Invasive Plants of the Mattole

Species of Concern in the Mattole Watershed

The following lists invasive plants species that currently exist in the Mattole watershed, as well as species that have not yet been identified in the Mattole but may pose a threat of spreading into this watershed.

Click on plant names for more information about each species.

List A	List B	Red Alert
English Ivy	Bull Thistle	European Beachgrass
French Broom	Canada Thistle	**German Ivy
Japanese Knotweed	Fennel	**Ox-Eye Daisy
Pampas Grass	Foxglove	**Purple Loosestrife
Scotch Broom	Himalayan Berry	**Smooth Cordgrass
	Italian Thistle	**Yellow Star-Thistle
	Klamath Weed
	Pennyroyal
	Periwinkle
	Poison Hemlock
	Tansey Ragwort

These plant species have been classified according to their current and potential threat to the Mattole as well as through consultations with BLM, NPS, and CalEPPC lists. Those with ** do not currently exist in the Mattole, but have been spotted in neighboring watersheds.

List A: This list includes highly aggressive invasive species that pose the greatest ecological and economic threats to the Mattole watershed. These high priority species will be the focus of most removal projects.

List B: The species on List B have also been identified in the Mattole but cause a lesser degree of ecological damage. These particular plants may not be the focus of removal efforts but still have the potential to spread rapidly. Therefore, many of these species infestations will be monitored closely.

Red Alert: This list consists of species that have the potential to spread explosively throughout the watershed, causing large-scale dramatic ecological changes. The species on this list have not yet been identified in the Mattole. European Beachgrass has existed in the King Range but all known infestations have been removed. If any of the Red Alert species are found in the Mattole, alert local specialists immediately.

Invasive Plant Control Methods & Strategies

Invasive Plant Control Methods & Strategies

Introduction

The most effective invasive weed removal techniques consider: species involved, climate, terrain, size of infestation, available resources, and many other factors. The type of control strategy and method(s) vary dramatically from project to project. It is best to evaluate the project area and create a removal plan, using a variety of control methods that best suit the area and infestation involved for both short and long-term success. The following are general descriptions of control techniques used in invasive plant control, for specific weed control recommendations, refer to invasive plant fact sheets.

Strategy

IPM: Integrated Pest Management (IPM) incorporates an ecosystem based control strategy with a long-term goal of preventing invasive exotics. IPM integrates a combination of techniques including biological control, habitat manipulation, manual control, mechanical removal, chemical control and cultural practices to ensure long term prevention of invasive plant species in site-specific situations (LeBlanc, 2001).

IPM is recommended to remove and control most invasive plant infestations, but the combinations of techniques will vary from case to case, depending on species, location, size and many other factors. There is no single successful method when dealing with the removal and control of invasive species. Instead, we will a combination of techniques will target specific issues with each situation.

Methods

No Control: This technique is recommended when the ecological threat from an invasive species is insignificant, or if no further action is needed to achieve or maintain control of the species.

Prevention: Preventing the ability of invasive exotics to enter an area is the most effective method of conserving native species. This includes taking several precautions in areas vulnerable to invasive weed infestations. For example, most invasive plants thrive in areas where ground disturbance has occurred, the key is to seed a recently disturbed area with native plant seeds to encourage regeneration by desired rather than exotic species (NPS, 2001). Educate your community about plant species that are SAFE to use in gardens and yard. Teach your community to identify and handle (if needed) aggressive plants that pose a threat to your area. It is always important to ensure that people check shoes, backpacks, dogs, etc. for invasive plant seeds when before hiking or recreating in wilderness areas.

Manual Control: This method generally involves hand-pulling and digging up weeds using a few simple tools such as weed wrenches, shovels, loppers and pulaskis. This can be an effective technique when infestations and plant species are young and root systems have not fully developed. If repeated diligently over the recommended period of time, manual techniques can also be successful in controlling and eradicating certain invasive non-native plants, such as Scotch broom, Bull thistles, etc.

Mechanical Control: Mechanical control involves the use of machinery such as bulldozers, backhoes, cable yarders and loaders may be used in areas where exotic plant density is high, native species are absent and impacts to other natural or cultural resources are negligible (NPS, 2002).

Prescribed Burning: This technique consumes above-ground vegetation and may kill seeds of invasive plant species or break their dormancy, which also assists in later removal of plants. Fire also affects the composition of native flora, and this may be manipulated to re-establish and support its natural resistance to invasion by non-native species. Personnel working in invasive plant management will work closely with prescribed burn staff to accomplish the multiple objectives of each burn, (NPS 2002).

Biological Control: Introducing natural predators (often insects) is often a successful control method and been effective with many species. FDA testing and approval is necessary, and it is not recommended for all species. Like most control techniques, biological control is most successful when combined with other techniques, such as habitat manipulation.

Waipuna Organic Hot Foam/Water Weed Treatment System: This system consists of a machine with a single or double burner that heats water with organic foam to just under 212 F. The system also has insulated hoses of varying lengths, a 300-gallon water tank, and a generator to power the entire system. The foam sits on top of the water and acts like a lid to hold the heat long enough to penetrate the topsoil and kill seeds in the seedbank. Multiple treatments are often recommended to deplete the energy reserves contained in most infestations.

The BLM Resource Center in Arcata uses this technique on Bermuda buttercup (Oxalis pers-caprae) in the Samoa Dunes Endangered Plant protection area. BLM has leased the machine for 2 years for a cost of $17,000, and states that the technique is very cost effective, but the targeted weeds must be within reach of a trailer and the length of hoses. Removal crews using the Waipuna Hot Foam Application need training to maintain the machine and must have a vehicle that can handle four or five thousand pounds.

