Progress Toward Restoring the Everglades The Fifth Biennial Review: 2014 (2014) / Chapter Skim
Currently Skimming:
6 Biological Invasions and Everglades Restoration
6 Biological Invasions and Everglades Restoration
Pages 169-212
The Chapter Skim interface presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter.
Select key terms on the right to highlight them within pages of the chapter.
From page 169... ...
defines the goal of Everglades restoration as "restoration, preservation, and protection of the South Florida Ecosystem while providing for other waterrelated needs of the region, including water supply and flood protection." The Programmatic Regulations that guide implementation of the CERP state that the desired hydrologic and biological characteristics include resilient plant communities and an abundance of native wetland animals (DOI and USACE, 2005)
|
From page 170... ...
This section reviews the effects of invasive species in the Everglades. Some biological invasions affect particular native species or specific groups of them.
|
From page 171... ...
. In South Florida, Brazilian pepper was introduced at least as early as the 1880s but did not explode across the region until the 1950s (Ewel, 1986)
|
From page 172... ...
. Areas with seedbanks of per TABLE 6-1 Examples of Potential Invasive Species Threats to CERP Performance Measures Performance Measure Invasive Species/Guild Potential Threat or Risk American Alligator Argentine black and white tegu Reduced reproduction due to egg and Distribution, Size, Nesting Nile Monitor hatchling predation and Condition Burmese python Direct competition for food resources Direct predation by pythons American Crocodile – Argentine black and white tegu Reduced reproduction due to egg and Juvenile Growth and Survival Nile monitor hatchling predation Burmese python Direct competition for food resources Direct predation by pythons Marl Prairie Cape Sable Melaleuca Degradation nesting habitat due to Seaside Sparrow Habitat Australian pine changes in plant community structure and fire regimes Prey-Based Freshwater Fish Nonindigenous freshwater fish Reduced native small dish density due to Density Performance Measure predation or competitive interactions Ridge and Slough Melaleuca Alteration of plant community structure, Community Sustainability Australian pine microtopography, and fire regimes Old World climbing fern Brazilian pepper Wet Prairie Melaleuca Displacement of native plant community Australian pine Alteration of fire regimes Loss of wildlife habitat SOURCE: RECOVER (2014a)
|
From page 173... ...
Unfortunately, very little is known about these legacies and potential impacts on restoration success in the Everglades. Sites where nonnative species have been removed may remain altered by their legacies and require additional rehabilitation to achieve long-term restoration goals.
|
From page 174... ...
The types of treatments that have been used to manage them and the efficacy of available treatments are summarized. Appendix B contains descriptions of other invasive species in the Everglades, and extensive lists of invasive plants and animals are provided in the 2014 System Status Report (RECOVER, 2014a)
|
From page 175... ...
, alters fire regimes Old World 5,927 canopy Displaces native Mechanical; 69% increase since climbing fern acres in ECISMA, vegetation, alters herbicide effective 2010-2012 systemwide fire regime but affects nontarget species; biocontrol efforts promising Australian pine 1,869 canopy Alters habitat Mechanical and Spatial distribution acres in ECISMA, for nesting sea herbicide methods constant; 94% systemwide turtles and small effective but require increase in canopy mammals; limits repeat; biocontrol acres since 2010-2012 regeneration of agents under native species development Water hyacinth Acreage unknown; Displaces native Herbicide, biocontrol Unknown; monitored significant aquatic species; in public waters; infestations in clogs waterways treated as needed Kissimmee Basin and and resources allow Lake Okeechobee Hydrilla Acreage unknown; Displaces native Herbicide effective Unknown; monitored significant aquatic species; but recent detection in public waters; infestations in clogs waterways of resistance; treated as needed Kissimmee Basin and mechanical and as resources Lake Okeechobee harvesting allow Air potato Acreage unknown Shades and Herbicide; biocontrol Unknown displaces native partially effective; species other agents under development Shoebutton Acreage unknown; Shades and Mechanical cutting Unknown; difficult to ardisia high densities in displaces native followed by detect aerially southern Everglades species in a wide herbicide and eastern part of range of habitats ENP continued
|
From page 176... ...
EDRR = early detection and rapid response; ENP = Everglades National Park. SOURCE: Rodgers et al.
|
From page 177... ...
(2014b) report that melaleuca infested over 40,000 acres of the Everglades Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (ECISMA; which consists of all state and federal conservation lands within the Everglades Protection Area, Miccosukee and Seminole lands, Broward County, Palm Beach County, and Miami-Dade County)
|
From page 178... ...
SOURCE: J Eckles, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and L
|
From page 179... ...
For example, the Hole-in-the-Donut within Everglades National Park had perhaps the most expansive infestation of Brazilian pepper. This area was heavily disturbed and had elevated soil nutrient availability from previous farming practices (Li and Norland, 2001)
|
From page 180... ...
. Old World climbing fern infested 24,619 canopy acres in the ECISMA during 2010-2012 and has increased 69 percent in canopy cover since that period (Rodgers et al., 2014a)
|
From page 181... ...
