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Sustainable Reclamation: Evaluating Autumn Olive Control Strategies at The Wilds Conservation Center, Cumberland, Ohio

Sustainable Reclamation: Evaluating Autumn Olive Control Strategies at The Wilds Conservation Center, Cumberland, Ohio. Shana Byrd*, Director, Restoration Ecology Program, The Wilds Nicole Cavender, VP Science & Conservation, The Morton Arboretum

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Sustainable Reclamation: Evaluating Autumn Olive Control Strategies at The Wilds Conservation Center, Cumberland, Ohio

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  1. Sustainable Reclamation:Evaluating Autumn Olive Control Strategies at The Wilds Conservation Center, Cumberland, Ohio Shana Byrd*, Director, Restoration Ecology Program, The Wilds Nicole Cavender, VP Science & Conservation, The Morton Arboretum Corine Peugh, Assistant, Restoration Ecology Program, The Wilds Jenise Bauman, Director, Conservation Science Training, The Wilds

  2. Nearly 10,000 acres of reclaimed surface-mine land in southeastern Ohio AEP donated land in 1984 Non-profit, opened to public in 1994 Today, this land serves as a conservation research and education center 100,000 visitor annually History: the Wilds

  3. the Wilds Mission Advancing Conservation Through Science, Education, and Personal Experience

  4. The Wilds Landscape During Mining Operations The Big Muskie

  5. Autumn olive (Elaeagnus umbellata) • Utilized in reclamation (ODNR1983) to reduce erosion and improve nitrogen content of the soil • Has since invaded open pastures, thereby reducing quality of cool-season grasslands for obligate birds, such as the Henslow’s Sparrowand other wildlife species. • Conversion alters the function of these habitats by interrupting the open space with woody vegetation that may increase chances for nest predation (Swanson 1996). • Control measures are difficult, due to abundant seed production and aggressive re-sprouting. Superior competitor (has done it’s job a little too well)…

  6. The Wilds: Landscape Conversion Dense cover

  7. Cheetah Southern White Rhinoceros Sichuan Takin Bactrian Camels & Grevy’s Zebra Eland Sable Antelope Ideal setting for studying how wildlife are currently using the habitat and how we can improve it to benefit these populations.

  8. Restore Ecosystem Functions & Biodiversity • Goals of the Wilds Restoration Ecology Program: • increase biodiversity on a landscape scale • create habitat that is more beneficial for wildlife • study & facilitate the process of recovery Eco - Opportunities: Habitat Conservation Wetland Function Carbon Capture Pollination

  9. Conservation Centers for Species SurvivalA dedicated collaboration applying unique resources to the study, management and survival of endangered species. the Wilds - Ohio Fossil Rim Wildlife Center - Texas San Diego Zoo Global – California White Oak Conservation Center - Florida Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute - Virginia C2S2 Collaborative Study Focus: Managing Landscapes for Native Biodiversity The Wilds Study Goal: Remove autumn olive to improve habitat for imperiled grassland nesting birds

  10. Field Trials: Project Background • Objective: • Test effectiveness of removals in varying degrees of infestation • Share techniques with land managers to assist in creating healthier habitats for species in need of conservation (grassland obligates) • Five different techniques were explored in a two phase field trial Phase 1 – (2007-2009)Received NFWF Project Funding – • Evaluate Methods: • Foliar herbicide applications • Mechanical removal • Dormant stem herbicide applications • Moderate Cover ranging from 15-30%

  11. Field Trials: Project Background Phase 2 - (2010-2011)Received NRCS / EPA SWIF Project Funding – • Evaluate Methods: • Mechanical land clearing combined with chemical treatment: • Fracture (herbicide re-sprout only) • Cut stump (immediate herbicide) • Dense Cover ranging from 95-100%

  12. Project Set Up:Phase 1 May 2007 • Established 12 permanent plots (each about 10 acres in size) with interior vegetation survey plots • Among the plots, three replications of each treatment and a control group were designated.

  13. Project Set Up:Phase 1 • Prior to treatment: • GPS location data and metal marker tags were recorded for 25 random individual shrubs per plot. • Total of 225 individuals tracked.

  14. Foliar Herbicide Treatment August 2007 • CHEMICAL NAME • (27.6% imazapyr isopropylamine salt) • (60% metsulfuron methyl) • (Surfactant) • (Drift Retardant) • PRODUCT • Arsenal Powerline  • Escort XP  • Surf Plus 584 MSO • Mist Trol 336 • RATE • 16oz / 100 gal • 2oz / 100 gal • 16oz / 100 gal • 4oz / 100 gal Cost = $741 per hectare ($300 ac)

  15. Photo Credit: Mitch Kezar, Courtesy BASF

  16. Mechanical Removal Treatment November 2007 EQUIPMENT John Deer Backhoe 3110D METHOD Extracted the aboveground plant material and the main root ball Cost = $741 per hectare ($65 / acre)

