april 12-14, 2017 crowne plaza oceanfront melbourne, florida · 2017. 4. 11. · officers ....

April 12-14, 2017

CROWNE PLAZA OCEANFRONT

MELBOURNE, FLORIDA

Table of Contents

FLEPPC Board of Directors.......................................................................................................... ............................... 3

Conference Agenda...................................................................................................................... ................................... 4-5

FLEPPC 2017/2019 Slate of Nominees............................................................................................................... 6

Abstracts – Oral Presentations.................................................................................................. .............................. 7

Abstracts – Poster Presentations............................................................................................... ............................ 21

Author Index ...................................................................................................................... ............................................... 27

Sponsors, Contributors, Vendors............................................................................................... ............................. 28

OFFICERS

Christen Mason, Chair [email protected]

Sherry Williams, Past-Chair [email protected]

Aimee Cooper, Secretary [email protected]

Karen Brown, Treasurer [email protected]

“Rook” Cleary, Editor [email protected]

DIRECTORS – 2nd Year – Outgoing

Gwen Burzycki, [email protected]

Sarah Laroque, [email protected]

Greg MacDonald, [email protected]

Gregg Walker, [email protected]

DIRECTORS – 1st Year

Kristine Campbell [email protected]

Jimmy Lange [email protected]

Mike Middlebrook [email protected]

Cody Miller [email protected]

CONFERENCE COMMITTEE CHAIRS

Local Arrangements Sherry Williams, [email protected]

Program Chair/CEUs Karen Brown, [email protected]

Registration Gayle Edwards, [email protected]

Silent Auction Christen Mason, [email protected]

Vendors Jim Burney; Karen Brown [email protected]

STANDING COMMITTEE CHAIRS

By-Laws Mike Renda, [email protected]

Checklist Sarah Laroque, [email protected]

CISMA Grant Gregg Walker, [email protected]

Control and Evaluation Greg MacDonald, [email protected]

Education/Outreach Grant Kris Campbell, [email protected]

Finance Ruark Cleary, [email protected]

Legislative Deah Lieurance, [email protected]

Membership Gayle Edwards, [email protected]

Merchandise Jimmy Lange, [email protected]

Nominations Jim Burney, [email protected]

Outreach Christen Mason, [email protected]

Plant Industry Liaison Gary Knox, [email protected]

Plant List Ken Langeland, [email protected]

Research Grant Jim Cuda, [email protected]

Webmaster/Liaison Chuck Bargeron, [email protected] Karen Brown, [email protected]

3FLEPPC 2017 ANNUAL CONFERENCE - MELBOURNE, FL

mailto:[email protected]






















FLEPPC 2017 CONFERENCE AGENDA

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12th

8:00 – 9:30 Registration – Foyer 8:00 – 5:00 Vendor Set-Up, Poster Set-Up, Silent Auction Set-Up – St Lucia/St Martin Rooms 9:30 – 11:30 FLEPPC Board Meeting (All are welcome to attend) – St Croix/St Thomas Rooms 12:00 – 1:00 Registration – Foyer 1:00 – 5:25 Oral Presentations – Aruba Room 5:00 – 6:30 Poster Session and Welcome Social – St Lucia/St Martin Rooms

ORAL PRESENTATIONS – Aruba Room

SESSION I – WELCOME, KEYNOTE SPEAKER, INVITED SPEAKER – CEU SESSION ID: 23169 Moderator – Christen Mason

1:00 – 1:10 – Welcome and Announcements – Christen Mason, FLEPPC Chair

1:10 – 2:00 – Keynote Speaker – Don Cipollini, Ph.D., Causes and Consequences of the Host Range Expansion of

Emerald Ash Borer in North America

2:00 – 2:50 – Stephen Enloe, Ph.D., Do Graminicides have a Future in Aquatic Invasive Grass Management in Florida? 2:50 – 3:20 – NETWORKING BREAK IN VENDOR ROOM

SESSION II – STUDENT ORAL PRESENTATIONS – CEU SESSION ID: 23175 Moderator: Greg MacDonald

