MAPPING INVASIVE SPECIES Within NWACC living lab Project by Adrianna Carter, Logan Romero, Kendall Allen, Molly Welton, Conner Smith, Jordan Daniels, and Jack Ryan
THE PROJECT The objective of this project was to locate and map out the invasive species that are taking over the living lab. This is the first semester of many in which a team of students will study the progression of said invasive plants. The plan is to use a prescribed burn to rid the lab of invading species. The hope is that each team of students will have less and less to map.
PRESCRIBE BURNS Prescribed burns simulate naturally occurring forest fires. They are used to get rid of forest debris, invasive species, and to release some seeds from dormancy. Prescribed burns also prevent forest fires and clear room for new plants.
THE MAP In this project, the team has utilized the ESRI powered ArcGIS and ArcMap software, along with the phone app Collector (also ESRI), to create a map of invasive plant species living in the Living Lab. This is especially important with a controlled burn scheduled to take place at the end of 2016. The map can be used in the future for comparative maps tracking invasive species fire response and regrowth patterns (if applicable). The Collector app allows research to be done in the field; collecting data (both, observed: text & images and geospatial: time, geographic coordinates) and storing it on your phone until it can be uploaded. Using both Arc software and the app together allow students to have a relatively accurate base map with GPS tagging capability conveniently packaged together. Using that same software allows the researched data to be manipulated and presented on a full scale, easy to read map.
THE CO-EVOLUTION GARDEN Planted in Fall 2016, NWACC s Co-Evolution Demonstration Garden contains various plant species that will demonstrate how flowering plants and their insect pollinators will adapt to one another throughout time. Plants in our Garden Monarda fistulosa Antemnaria plantasinifolia Asclespias tuberosa Asclespias syriaca Coreopsis lanceolata
FESCUE GRASS (FESTUCA ARUNDINACEA) Derives from Europe Cold season perennial Spreads through rhizomes Often carries endophytic fungus which can cause illnesses in animals Hardy grass that can be good in dry lands People use it ornamentally, agriculturally, and as a phytoremediation grass
ENGLISH PRIVET (LIGUSTRUM) Privet is a quickly spreading, highly invasive plant. It can be found in most if not all regions of the world. It's leaves have opposite arrangement, are usually evergreen, and oval or oblong. It produces clusters of white flowers and black fruits. It's very adaptable which allows it to survive many different environments. The best, and probably only, way to get rid of privet for good is to get rid of all roots.
JAPANESE HONEYSUCKLE VINE (LONICERA JAPONICA) Native to eastern Asia, Japanese honeysuckle was introduced in the US as an ornamental plant sometime in the 1800 s. It is highly invasive as it crowds out other plant, and grow over nearly any surface. Grows in vine or bush form, and produces flowers in the summer time. The flowers form berries that are consumed by birds which aid in seed dispersal.
JOHNSON GRASS (SORGHUM HALEPENSE) First invaded North America in the early 1800s Native to the Mediterranean region One of the nations 10 worst invasive species Contains poisonous constitute cyanide Can be removed through mowing or two applications of herbicides
CALLERY PEAR TREE Native to China and Vietnam Part of the Rose family Resistant to disease and blight Easily damaged by storms and high winds Produce smelly white flowers and a reddish fruit that birds favor Spreads through seeds that birds have eaten and expelled
BLACKBERRY (RUBUS ARMENIACUS) Blackberries can be found all over the world. There are many different species. The Himalayan blackberry, one of the most successful blackberry species, is invading the living lab. Has palmately compound leaves with 5 sawtoothed oval leaflets. Perennial plant with biennial canes (stems) Resistant to mechanical removal and controlled burns
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SOURCES https://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/plants/ho neysuckle.shtml "Privet as an Invasive Plant." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 28 Mar. 2016. Web. 03 Dec. 2016. Stannard, M.E. 2014. Plant guide for Himalayan Blackberry (Rubus armeniacus). USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service, Plant Materials Center, Pullman, Washington 99164-6211 Web. 18 Nov. 2016 University of California,Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources; Integrated Pest Management, 21, June 2016. Web. 26 Nov. 2016. http://ipm.ucanr.edu/pmg/weeds/wild_black berry.html
SOURCES CONTINUED USDA, NRCS. 2016. The PLANTS Database; National Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC 27401-4901 USA. Web. 18 Nov. 2016. Webber, Courtney. "Blackberry Variety Review." Berry Resources, Agriculture and Life Sciences; Cornell University 08 Apr. 2013. Web. 27 Nov. 2016. Werner, Cody, and Kerry Wixted. "Common Invasive Plants: Easy ID Cards." Dnr.maryland.gov/wildlife. Maryland Department of Natural Resources, May 2016. Web. 1 Dec. 2016. http://www.uaex.edu/yard-garden/resourcelibrary/plant-week/johnsongrass.aspx