South Florida/Caribbean Network early detection protocol for invasive exotic plants: Corridors of invasiveness

Shamblin, Robert; Whelan, Kevin; Vargas, Rachel; South Florida/Caribbean Network

Exotic plant populations can be potentially catastrophic to the natural communities of South Florida. Aggressive exotics such as Brazillian Pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius) and Melaleuca (Melaleuca quinquinervia) have displaced native habitats and formed monocultures of exotic stands (Dalrymple et al. 2003). Nearby plant nurseries, especially the ones outside the boundaries of Biscayne National Park (BISC) and Everglades National Park (EVER), are a continuous source of new exotic species that may become established within South Florida’s national parks. Early detection and rapid response to these new species of exotic plants is important to maintaining the integrity of the parks’ natural habitats and is a cost-effective approach to management. The South Florida/Caribbean Network (SFCN) developed the South Florida/Caribbean Network Early Detection Protocol of Invasive Exotic Plants to target early detection of these potential invaders. Three national parks of South Florida will be monitored for invasive, exotic plants using this protocol: Big Cypress National Preserve (BICY), Biscayne National Park (BISC), and Everglades National Park (EVER). South Florida’s national parks include some 2,411,000 acres of wilderness and encompass a variety of habitat types. To monitor the entire area for new species would not be feasible; therefore the basic approach of this protocol is to scan major “corridors of invasiveness”, e.g., paved and unpaved roads, trails, trail heads, off road vehicle (ORV) trails, boat ramps, canals, and campgrounds, for new exotic plant species within the national parks of South Florida. Sampling is optimized using a two person crew: a trained botanist from the South Florida\ Caribbean Network (SFCN) and a certified pesticide applicator from the Florida and Caribbean Exotic Plant Management Team (EPMT). If infestations are small, they are treated immediately by the EPMT crew member. If large, they are quickly reported to park staff and the Exotic Plant Management Team specialist. The sampling domain is partitioned into five regions, with one region sampled per year. Regions include the terrestrial habitats of Biscayne National Park, the eastern region of Everglades National Park, the western region of Everglades National Park, the northern region of Big Cypress National Preserve (BICY), and the southern region of Big Cypress National Preserve. Sampling usually is timed to capture flowering periods of different plant types (such as grasses that flower mostly in the fall months). Monitoring of roads, trails, and canals occurs while traveling into and through the parks (i.e., travel at 5-10 mph) using motorized vehicles, all-terrain vehicles, airboats, and/or hiking. Campgrounds, boat launches, trailheads, and similar areas, involve complete searches. When a plant of interest is observed, a GPS location is obtained and a voucher specimen collected if the plant is a new species. Information recorded at each location includes the species name, size of infestation, any treatment/control action taken, and any relevant notes. During the surveys, a GPS "track" is also recorded documenting the areas surveyed and the field of view is estimated. Field notes, pictures, and GPS data are compiled, entered, and analyzed in a Microsoft Access© database. Field reports are then produced and sent to contacts within the corresponding national parks. The specifics of the methods used to accomplish the monitoring objectives are detailed in seven Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s): A) Preparation for Field, B) Survey Methods, C) When Exotics are Encountered, D) Data Entry, E) Uploading and Downloading GPS, F) Analysis, and G) Reporting. This document also includes several appendices including a list of site names and places, the field data sheet, the field safety sign out sheet, a summary report product example, and database table descriptions. EPMT chemical treatment procedures are documented by the EPMT program separately.

South Florida/Caribbean Network early detection protocol for invasive exotic plants: Corridors of invasiveness

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