3:20 – 3:45 – Emma Byerly – Facilitation among Invasive Plant Species under Experimental Drought 3:45 – 4:10 – Cathy Fahey – Grass Invasion Overwhelms Chronic Drought in Structuring Plant Communities 4:10 – 4:35 – Candice Prince – Chemical Control of Phragmites australis under Climate Change Conditions

4:35 – 5:00 – Cody Lastinger – Changing the “Hack and Squirt” Paradigm for Woody, Invasive Plant Control

5:00 – 6:30 – POSTER SESSION AND WELCOME SOCIAL IN VENDOR ROOM

THURSDAY, APRIL 13th

8:00 – 12:00 Registration – Foyer 8:00 – 5:00 Vendor Exhibits, Poster Display, Silent Auction Display – St Lucia/St Martin Rooms 8:00 – 12:00 Oral Presentations – Aruba Room 12:30 – 4:30 Field Trips – Meet in Foyer 12:30 – 4:30 FISP/CISMA Session – Aruba Room 6:00 – 7:30 Banquet – Ocean Deck Pavilion 7:30 – 10:00 Awards, Silent Auction Ends – Vendor Room

ORAL PRESENTATIONS – Aruba Room

SESSION III – ORAL PRESENTATIONS – CEU SESSION ID: 23176 Moderator: Karen Brown

8:00 – 8:10 – Vendor Update – Dharmen Setaram (Winfield Solutions) 8:10 – 8:35 – John Kunzer – Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Invasive Plant Management

Section Status Update For Current Treatment Procedures 8:35 – 9:00 – Candice Prince & Greg MacDonald – Cane Grasses of Florida – A New ID Guide 9:00 – 9:50 – Erick Revuelta – Invasive Grasses of Florida and Their Native Look-Alikes: A Grass Identification

Workshop 9:50 – 10:20 – NETWORKING BREAK IN VENDOR ROOM

4 FLEPPC 2017 ANNUAL CONFERENCE - MELBOURNE, FL

SESSION IV – ORAL PRESENTATIONS – CEU SESSION ID: 23177 Moderator: Jimmy Lange

10:20 – 10:25 – Vendor Update – Katherine Murray (Environmental Quality, Inc.) 10:25 – 10:35 – Jim Burney – Invasive Plant Management Association Update 10:35 – 11:00 – Antonio Pernas – The Everglades Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area Experience 11:00 – 11:25 – Cheryl Millett – The Central Florida Lygodium Strategy: Where are we with Lygodium

microphyllum and What’s Next? 11:25 – 11:50 – Deah Lieurance – An Update from the UF/IFAS Assessment of Non-Native Plants in Florida’s

Natural Areas 11:50 – 12:15 – Chuck Bargeron – EDDMapS PRO – A New App for Professionals to Collect Invasive Species

SESSION V – FIELD TRIPS OR FISP/CISMA SESSION – 12:30 – 4:30 (EVERYONE PICK UP LUNCHES)

A. FIELD TRIPS – 12:30–4:30 – MEET TRIP LEADERS IN FOYER – CEU SESSION ID: 23178 1. Basal bark demo & workshop 2. Indian River Lagoon restoration project 3. St. Sebastian River State Park post-restoration management tour

B. FISP/CISMA SESSION – 12:45 – 4:15 – ARUBA ROOM 12:45 – 2:15 – Right of Way discussion with Jon Heller, FL DOT 2:30 – 4:00 – Social Marketing: How to Find your Audience with Laura Warner, UFL 4:00 – 4:15 – New UF/IFAS Invasive Species Extension Coordinator, Rose Godfrey

6:00 – 7:30 – BANQUET – Ocean Deck Pavilion 7:30 – 10:00 – AWARDS, SILENT AUCTION ENDS IN VENDOR ROOM

FRIDAY, APRIL 14th

8:00 – 12:10 – Oral Presentations – Aruba Room 12:20 – Conference Concludes

SESSION VI – ORAL PRESENTATIONS – CEU SESSION ID: 23179 Moderator: Kelli Gladding

8:00 – 8:10 – Vendor Update – Kelli Gladding (SEPRO) 8:10 – 8:35 – Chelsea Cunard – Exotic Plant Prevention: Assessing the Invasion Risk Associated with

Shipping Containers Entering the Port of Savannah

8:35 – 9:00 – FLEPPC BUSINESS MEETING (Prize drawing mid-meeting)

