In LIISMA’s Conservation Areas program, we focus on protecting rare species and significant ecological communities from the threat of invasive species. From ponds to forests to beaches, LIISMA staff worked throughout the year and across the region to steward these high-priority areas.
In 2024, our work to control emerging stands of phragmites in coastal plain ponds moved forward in several sites in Suffolk County. Thanks to spring and summer rains, many of the ponds had higher water levels than previous years, which helps our underwater cutting management technique. Two visits to Bellows Pond in Sears Bellows County Park yielded nearly 1000 stems manually removed from the shoreline, where native plants like grass-leaved goldenrod (Euthamia carolinana) and soft rush (Juncus effusus) are dominant. Later at Sandy Pond, the LIISMA team worked with NYS DEC Region 1 Fisheries to manually control 1300 phragmites stems on the shoreline, similar to previous years, protecting native plants like pipewort (Eriocaulon aquaticum), pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata), and arrowhead (Sagittaria latifolia) that inhabit the area. Perhaps the best result this year was found at Long Pond, where the team controlled only 10 phragmites stems with the Southampton Community Preservation Fund staff, down from 265 phragmites stems in 2023. This effort protects the rare globe-fruited seedbox (Ludwigia sphaerocarpa) as well as other native species of Long Pond. The LIISMA Team hopes to expand this program by working with NYSDEC and partners to advance phragmites control at Linus Pond.
This season was full of opportunities to connect with partners at our Invasive Species Prevention Zones. In addition to our work in the Long Pond and Flanders ISPZ’s described above, we worked at Connetquot State Park, David A. Sarnoff Preserve, and Fire Island National Seashore ISPZ’s. In June, we met up with the NYS Parks Invasive Species Strike Team and DEC Region 1 Fisheries crew at Connetquot preserve to demonstrate aquatic invasive species sampling techniques. Later on, we controlled an emerging patch of water chestnut (Trapa natans), whose area was significantly reduced from previous years from 1400 to 45 individuals – a great example of early detection and rapid response in this priority waterbody. In July, we braved the heat at David A. Sarnoff Preserve to map invasive species and provide management advice to the local DEC Forestry Crew, as red barberry (Berberis thunbergii) and tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima) encroached from a parking area. Lastly, the LIISMA Team visited the Fire Island National Seashore ISPZ with the National Parks Service to see the dedicated work underway there to prevent the spread of invasive sand sedge (Carex kobomuji) and princess tree (Paulownia tomentosa).
Outside of these dedicated prevention zones, LIISMA branched out to sites prioritized for their ecological integrity or cultural heritage. In September, our team joined forces with the Long Island Native Plant Initiative to survey the Carmans River for aquatic invasive species and native seed collection, finding no new aquatic invasive species. At nearby Artist Lake, the team worked to control floating water primrose (Ludwigia peploides) to prevent it from entering the Carmans River. Over two visits, 600 floating water primrose plants were removed from around the shoreline of Artist Lake. Later in October, LIISMA worked with the Peconic Land Trust and Niamuck Land Trust to provide invasive species recommendations for Sugar Loaf in Southampton. This land historically served as a sacred burial site for the Shinnecock and neighboring nations, and is now back under the stewardship of the Shinnecock people. The LIISMA Team is honored to play a small part in the site’s ecological enhancement and restoration.
Whenever in the field, the LIISMA team has their eyes peeled for rare plants. To protect the rare orange-fringed orchid (Platanthera ciliaris), LIISMA Staff offered tips for controlling invasive stiltgrass (Microstegium vimenium) at one site in Southampton. Before the field season took off, Abby created plant illustrations based on photographs to become more familiar with the rare species of coastal plain ponds. In turn, the team supported the NY Natural Heritage Program by providing observations of comb-leaved mermaid weed (Proserpinaca pectinata), willow oak (Quercus phellos), spotted pondweed (Potamogeton pulcher), and other observations yet to be confirmed.
Thank you to our partners in making possible our work to protect Long Island’s biodiversity in 2024!