Habitat Manipulation: Habitat manipulation refers to altering or re-establishing ecological processes in habitats in an attempt to discourage or prevent re-growth of invasive species. Prescribed burns can control large-scale infestations, but this must take place after proper research, in a professional manner with CDF approval, and with close monitoring. Flooding, mulching, or revegetation are other types of habitat manipulation that may be effective.

Grazing: Intentional use of grazing livestock to control infestations of invasive exotic species can be effective. This technique is not recommended for every species since many are toxic and/or undesireable to livestock. Mules and horses can also be used for plowing or pulling out large individual plants.

Chemical Control: The use of herbicides, though not recommended for use in the Mattole watershed, is a commonly used technique for controlling invasive exotics. However, this technique is most successfully used and with minimal negative ecological impact, when combined with other methods and not used as the primary control method.

Vegetation Glossary

Vegetation Glossary

Adventitious: (Biology) Out of the proper place or usual place; as , “adventitious buds or roots.”

Alternate: Leaf or structure not opposite on stem

Annual: Completing the life cycle in one growing season

Basal: Of or at the base

Biennial: Completing the life cycle in two growing seasons

CODE: Refers an abbreviated code derived from the species name for data collection; the same code
            appears in the attributes table of the MRC invasive exotic shapefiles from MRC road surveys.

Creeping: To grow along the ground or some structure

Endemic: Native or confined to a specific region

Entire: Margins smooth without teeth or lobes

Flower: Seed producing structure of plant

Fruit: Ripened ovary and its structures that enclose it at maturity

GROUP: Refers to two classes of flowering plants; monocots and dicots.

Herbaceous: Having the characteristics of an herb; leaf-like in color and texture

Lateral: Born on the side of a structure or an object

Leaf: Flat thin part of a plant growing from the base or stem

Lobed: bearing lobes; generally the sinuses are not half way to base of leaf or midrib as in oak leaves

Monoculture: Only one species present

Monotypic: When referring to a vegetation community, consisting mostly of only one species of plant

Oblong: Two to four times longer than wide with the sides nearly parallel as in a leaf

Node: The point on a stem where the leaf is attached, or has been attached; a joint

Perennial: A plant whose life cycle extends for three or more years

Pinnate: Compound leaf with the leaflets on two opposite sides of an elongated axis

Protrusion: A part of a structure that sticks out

Pubescent: Covered with hairs, generally short soft hairs

Ray flowers: Generally the showy strap shaped flower in the head of a sunflower; as opposed to the less
                       showy disk or tube flower

Reduced: Lessened in size or form

Rhizome: A horizontal, usually underground stem, that sends out roots and shoots from its nodes

Root: The portion of the plant, generally below the ground, that anchors the plant and absorbs moisture
           and nutrients from the soil

Rosette: Dense basal cluster of leaves arranged in a circular fashion about one point usually at ground level

Seed: That part of the plant containing the mature embryo from which a new plant can generate

Stamens: One of the pollen-bearing organs of a flower; male part; made up of a filament and anther

Stem: The main stalk of a plant; supports leaves, flowers and fruit

Terminal: Of or at the end of something

Toothed: A small marginal lobe, as on a saw, dentate

How Can I Help?

What Can I Do?

As a resident of the Mattole watershed and member of the community, there are a number of things you can do to help prevent the spread of invasive species:

• Educate yourself on plants in the Mattole. If you find a plant that you are unsure of, bring it in to the MRC office or a local university, native plant society, etc. Find out if the species is invasive and if so, report it to the Invasive Plant Program Coordinator at the MRC in Petrolia.

• "If You Don't Know It, Don't Grow It" Don't Plant Invasive Weeds. Be careful when selecting plants for your garden or home landscaping. Many nurseries and local garden shops continue to sell invasive plant species that may spread into the nearby natural areas and eventually cause large-scale economic and ecological damage. Go Native.

• Report Invasive Plant Sightings. If you spot an invasive plant in the Mattole watershed please download and fill out the following form. Email it to: unity@mattole.org.   "I SAW IT" Form (Word document)

• Remove Invasive Plants. Report or remove invasive weeds whenever they are spotted. You can control or eradicate invasive plants on your property by removing them entirely or managing them properly to prevent their spread. Be sure to consult local experts for proper invasive plant species management and removal techniques.

• Participate in Invasive Plant Removal Events. Look for opportunities to get involved in local invasive plant eradication projects. The MRC hosts various volunteer events throughout the year. It is a great way to learn to better identify invasive weeds in our watershed while getting involved in community events.

    If you have any questions or desire more information, please contact the
    Mattole Restoration Council at (707) 629-3514 or email unity@mattole.org.

Contact Us

What You Can Do

Contact and Resources

For any questions regarding invasive plants in the Mattole watershed or to report a sighting please contact:

Unity Peterson
Mattole Restoration Council
(707) 629- 3514
unity@mattole.org

The following local groups and agencies can also provide further information and support:

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service	707-822-6378
U.S. Bureau of Land Management	707-825-2300
Redwood National and State Parks	707-822-7611 ext.5282
California Native Plant Society	707-826-4801
Friends of the Dunes	707-444-1397
City of Arcata	707-822-8184
City of Eureka	707-441-4163
University of California Cooperative Extension	707-445-7351