9:00 – 9:25 – Fred Fishel – Current Status of Herbicide Resistance in Non-Crop Areas 9:25 – 9:50 – Candice Prince and Greg MacDonald – Broad-Scale Herbicide Applications to Control Japanese

Climbing Fern Reproduction and Growth across Florida’s Climatic Zones 9:50 – 10:00 – James Estrada – Clonal Integration Enhances Performance in a Highly Invasive Grass 10:00 – 10:30 – NETWORKING BREAK IN VENDOR ROOM

SESSION VII – ORAL PRESENTATIONS – CEU SESSION ID: 23180 Moderator: Gwen Burzycki

10:30 – 10:40 – Vendor Update – Danielle Alston (FLATWOOD NATIVES-HABITAT SOLUTIONS] 10:40 – 11:05 – Jim Cuda - The Gall Midge Orseolia javanica (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), a Candidate

Biological Control Agent of Cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica)

11:05 – 11:30 – Greg Jubinsky – Observations of the Kalanchoe Species Found along Florida’s East Coast 11:30 – 11:55 – Colette Jacono – Development of Taxonomic Tools for the Separation of Ludwigia Hexapetala and

Ludwigia grandiflora in Florida 11:55 – 12:20 – Greg Jubinsky – Decontamination: An Invasive Weed EDRR Tool Too Often Overlooked

12:20 – CONFERENCE CONCLUDES


2017/2019 SLATE OF NOMINEES – FLEPPC BOARD OF DIRECTORS

CHAIR-ELECT NOMINEE

Jimmy Lange is a botanist with several years of experience working with South Florida plants and ecosystems. Graduating with

honors from the University of Florida with a Bachelor’s of Science in Environmental Science, Jimmy began his research career

studying effects of time-since-fire on foliar nutrients of scrub palmettos under the guidance of the Mack Ecosystem Ecology Lab. He

went on to join the Plant Ecology Lab at Archbold Biological Station where he assisted on a number of research projects on several

rare plant populations and scrub habitat. He then worked at the Michigan Tech Research Institute where he conducted ground-truthing

surveys of Great Lakes wetland plant communities and worked on mapping the invasive Phragmites australis. Jimmy is currently

completing a master’s degree at Florida Atlantic University where he has been studying impacts of Melaleuca quinquenervia and

management practices on plant communities in the northern Everglades under Dr. Brian Benscoter. Jimmy joined the Institute for

Regional Conservation (IRC) in January 2014 working on several projects relating to rare plant research and habitat management, and

is a current research associate. During this time he also was a botanist with Keith & Schnars, conducting plant surveys of several

mitigation sites. He currently is a field botanist with the South Florida Conservation Team at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden where

he continues to work with south Florida plants and ecosystems, primarily focusing on mapping and monitoring of rare species, as well

as helping guide management activities that promote native plant diversity.

Jimmy Lange, Field Botanist, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, Coral Gables, FL, Office: (305)667-1651, x 3515; Cell: (954)254-1020;

[email protected]

BOARD OF DIRECTOR NOMINEES

Craig van der Heiden is a conservation biologist and restoration ecologist working as the CEO of the Florida-based environmental

non-profit company, the Institute for Regional Conservation. He completed advanced degrees at Florida Atlantic University in

Environmental Science (MS, 2005) and Integrative Biology - Ecology (PhD, 2012) studying the relocation of rhino in a sanctuary in

Malawi, Africa, and the distribution and movement patterns of slough crayfish in the Central Everglades, respectively. Craig puts his

diverse background into practice through research and applied management projects on rare and endangered flora and fauna as well as

ecological restoration projects in Florida’s ecosystems. His work includes invasive species removal, the application of fire within

ecosystem management, demographic studies on rare species, and vegetation responses to climate change.

Craig van der Heiden, PhD, CEO, The Institute for Regional Conservation, Delray Beach, FL; (561)573-6302; [email protected]

Erick Revuelta is a Scientist with the St. Johns River Water Management District. He graduated from the University of Miami with a

degree in Environmental Science. He has worked in natural resource planning, land resource management and permitting in the public

and private sectors throughout the State of Florida. His current work includes performing formal wetland jurisdictional determinations,

reviewing environmental resource applications and providing technical support and plant identification trainings to District staff. He

has lead graminoid field identification and plant identification workshops in South and North Florida and volunteers with the South

Florida Conservation Team at Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden.