, Brazilian pepper, Australian pine, and Old Word climbing fern (d) Distribution and abundance of of melaleuca, Brazilian peppertree (b)
|
From page 182... ...
tend to be either large, flashy predators such as the Burmese python or Nile monitor (Varanus niloticus) or insect species, such as the redbay ambrosia beetle, that attack or
|
From page 183... ...
Even for these nonnative animal species, the impact on Everglades species and ecosystems cannot be determined quantitatively without intensive research. Whereas certain plant species (e.g., Brazilian pepper, melaleuca)
|
From page 184... ...
184 Progress Toward Restoring the Everglades TABLE 6-3 Noteworthy Invasive Animals in South Florida Treatment Priority Species Areal Extent Ecological Impact Availability Trends Statusa Burmese Spreading Depresses Licensed hunting, Unknown, Priority python northward populations of many extremely limited population likely beyond prey species success increasing within Alligator Alley range Argentine Established and Attacks many prey Traps Population Priority black and spreading in species; population increasing within white tegu Dade impact unknown range Nile monitor Several areas of Likely predator but Snares, traps, Unknown Priority South Florida impacts unknown hunting Spectacled Dade and Likely predator but Hunting Unknown Priority caiman Broward impacts unknown Wild hog Throughout Greatly disturbs Hunting and Unknown Priority region vegetation by trapping, but limited rooting; may prey on because valued accessible eggs and game animal animals Feral house Throughout Attacks many prey Trapping, but limited Unknown cat region species, including because cannot use birds, mammals, lethal means reptiles, and amphibians Lionfish Entire Atlantic Attacks and locally Spearing on single Rapidly and Gulf coasts eliminates reef fish corals; no regional increasing of Florida management abundance methods Redbay Throughout Vectors laurel wilt, None Unknown Priority ambrosia region which devastates beetle redbay and swamp bay Gambian Grassy Key Unknown Trapping, but unable Stable Priority pouched rat to eradicate because cannot trap on private property Northern Small region of Unknown Intense hunting Unknown Priority African Dade County python Oustalet's Small region of Unknown Intense hunting Unknown Priority chameleon Dade County Veiled Lee and Dade Unknown Hunting Unknown Priority chameleon continued
|
From page 185... ...
Biological Invasions and Everglades Restoration 185 TABLE 6-3 Continued Treatment Priority Species Areal Extent Ecological Impact Availability Trends Statusa Cuban tree Throughout Unknown None Unknown Priority frog region Cane toad Throughout Unknown None Unknown region Purple Entire region Aggressive and eats None Unknown Priority swamp hen except possibly eggs and young of west coast waterfowl Asian Miami and Unknown Electrofishing or Unknown, but Priority swamp eel Tampa regions; toxicants possible in common Everglades isolated areas National Park Mayan Southern part Unknown Electrofishing or Unknown cichlid of region toxicants possible in isolated areas Pike killifish Much of region Unknown Electrofishing or Unknown toxicants possible in isolated areas Black acara Southern part Unknown Electrofishing or Unknown of region toxicants possible in isolated areas Island apple Throughout Believed to None Unknown Priority snail region outcompete native apple snail; may aid snail kite Giant Miami Eats wide variety Hand collecting; Slated for Priority African land of cultivated and poison eradication snail natural vegetation; economic damage Mexican Throughout Attacks native None Unknown Priority bromeliad region bromeliads; weevil threatens populations of two species Rugose Dade County Attacks many plant None Unknown spiraling and Florida species; population whitefly Keys impact unknown a Included in a list of species prioritized for SFWMD management in Rodgers et al.
|
From page 186... ...
It is believed that even skilled herpetologists can detect at most 1 percent of those in areas they search, FIGURE 6-7 A Burmese python in Everglades National Park. SOURCE: Photograph courtesy of Catherine Puckett, U.S.
|
From page 187... ...
. By virtue of its massive size and position as top carnivore in the food web, the python has attracted enormous attention in South Florida.
|
From page 188... ...
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (2012) , the current approach to reducing tegu numbers in the wild is targeted trapping and removal, and additional trapping efforts are under way to contain the invasion east of Everglades National Park (R.
|
From page 189... ...
. Furthermore, they can interact with other introduced species, such as mutalistic mycorrhizal fungi and invasive plants, to generate invasional meltdowns -- that is, much greater impacts than each species could have produced on its own (Nuñez et al., 2013)
|
From page 190... ...
190 Progress Toward Restoring the Everglades FIGURE 6-10 A wild hog in the Everglades. SOURCE: National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
|
From page 191... ...
Feral cats trapped in the Everglades may be neutered and released, but they are not killed, as cat control generally is viewed through the lens of animal welfare rather than as a conservation issue. Despite the damage feral cats can cause, they are frequently overlooked in lists of priority invasive species (e.g., RECOVER, 2014a; Rodgers et al., 2014a)
|
From page 192... ...
192 Progress Toward Restoring the Everglades FIGURE 6-11 Wood stork with swamp eel, which it ate; at Royal Palm, Everglades National Park, 2013. SOURCE: Photograph courtesy of Theron Mays.
|
From page 193... ...
