LIISMA has been hard at work with an eventful first year with a newly introduced Early Detection and Rapid Response (EDRR) team. We prioritize our work in two ways: by conservation site and by species.
We began the year surveying coastal plain ponds for early emerging stands of phragmites (Phragmites australis). Controlling phragmites can be difficult. But as a widespread and high impact species (Tier 4), it is important for LIISMA to control small populations, especially where it co-occurs with rare species and communities. For this reason, managing phragmites in coastal plain ponds has become a top priority for LIISMA; these ecosystems are home to numerous rare plant and animal species.
Following our survey work in coastal plain ponds, LIISMA successfully conducted management (either firsthand or via management recommendations to partners) of 11 early detection species. That might not sound like a lot at first, but with a team of only four people, there’s so much work to be done! We started the season at the Muttontown Preserve in Muttontown NY, where we met with the Nassau County Soil and Water Conservation District (NCSWCD) to oversee invasive species distributions in the preserve. Our EDRR Manager, Melody Cerniglia tracked down an iNaturalist observation of fuzzy deutzia (Deutzia scabra), which is a Tier 3 species, within the park. The staff at NCSWCD manages the park and responded quickly to this, promptly removing the individual and making efforts to monitor the species in the future. LIISMA plans to coordinate with them going forward to ensure the eradication of fuzzy deutzia in the Muttontown Preserve.
While traversing the nearby Wolfes Pond Park in Staten Island, NY, LIISMA came across an unsettling population of orange candleflower (Arum italicum) in the Wolfes Pond Bluebelt area, managed by the NYC Department of Environmental Protection (NYCDEP). Melody promptly reached out to NYCDEP about the infestation. They responded immediately! The population was removed by hand pulling by NYCDEP staff within only a few weeks. LIISMA aims to continue monitoring the site for multiple years to come or until the population is eradicated, as this is a notoriously difficult plant to control unless detected early in its invasiveness of an area.
Other species controlled by our partners through the management recommendations brought forth by LIISMA include wild teasel (Dipsacus fullonum), giant reed (Arundo donax), saltcedar (Tamarix parviflora), and arthraxon (Arthraxon hispidus). Wild teasel was detected in the restoration meadow by Melody, and quickly shared with Bethpage State Park staff who promptly removed it and will continue to monitor the site for it. Giant reed was detected at Cammans Pond County Park by Melody and Abby Marino, our Conservation Area Manager. We shared our reports with Nassau County Parks staff who removed the species within a few weeks. Due to the persistence of this species, plants are likely to sprout back, so we aim to continue monitoring the site for multiple years, or until this high impact Tier 2 species is eradicated from the site. Saltcedar is being managed by the Town of Brookhaven after coordination with LIISMA as to the potential impacts of this species at Cedar Beach. The town has plans to manage the species by spring of 2024. Arthraxon is being managed by our partners at Montauk County Park, and at a Rechler Equities property in Westhampton after a site visit and coordination with LIISMA staff. Arthraxon is a high impact, Tier 2 species that can cause detrimental effects if left untreated. This species is a high priority for LIISMA and we aim to continue monitoring for many years until it is eradicated from the sites.
LIISMA managed four species this year, including phragmites at coastal plain ponds, pale swallow-wort (Vincetoxicum rossicum) at Otis Pike Preserve, floating water primrose (Ludwigia peploides) at Artist Lake in Middle Island and kudzu (Pueraria montana) across the island. LIISMA utilized the spading method for phragmites removal and hand pulling for pale swallow-wort and floating water primrose. For floating water primrose particularly, it was a muddy and messy job. Though we found new, small infestations around the lake, we aim to continue management there until the species is eradicated or at the very least contained to just the lake alone. In the fall, LIISMA worked on six kudzu sites, conducting monitoring, resulting in the need for management of only one of those sites! Management was conducted by surgical root crown removal of the kudzu root crowns using a hand saw. LIISMA is in the process of requesting a FIFRA 2ee exemption for herbicide removal of ravenna grass in a PSEG right of way, with hopes to have it removed in 2024.
In addition to management activities in the 2023 field season, we conducted 21 monitoring and survey activities. Species surveyed and monitored include wintergreen barberry (Berberis julianae), slender leafy spurge (Euphorbia virgata), hardy kiwi (Actinidia arguta), mahonia (Berberis bealei), southern pine beetle (Dendroctonus frontalis), spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula), beech leaf disease (Litylenchus crenatae mccannii), cinnamon vine (Dioscorea polystachya), perennial pepperweed (Lepidium latifolium), ravenna grass (Saccharum ravennae), plume poppy (Macleaya cordata), and ragged robin (Silene flos-cuculi). In addition to these species, all species that were managed were initially surveyed. These include phragmites, kudzu, floating water primrose, pale swallow wort, arthraxon, orange candleflower, giant reed, fuzzy deutzia, wild teasel and saltcedar.
LIISMA is dedicated to the rapid response of these many early detection species and looks forward to 2024 with more plans in mind for a fruitful and productive field season.