Erick Revuelta, Regulatory Scientist II, Bureau of Environmental Resource Regulation, St. Johns River Water Management District, Palatka, FL;

[email protected]; (386)643-1933

Brian Lockwood is currently the leader of the NPS Florida/Caribbean Exotic Plant Management Team based in Palmetto Bay. In this

position, he oversees hiring/supervision of the team members and a program that provides invasive plant management services to 15

parks in Florida and the Caribbean. Brian assists these parks and numerous partners with technical guidance, data management,

contracting and agreements, compliance, training and education activities, and other aspects of running a successful invasive plant

management program. Brian is a graduate of the University of West Florida, with a B.S. in Biology. He began his federal career in

natural resources management with the NPS at Biscayne NP in 1991 where he worked for10 years. He then held positions with

USFWS in the Florida Keys as a Marine Biologist and in Oklahoma as an Assistant Refuge Manager. In 2009 he returned to the NPS

at Big Thicket National Preserve in Texas as Preserve Biologist and finally as the Mid-Atlantic Exotic Plant Management Team

Liaison in Virginia from 2012 until 2016, before assuming his present duties with the FLC EPMT in 2016.

Brian Lockwood, National Park Service, Florida/Caribbean Exotic Plant Management Team Liaison, Palmetto Bay, FL; Office: (786)249-0073

Cell: (540)742-2831; [email protected]

Katharine Murray has 25+ years of experience in environmental science and planning. She is the owner and CEO of Environmental

Quality, Inc. (EQI), founded in 1990. EQI’s focus is environmental consulting and contracting with emphasis on exotic vegetation

management, native habitat restoration, water quality, and island ecosystems. Many of her projects include wetland delineation,

natural resource assessment, and native plant propagation. EQI has offices in Jupiter/Tequesta FL and Honolulu, HI. Katharine

received her degree in Oceanographic Technology from Florida Institute of Technology in Jensen Beach, FL and studied biology with

emphasis in agricultural science at Berry College in Rome, GA. Katharine is a Licensed Environmental Professional with NAEP, a

certified Infrastructure Preparedness Specialist, and is Vice Chair of the Palm Beach County Planning Commission.

Katharine Murray, Environmental Quality, Inc., Tequesta, FL; Office: (561)575-6778; Cell: (561)714-4172; [email protected]







ABSTRACTS – ORAL PRESENTATIONS

(in order by program agenda)

Wednesday, April 12, SESSION I – KEYNOTE SPEAKER AND INVITED

SPEAKER – Moderator: Christen Mason

CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCES OF THE HOST RANGE EXPANSION OF EMERALD ASH

BORER IN NORTH AMERICA

Don Cipollini, Ph.D., Professor, Plant Physiology/Chemical Ecology and Director, Environmental Sciences Ph.D.

Program, Wright State University, Department of Biological Sciences, 203 Biological Sciences I, 3640 Colonel

Glenn Highway, Dayton, OH 45435; 937-775-3805; [email protected]

BIO: Don Cipollini is a Professor of Biological Sciences at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio and Director

of Wright State’s Interdisciplinary Environmental Sciences PhD program. His research focuses on the physiology

and ecology of plant defenses to herbivores and pathogens and the physiology, ecology and management of

invasive plants and insects. For the past twelve years, Dr. Cipollini has worked as part of a collaborative team to

identify host resistance mechanisms to emerald ash borer, and to examine chemical determinants of adult

attraction and larval responses to host plant defenses. He has published 100 peer-reviewed papers and has

received research funding from a variety of state and federal sources, including USDA and NSF. He is director of

Pi Epsilon, the National Environmental Sciences Honor Society, past chair of the Ohio Plant Biotechnology

Consortium, and a past board member of the Ohio Invasive Plants Council. Dr. Cipollini is on the editorial boards

of the journals, Environmental Entomology and Journal of Chemical Ecology, and is a past winner of a Wright

State University Presidential Award for Faculty Excellence.