The island apple snail is much larger than the native apple snail, P paludosa, which is the main food of the endangered Everglades snail kite (Rostrhamus sociabilis)
|
From page 194... ...
Native apple snails have white eggs. SOURCE: Photograph courtesy of Delia Ivanoff, SFWMD.
|
From page 195... ...
. MANAGING INVASIVE SPECIES IN THE EVERGLADES Management approaches differ for species at different stages of the invasion process.
|
From page 196... ...
Thus, continued presence of some nonnative species on the landscape is a reality in the modern Everglades. The following sections outline efforts in South Florida with regard to prevention, early detection and rapid response, eradication, and maintenance management (including containment and long-term management)
|
From page 197... ...
Many animal species that are considered to be invasive in the Everglades, including the Argentine black and white tegu, are not included on the list. Because the list is limited in scope and because it contains only species that have already become problematic, the Lacey Act as currently implemented is not particularly useful at ensuring that new, potentially invasive species releases are prevented in the Everglades.
|
From page 198... ...
Most of the invasive plants in the Everglades, including Brazilian pepper, air potato, Australian pine, Old World climbing fern, cogongrass, water lettuce, skunk vine, and downy rose myrtle, are on the Florida list (Florida Administrative Code Annotated, Rule 5B-57.007)
|
From page 199... ...
The Everglades Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (ECISMA; discussed later in this chapter) , which coordinates nonnative species man agement in South Florida, has developed an EDRR system for the Everglades (ECISMA, 2009)
|
From page 200... ...
200 Progress Toward Restoring the Everglades FIGURE 6-15 Everglades Invasive Reptile and Amphibian Monitoring Program (EIRAMP) routes.
|
From page 201... ...
EDDMapS accepts reports of nonnative species from the public at large and forwards the information to South Florida invasive species managers to determine the accuracy of the species determination. Panther chameleons (Furcifer pardalis)
|
From page 202... ...
is currently working to develop a strategy to comply with this mandate. When invasive species management depends on removing plants or animals that may be on private land and may have the ability to spread to public lands, it may be necessary to access private lands to remove invasive plants or ani mals.
|
From page 203... ...
For instance, several invasive plants, such as melaleuca and Australian pine, have been targeted by specially adapted land-clearing machines (Anonymous, 2005)
|
From page 204... ...
. Invasive species whose control seems hopeless today, as that of melaleuca did 20 years ago, may someday be managed well by methods resulting from ongoing research.
|
From page 205... ...
Two notable attempts have been or are being made to coordinate efforts and resources for managing nonnative species. Everglades Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area Federal, state, and local governments have been collaborating to address Everglades nonnative species issues since the Everglades Forever Act was passed in 1993, and the establishment of the ECISMA in 2008 formalized the collaboration and expanded the partners involved.
|
From page 206... ...
• The Everglades Foundation • Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden • Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs • Florida Department of Transportation • Florida Power and Light • Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida • National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration • Seminole Tribe of Florida • The Nature Conservancy • University of Florida • University of Georgia -- Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health • USDA Agricultural Research Service • USDA Wildlife Services • U.S. Geological Survey tify an algorithm or formal process by which nonnative species are prioritized for management action or particular resources are allocated to nonnative species management activities.
|
From page 207... ...
DOI's Office of Everglades Restoration Initiatives, in coordination with the Task Force, is currently supporting development of a Comprehensive Invasive Species Strategic Action Framework that includes greatly enhanced high-level coordination and a crosscut budget.5 In December 2012, the Task Force established a working group to conduct a comprehensive review of the coordination and nature of efforts to combat invasive species in the Everglades. As of December 2013 a strategic planning exercise was under way by the working group to fashion the Strategic Action Framework.
|
From page 208... ...
Despite the enormous impacts of some nonnative species, invasive species management has so far not been a major focus of the CERP, beyond treating invasive plants that spread during construction. Communities composed of mixtures of nonnative species with varying remains of native assemblages are commonplace in the Everglades landscape.
|
From page 209... ...
. CLIMATE CHANGE AND INVASIVE SPECIES With global warming, sea-level rise, and the water management activities associated with them, distributions and abundances of nonnative species are expected to shift across the landscape.
|
From page 210... ...
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS Despite excellent progress in developing coordination of the management of invasive species at the operational level, most notably through ECISMA, there is a lack of coordination at a strategic level that includes a comprehensive view of all nonnative species in all parts of the Greater Everglades. Currently, plants and animals tend to be considered separately.
|
From page 211... ...
Prioritization of research needs and control efforts across areas, species, habitats, and agencies would be a major responsibility of this entity. The committee is optimistic that the Comprehensive Invasive Species Strategic Action Framework being developed by the Task Force will be a major step toward achieving these goals of high-level coordination.
|
From page 212... ...
Recent CERP guid ance and plans to implement national USACE invasive species policy indicate that these considerations are increasingly being incorporated into project planning and implementation, although it is too soon to evaluate this new approach. Long-term monitoring and research are needed to understand the poten tial impacts of climate change on Everglades nonnative species management.
|
Key Terms
This material may be derived from roughly machine-read images, and so is provided only to facilitate research.
More
information on Chapter Skim is available.