The month of September is still prime field season for the LIISMA team!
We continued to survey and monitor for emerging invasive species, such as Arthraxon hispidus in Westhampton. This is one of two known infestations on Long Island. The other infestation is in Montauk. LIISMA is working with partners to control the infestations at both locations.
We surveyed priority waterbodies and found infestations of Phragmites australis that are still small enough to readily control at several coastal plain ponds. We have received permits and approvals to control phragmites at Long Pond in the Long Pond Greenbelt and at a coastal plain pond in Sears Bellows County Park. We’re working on one more approval for Long Pond. These infestations are small (150 or less stems) and are in standing water at least part of the year. The phragmites will be cut below the water level to deprive the plants of oxygen. This is part of our goal to follow up surveys with rapid responses, either by the LIISMA team, the landowning agency, or both. Long Island’s coastal plain ponds have some of the highest concentrations of rare plants and communities in New York State.
The team conducted a two-day survey by kayak of the Carmans River. This incredibly beautiful river has several invasive species, including reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea) and watercress (Nasturtium officinale). More research is needed to determine the impacts these species may be having.
LIISMA assists with invasive species planning for priority conservation areas. We completed an invasive species management plan for the Sayville National Wildlife Refuge, also known as Sayville Grassland. Glossy buckthorn (Frangula alnus) is the most widespread invasive plant found in areas of the refuge that are invaded.
LIISMA has approved six invasive species subcontracts with partners that are planned to begin soon. These projects are contracted by LIISMA using funds from the Environmental Protection Fund as administered by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Just yesterday, we had the chance to visit one of our subcontract sites — Westbrook at Connetquot River State Park. This tributary of the Connetquot River had been dammed for nearly 120 years, until 2019 when the dam failed and gave way to over 100 species sprouting up from the seedbank in the former pond. Here, our subcontract, Seatuck Environmental Association has proposed to undertake a multi-pronged project to safeguard the site’s ecological potential by eliminating and managing a number of invasive species that have also emerged in the wake of the dam failure. Haley, our Invasive Species Specialist spent the morning with volunteers pulling one such invasive species — Phragmites. You can read more about Seatuck, Westbrook and our other subcontracts in our October newsletter.