ABSTRACT: Since its discovery in 2002, there were no reports of the ash-killing emerald ash borer developing

in any non-ash host in the field in North America... until 2014. Don Cipollini will describe the process of

discovering that emerald ash borer can attack and complete development in white fringetree, Chionanthus

virginicus, a species native to the southeastern United States that is planted ornamentally. Further studies have

revealed that this phenomenon is widespread, yet questions remain about why this has occurred, what risks

emerald ash borer poses to this species and how to protect it. New research has revealed other potential hosts that

range from federally endangered species to cultivated trees. Cipollini will address these questions, as well as the

broader implications of this finding for other herbivorous insects interacting with novel hosts.

DO GRAMINICIDES HAVE A FUTURE IN AQUATIC INVASIVE GRASS MANAGEMENT

IN FLORIDA?

Stephen F. Enloe1 and Michael Netherland

2

1Stephen F. Enloe, Associate Professor, Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants, University of Florida,

Gainesville, FL, 352-339-1319; [email protected]; 2Michael Netherland, Ph.D., US Army ERDC, Gainesville, FL;

352-392-0335; [email protected]

BIO: Dr. Enloe has been involved with invasive plant research and extension for the past 19 years. He has worked

throughout the western and southeastern United States, including California, Colorado, Wyoming, Alabama, and

now Florida. Over the last eight years, Dr. Enloe has worked extensively on cogongrass, Chinese privet, Chinese

tallowtree, Japanese climbing fern, Chinaberry tree, and a host of other invasive plants. He has also recently





worked in the area of bioenergy with an emphasis on preventing potential bioenergy species from becoming the

next big invader. Dr. Enloe earned his Ph.D. at UC Davis in Plant Biology under Joe DiTomaso, a Master’s

degree in weed science from Colorado State University under Scott Nissen, and an undergraduate degree in

Agronomy from NC State.

ABSTRACT: Torpedograss (Panicum repens) is an invasive grass that is very difficult to manage in aquatic

systems. For many years, non-selective treatments of glyphosate and imazapyr have been the only options that

provide meaningful control. However, the lack of selectivity with both herbicides has resulted in considerable

non-target damage to many desirable plant species. To address this, the selective graminicide sethoxydim received

an experimental use permit in Florida in 2015. Under that permit, in 2016, we evaluated sethoxydim efficacy on

torpedograss in a constructed wetland near Bonita Springs, FL. Treatments consisted of single or sequential

broadcast applications of sethoxydim at 0.5 kg/ha and a glyphosate + imazapyr commercial standard. Sequential

treatments were applied at 14 or 14 and 28 days after initial treatment (DAIT). The experiment was initiated on

April 27, 2016 and was repeated beginning on May 27, 2016. For both experimental runs, torpedograss visual

control data was collected at 30, 60, 90, and 180 DAIT. Additionally, live green torpedograss cover was estimated

in three randomly placed one square meter quadrats at 180 DAIT. Live belowground biomass was quantified at 90

and 180 DAIT with a 15 cm diameter aquatic sediment sampler to a depth of 30 cm. Single applications of

sethoxydim resulted in poor visual control at all sample dates. However, sequential (two or three sethoxydim

treatments) resulted in torpedograss visual control and comparable to the glyphosate + imazapyr commercial

standard at 60, 90, and 180 DAIT. However, sequential sethoxydim treatments did not negatively impact

torpedograss rhizomes to the extent of the glyphosate + imazapyr treatment. These results indicate that repeated

applications of sethoxydim may be useful for torpedograss control and may be most useful when selectivity is

needed.

Wednesday, April 12, SESSION II – STUDENT PRESENTATION SESSION

Moderator: Greg MacDonald

FACILITATION AMONG INVASIVE PLANT SPECIES UNDER EXPERIMENTAL

DROUGHT (STUDENT PRESENTATION)

Emma Byerly1 and S. Luke Flory

2

1Agronomy Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, [email protected]

2Agronomy Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 352-294-1593, [email protected]

BIO: Emma Byerly is an undergraduate studying plant science at the University of Florida. She is interested in

the impacts of climate change on plant invasions and hopes to continue her studies into graduate school.

