Economics Review. The National Invasive Species Information Center maintains an archive on the economic impacts of invasive species.

Invasive Species Management Plans, by Geography

VincentD — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 21:15:59 GMT

The USDA National Agriculture Library National Invasive Species Information Center provides links to Invasive Species Management Plans, sorted by geographic location and by species. Information for Hawaii can be found here. The information is somewhat dated, so perhaps a better place to find new information is the Hawaii Invasive Species Council.

New items from the National Invasive Species Information Center

VincentD — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 07:58:37 GMT

Some new items from the USDA National Agriculture Library National Invasive Species Information Center:

Ecological Approaches to Managing Invasive Plants: A 2 day course, September 25-26, 2008 at the Coast Hillcrest Hotel, Revelstoke, BC.
Little Brown Apple Moth - California Department of Food and Agriculture: Eradication Plan
Little Brown Apple Moth - Species Profile
California Department of Food and Agriculture announces Mediterranean Fruit Fly has been eradicated.

Another reason to keep the Brown Tree Snake out of Hawaii!

VincentD — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 17:40:16 GMT

Photo courtesy of National Park Service

We have all known about the impact of the brown tree snake on the bird life in Guam but a new study presented at the recent Ecological Society of America annual meeting indicates that the brown tree snake is having an impact on the make up of the forests in Guam. Although forest birds make up a small percentage of the biomass in a forest ecosystem, they provide considerable "service" to the forest through control of insect predators and dispersal of seeds. In a paper entitled "The impact of bird loss on seed dispersal in the forests of Guam" by Rogers, Tewksbury and Hille Ris Lambers of the University of Washington, they examined the impact of the loss of forest birds, due to brown tree snake predation in Guam on seed dispersal and the development of seedlings in the affected forests. Seed dispersal of the native bird dispersed tree species were found primarily within 2 meters and exclusively within 5 meters of the conspecific adult trees on Guam. When seed dispersal was compared to the same trees on Rota and Saipan, islands with birds, seedlings were found two to three times further away from the nearest conspecific tree. See the press release from University of Washington.

Global Invasive Species Information Network - Updated

VincentD — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 19:29:56 GMT

The Global Invasive Species Information Network has just published a listing of over 250 links to web accessible invasive species links. Originally published in 2004, it was recently updated (August 14, 2008). The site "contains a list of Internet-accessible databases and information systems providing species, bibliographic, taxonomic, expertise, distributions, images and many other information types as they pertain to invasive, exotic, alien, introduced, non-native species and all other species of world flora and fauna."

US Fish and Wildlife Service to hold Invasive Plant Management Course

VincentD — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 17:11:43 GMT

The US Department of Interior and US Fish and Wildlife Service will be holding a course entitled "Field Techniques for Invasive Plant Management, November 3, 2008 - November 7, 2008 at the Kilauea Military Camp on the Island of Hawaii. The course, MTWTrF, will run 8:00 am through 5:00 pm. To apply on-line, go here: http://doilearn.doi.gov/training/classscheduler/index.cfm?Fuseaction=Home.CourseDetails&intCSCourseID=1333&AddPopularity=1

Class Details: Please scroll down to view additional class dates

Class:

FWS-2008-1103-NCTC WLD2139

Class Dates:

11/03/2008 - 11/07/2008 M Tu W Tr F

Class Times:

8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Course:

Field Techniques for Invasive Plant Managemen

Course Code:

FWS-WLD2139

Course Description:

This course introduces participants to invasive plant management at the field level. Instruction will include invasive plant ecology; road maintenance and its influence on the introduction and distribution of invasives; mapping and monitoring invasive plants; invasive control methods; the proper and safe use of recommended equipment; and applicable Refuge System policy. Other topics include preparing pesticide use proposals, interpreting herbicide labels, and identifying Best Management Practices. College Credit: 2 semester hours.

Categories:

Natural Resource Management

Course Objectives:

o Identify the characteristics of invasive plants and describe their impacts on the landscape;
o List and describe invasive plant vectors and pathways;
Understand FWS policy for pesticide use, including applicable laws and authorities and certification requirements;
o Interpret pesticide labels and identify elements required for Pesticide Use Proposals;
o Recognize and record invasive plant sites on the landscape using North American Weed Management Association standards;
o Conduct a site evaluation, including identifying target species and discerning proper control method(s) and timing regimes for effective invasive plant control;
o Demonstrate ability to develop and maintain a record keeping system for invasive plant treatment; and
o Demonstrate proper selection and use of equipment, including calibration of dispensing equipment and application of herbicides according to product labels and guidelines.

Target Audience:

Refuge managers, biologists, Managers, biologists, other refuge staff (especially refuge maintenance staff), and natural resource professionals who are interested in beginning or expanding an invasive plant management program.

General Information:

Course Tuition:

$850.00

Classroom (Location):

Kilauea Military Camp Conference Room-Large (NPS-HAVO (Hawaii Volcanoes NP))

Primary Contact:

Name:	KAREN LINDSEY
Email:	karen_lindsey@fws.gov
Phone:	304-876-7436

Secondary Contact:

Name:	DAVE LEMARIE
Email:	dave_lemarie@fws.gov
Phone:	304-876-7490

Other Contact:

Not Available

Students Registered:

7 of 24

Prerequisites:

None