As we approach the midpoint of summer, LIISMA is actively engaged in invasive species surveys, monitoring, early detection, rapid response, management, and education and outreach.
Abby, Melody, and Kassidy joined Heidi O’Riordan and NYSDEC Region 1 Fisheries to control phragmites in a Central Pine Barrens coastal plain pond. Most of this small infestation of phragmites is growing in standing water for at least part of the year. The team used manual underwater cutting as the control method. This method involves cutting phragmites stems below the water line, depriving the plants of oxygen. This will be repeated over several years until the phragmites is eliminated. Later, the team visited Linus Pond, which has phragmites infestations that have grown too large for manual or mechanical control alone. The LIISMA team is discussing the possibility of controlling phragmites in areas of the pond where control may still be feasible.
Melody and Abby revisited the site of giant reed (Arundo donax) at Camman’s Pond County Park, Merrick, following a visit in 2022. Five large stands of giant reed seem to be intentionally planted adjacent to the northeast portion of the pond. The giant reed appears to be slowly increasing in size, with rhizomatous shoots creeping from the sides. Old, tall canes persist, some with lingering floral structures. Giant reed is a high impact, Tier 2 species prioritized for eradication in LIISMA. LIISMA is working with partners to remove this infestation.
The LIISMA team (Bill, Abby, Melody, and Kassidy) joined Brooke Shellman and Juliana Merluccio of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) at the Sayville National Wildlife Refuge, together with Ren Staggs of the Student Conservation Association (SCA) and members of the American Conservation Experience (ACE) for ecological field training. The refuge features the Sayville Grassland, a rare maritime grassland. Invasive plants observed include spotted knapweed (Centaurea stoebe), glossy buckthorn (Frangula alnus), and wisteria (Wisteria spp.). USFWS is managing the grassland to preserve its unique biodiversity. ACE is a non-profit organization that provides environmental service opportunities to help restore America’s public lands. ACE members included Azizah Benjamin, Natalie Ammerata, Jacob Baker, Mathew Amoedo, and Kas Oakes.
Abby and Kassidy monitored invasive species at the David A. Sarnoff Pine Barrens State Forest. Sarnoff is one of our 12 Invasive Species Prevention Zones (ISPZs) and a biodiversity hotspot, according to the New York Natural Heritage Program. While common invasive species such as Thunberg’s barberry (Berberis thunbergii), sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata), and wineberry (Rubus phoenicolasius) were observed near an entrance and along a service road, no invasive plants were observed in the interior of the monitored area. Evidence of southern pine beetle (Dendroctonus frontalis) damage was observed, with two active infestations mapped.
Kassidy and Abby monitored one of two known infestations of small carpet grass (Arthraxon hispidus) on Long Island. This infestation was found by Polly Weigand at Gabreski Airport in Westhampton. Small carpet grass is a Tier 2 invasive annual plant of wet areas that forms dense stands that exclude native vegetation. The landscaping crew of Rechler Equity Partners conducted management in 2022, removing the majority of plants by cutting and pulling. This year, LIISMA observed that the population is growing more sparsely, while also appearing to have expanded. Scientists have observed that small carpet grass has a multi-year seed longevity and persistent seed bank, providing the species with a degree of resilience in the event of unpredictable disturbance and climatic anomalies (White et al., 2020). Control will be repeated for several years, until the plants are eliminated.
Abby, Melody, and Kassidy kayaked the Carmans River with Diana Lynch of Suffolk County Parks, searching for invasive floating water primrose (Ludwigia peploides) and water pepper (Persicaria hydropiper). No L. peploides was detected. A species of Persicaria dominates some areas of shoreline in front of native water willow (Decodon verticillatus), narrowing the channel. Our team is working to confirm which species of Persicaria it is.
The LIISMA team monitored native and invasive species at Hither Hills State Park in East Hampton. The Hither Hills-Hither Woods Complex is one of our 12 ISPZs. The team surveyed for aquatic invasive species at Fresh Pond, within the park, using the rake toss method and SAS Pro app. Abby and Melody performed 14 rake tosses, most of which yielded muck or no live material. No aquatic invasive species were found. Native low watermilfoil (Myriophyllum humile) was observed in some areas. Additionally, invasive phragmites (Phragmites australis) was found in 8 patches, ranging from emerging stands to large areas with thousands of stems. Much of the shoreline is dominated by native vegetation such as pickerel weed (Pontederia cordata), bayonet rush (Juncus militaris), swamp azalea (Rhododendron viscosum), tupelo or blackgum (Nyssa sylvatica), red maple (Acer rubrum), blueberry (Vaccinium spp.), and coastal sweet pepperbush (Clethra alnifolia). Kassidy and Bill hiked east along the Walking Dunes Trail, monitoring for signs of southern pine beetle (Dendroctonus frontalis) infestations in pitch pine (Pinus rigida) in the forested area to the south. No signs of the beetle were observed.
Reference
White, Laura & Taffs, Kathryn & Catterall, Claudia. (2020). Fire can promote germination, recruitment and seed bank accumulation of the threatened annual grass Arthraxon hispidus. Australian Journal of Botany. 68. 10.1071/BT20004.
