Battle Tactics from Camp Ripley, The War on Invasive Species Kayla Malone maka0811@stcloudstate.edu
Camp Ripley, MN Camp Ripley is a 53,000-acre regional training facility for our military, federal, state, local and civilian communities. In 2012 units from across the nation trained on Camp Ripley including Illinois, Iowa, Georgia, North Dakota, and Wyoming. State agencies that utilize Camp Ripley include: MN Department of Transportation & MN Department of Natural Resources.
Agreement 2002 A Master Interagency Agreement was reached between Camp Ripley and Saint Cloud State University to: Monitor and control of invasive species. Develop a sustainable management plan. Conduct research on best-management practices for control of invasive populations.
Completed Research Jill Babski (2002) Mapped presence of invasive species on Camp Ripley, released biological control agents. Joe Eisterhold (2004) Selection of targeted species, select treatment application, monitored biological control. Joe Carlyon (2007) Investigated treatment combinations for Common Tansy. Alan Einck (2009) Spotted knapweed study on the impacts of prescribed fire and herbicide.
Continuing Research Jamie Hanson (2009) & Kayla Malone (2011) - Restoration experiment testing combinations of integrated management techniques including site manipulation, herbicide application, and native seeding post-treatment.
Invasive Species List Leafy spurge Common tansy Buckthorn Baby s breath White and yellow sweet clover Reed canary grass Common reed Bouncing bet Siberian elm Spotted knapweed Canada thistle Bull thistle Musk thistle Hoary alyssum Smooth brome Ox-eye daisy Crown vetch Cow Vetch All species have been identified on Camp Ripley. Species in Red have been actively targeted and treated. Species in Blue are being mapped for future treatment efforts.
Large-scale control: 2010 Large scale control refers to treatment efforts that do not directly impact research, and began on Camp Ripley in 2010. Addressed 3 targeted species: Common Tansy, Spotted Knapweed and Leafy Spurge. Included roadside mapping, physical removal (hand-pulling) and small scale chemical applications. Maps were used to determine a system of prioritization for future treatment of Camp Ripley.
Invasive Species Distribution 2010 Population locations were recorded using a hand-held GPS. Only species identities were recorded.
Prioritization System developed in 2010 Dependent on infestation size, location, physical accessibility, and treatment equipment accessibility. Yes Priority 1 Is the invasive population present in the Northern half of down-range? No Is the invasive population a source population (>25m 2 )? Only addressed Spotted knapweed, Common tansy and Leafy spurge. Yes Priority 3 No -Priority 2 System of prioritization is based on the framework provided by Lynn Maguire s What Can Decision Analysis Do for Invasive Species Management - Risk Analysis, Vol. 24, No. 4, 2004
Large Scale Control: 2011 Hand-removal of isolated populations. Roadside mow before seed viability to prevent seed development and dispersal. Collection and relocation of Spotted knapweed biological control agents. Chemical application along roadsides and heavily used training areas. Development of a standardized recording system. Native grass harvest. Baby s breath, a recent invader to become established on Camp Ripley, 2011
Treatment records Example records for populations that have been surveyed only: Label ID Date Phenology Notes SK-1-52 8/10/2011 Post-flower Waypoint CT-7-22 8/3/2011 Peak-flower Track BB-3-31 7/27/2011 Peak-flower Waypoint Example records for populations that have been treated: Label ID Date Phenology Method Notes SK-6-5 7/18/2011 Peak-flower Hand-pull Waypoint CT-3-75 7/27/2011 Peak-flower Mowed Track LS-6-MA 6/24/2011 Peak-flower 2-4-D - ATV Track, Needs followup BB-10-31 7/27/2011 Peak-flower Hand-pull Waypoint
Example: Training Area 31 Label ID Track or Waypoint? Date Phenology Method Notes SK-1-31 WP 7/27/2011 SK-2-31 Track 7/27/2011 SK-3-31 WP 7/27/2011 SK-4-31 WP 7/27/2011 BB-1-31 WP 7/27/2011 BB-2-31 WP 7/27/2011 BB-3-31 Track 7/27/2011 BB-4-31 WP 7/27/2011 PEAK FLOWER PEAK FLOWER PEAK FLOWER PEAK FLOWER PEAK FLOWER PEAK FLOWER PEAK FLOWER PEAK FLOWER M S M M M M S S HAND HAND HAND HAND HAND
Risk Assessment Map Provides recommended actions to reduce seed dispersal across Camp Ripley. Green: Low risk for the transfer of invasive species material from area to area. These areas are relatively free of target invasive plant species and this status should be maintained. Amber: Moderate risk for the transfer of invasive species material from area to area. Amber areas have small, widespread, sparse populations of Spotted Knapweed and Common Tansy. Red: High risk for the transfer of invasive species material from area to area. Red areas have large, dense populations of Spotted Knapweed and Common Tansy. These areas are a source of seed that can be spread.
Large Scale Control: 2012 Development of a watch list for potential incoming threats. Increased surveying of high-risk locations. Post-treatment seeding of native grass. Placement of zebra mussel detection plates in select lakes. Identified & controlled populations of: Cypress spurge, Purple loosestrife, and Queen Anne s lace.
Annual Program Development 1. List & research all invasive populations. Evaluate potential risk/impacts. Determine current population size & location. 2. Update current distribution maps, print out for use infield. 3. Record all completed treatment in standardized charts. 4. Develop annual plan based on land-use and treatment successes. 5. Update training materials for field assistants.
Plans for 2013 Expand targeted species list to include cypress spurge, purple loosestrife, and Queen Anne s lace. Re-survey and treat all known populations of leafy spurge. Increased aquatic invasive surveying. Recording of all management efforts onto a standardized treatment application form. Continue large-scale chemical treatment on roadways and highly used training areas, based on land-use.
Treatment based on land-use 1. Leafy spurge at the end of Miller Airfield. 2. Spotted knapweed in TA 58 &62. 3. Tank fox-holes in TA 54.
Recommendations Determine current distribution of targeted invasive species. Research species traits, life history and degree of impact. Develop management plans that include a variety of treatment options, based on land-use. Implement treatment for the highest-risk locations and most impactful species. Evaluate all efforts to determine the most effective, efficient treatment plans possible.
Thanks to: MN Department of Military Affairs, Camp Ripley Environmental Office, Saint Cloud State University, Department of Public Works, The Nature Conservancy, MN Department of Agriculture, Dow AgroSciences, Many other collaborators!
Questions? Comments? Kayla Malone maka0811@stcloudstate.edu Graduate Student Saint Cloud State University, St. Cloud, MN Saint Cloud State University Invasive Plants Website - http://web.stcloudstate.edu/invasiveplants/