  17. Re-sprouting Photo Credit: Mitch Kezar, Courtesy BASF

  18. Dormant Herbicide Treatment February 2008 • PRODUCT • Stalker • Garlon 4 • Invade 90 • AX-IT oil • Mist Trol 336 • CHEMICAL • (27.6% imazapyr isopropylamine salt) • (61.6% triclopyr: 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinyloxyacetic acid) • (Surfactant) • (Carrying Oil) • (Drift Retardant) • RATE • 16oz / 100 gal • 1.5gal / 100 gal • 1gal / 100 gal • 2.5gal / 100 gal • as needed / 100 gal Cost = $741 per hectare ($300 ac)

  19. Temporary Footprint Both dormant (winter) and foliar (summer) herbicide applications were applied with a 300 gal sprayer unit using a handgun nozzle. Photo Credit: Mitch Kezar, Courtesy BASF

  20. Results August 2009 – Evaluated Individual Shrubs Comparison of mechanical, foliar and dormant stem herbicide control methods on total % mortality of autumn olive Treatment Total % Mortality Foliar herbicide: 98 % Arsenal Powerline™ Escort XP™ Dormant stem herbicide:71 % Stalker™ Garlon 4™ Mechanical removal: 15 % John Deer 3110 D backhoe Note: Percentages are based on total number of shrubs effectively killed.

  21. Phase 2 Treatments: 2010-2011 Management: Dense Cover ranging from 95-100% • Based on findings, phase 2 of this study initiated in 2010 • Evaluate combined mechanical & chemical treatments: • cut stump w/ herbicide • fracture w/ re-sprout spray only

  22. Mechanical Land Clearing: Cut stump herbicide & Fracture re-sprout herbicide • Cut-stump (with herbicide treatment): • GyroTracGT-25 cutter head • Ground brush into fine mulch and left stumps flush with the ground. • Removal was directly followed with a conservative application of a 3% concentrated solution of Stalker in penetrating oil base applied to the remaining stumps. • Fracture (with re-sprout treatment only): • Skid-steer driven Fecon Bullhog model BH74 SS armed with 30 single carbide tools on the drum head • Brush was fractured at ground level and the splintered material was left to biodegrade. • Herbicide treatment was reserved only for spot treatment of re-sprouts.

  23. Photo Point: Before & After Mechanical Land Clearing (fracture / re-sprout only) 7-30-2010 10-19-2010 Before After

  24. Photo Point: Before & After Mechanical Land Clearing (fracture / re-sprout only) 10-19-2010 7-30-2010 3-28-2011

  25. Results: Phase 2 trial • Hypothesis: cut stump treatment would provide most effective re-sprout control method • However, the cut stump treatment was less effective than the fracture method (46%, 63% mortality respectively). Why? • Cut stump: resulted in smooth surface, may have effectively pruned shrub, stimulated re-growth? • Fracture: resulted in damaged and coarse stump surface, may have induced stress or inhibited vegetative recovery? Further replicated studies are needed to determine long term control & effectiveness. • Utimatey, both mechanical land clearing methods are effective atremoving the above ground woody biomass of the shrubs in areas of dense cover* • Both methods reduced initial quantity of herbicide applications, as compared to phase 1 (moderate cover).

  26. Cost comparison of Elaeagnus umbellata treatment by various methods *Note: Spot re-sprout (foliar) treatment will include additional costs of $50 per hour, as needed, which leaves cost variable.

  27. Insights: Autumn Olive Management Moderate cover*: • Foliar herbicide(Arsenal/EscortXP) application is most effective method • Very effective…But, resource intensive (in dense cover) = large quantities of mixed product • Dormant stem application (Stalker/Garlon4) slightly less effective than the foliar treatment • May allow selective treatment in “off season” • Dense cover*: • Mechanical land clearing offer greatest compromise where access with spray equipment is difficult • All techniques require follow up management (total control).

  28. Insights: Autumn Olive Management • All techniques resulted in soil disturbance, facilitating secondary non-native invasions • Demonstrating need for preemptive re-vegetation strategies on newly disturbed sites • Hardy seed & stock, native to the US, may be well-adapted and provide appropriate wildlife habitat • Case study underway to evaluate prairie species mix in post-removal cover

  29. Implications for Restoration • To create sustainable landscapes, restoration plans should include planting native species that benefit local wildlife and increase biodiversity (regardless of end habitat target: forest, grassland, prairie, wetland). • Management priorities and trajectory likely based on individual goals,expense, treatment timeline and the resources available to meet the restoration plan. • When managed for long term conversion to more productive cover, reclaimed mine lands provide tremendous potential to serve as healthy habitat corridors for species in need of conservation.

  30. Acknowledgements • Conservation Centers for Species Survival (C2S2) • National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) • Natural Resource Conservation Service (USDA- NRCS) • Partners for Fish and Wildlife (PFW) • Ohio Environmental Protection Agency – SWIF Funds (OEPA) • Muskingum College (Dr. Danny Ingold, Dr. Jim Dooley) • Townsend Chemical (Greg Ressler) • BASF, Project Habitat • FDC Enterprises (Fred Circle) • Sarbaugh Drilling (Elden Sarbaugh) • Wilds Interns and Volunteers

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