ABSTRACT: Native communities are increasingly subjected to multiple invaders but the interactions between

these species are not well understood. One invader may create conditions that facilitate other invaders, which

could ultimately lead to a suite of invasive species replacing the native community (i.e., invasional meltdown). In

addition, climate change conditions such as drought may stress native communities and promote establishment of

and facilitation among plant invaders. Here we sought to determine if the invasive cogongrass (Imperata

cylindrica) facilitated other invaders under drought conditions. Performance of lantana (Lantana camara),

Chinese tallow (Triadica sebifera), and Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius) was evaluated in common

garden plots that were treated with a factorial combination of cogongrass invasion and reduced rainfall compared

to controls. Across all secondary invader species, rodent herbivory was on average 130% higher in invaded than

uninvaded plots, resulting in 10-40% lower survival. Despite greater herbivory, cogongrass invasion quadrupled




average biomass of secondary invaders relative to uninvaded controls, regardless of drought treatment. Likewise,

drought resulted in 250% greater invader biomass relative to ambient rainfall conditions. For all secondary

invaders, plant growth and final biomass were lowest in uninvaded plots with ambient rainfall. In addition,

lantanas in this treatment did not reach reproductive maturity, suggesting some degree of biotic resistance by

intact native communities. Our results demonstrate that drought and cogongrass each facilitated secondary

invaders, reaffirming calls for invasive species removal and mitigation of climate change conditions.

GRASS INVASION OVERWHELMS CHRONIC DROUGHT IN STRUCTURING PLANT

COMMUNITIES (STUDENT PRESENTATION)

Cathy Fahey1, Christine Angelini

2, and S. Luke Flory

3

1School of Natural Resources and Environment, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 607-592-5202,

[email protected]; 2Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL,

[email protected]; 3Agronomy Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, [email protected]

BIO: Cathy Fahey is a Ph.D. candidate in the School of Natural Resources and Environment at the University of

Florida. Her research focuses on the interactions between non-native plant invasions and climate change, with

particular emphasis on plant-soil interactions.

ABSTRACT: Climate change and species invasions are simultaneously affecting many ecosystems worldwide;

however, few studies have investigated how climate-related physical stress and competition with invasive species

may interact to regulate native plant community structure over time. Imperata cylindrica (cogongrass) is a highly

problematic invasive grass that has infested nearly every county in Florida. Future climate scenarios predict

increased drought conditions for the region and climate change has the potential to increase the success and

exacerbate the effects of invasions. Our goal was to investigate the individual and interactive effects of I.

cylindrica invasion and drought on the threatened plant communities of longleaf pine forests. We planted longleaf

pine seedlings and native herbaceous plant species in 40, 4 m × 4 m plots, and applied a factorial combination of

I. cylindrica invasion and rainout shelters to simulate drought. At six times over two years, we recorded plant

community composition. Instead of interacting synergistically to alter plant communities, invasion by I.

cylindrica reduced the magnitude of the drought treatment such that soil moisture was higher in the invaded-

drought than the uninvaded-drought treatments. Furthermore, the drought treatment did not significantly affect I.

cylindrica cover. By the third year of the experiment, invasion alone reduced species richness by 50% and

drought reduced richness by 13%, while in plots experiencing both stressors richness was similar to plots with

invasion alone. Native plant community composition diverged greatly over time in response to invasion, but

showed minimal response to drought. Invaded plots maintained >60% live cover in February versus <30% in

native plots, suggesting the extended phenology of I. cylindrica may promote its dominance. Our results indicate

that chronic drought does not exacerbate the impacts of invasion as predicted, but that considerable losses of plant

diversity are associated with invasion regardless of the ambient or drought conditions.

CHEMICAL CONTROL OF PHRAGMITES AUSTRALIS UNDER CLIMATE CHANGE

CONDITIONS (STUDENT PRESENTATION)

Candice M. Prince1, Greg E. MacDonald

2, and John E. Erickson

2

1 Environmental Horticulture Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 321-446-1035,

[email protected] ; 2 Agronomy Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, [email protected];

[email protected]








BIO: Candice Prince is a Ph.D. student in the Environmental Horticulture Department at the University of

Florida. Her research focuses on the response of invasive grasses to environmental change, and how these

responses impact management. Candice also received her Bachelors of Science from the University of Florida in

2014, majoring in Plant Science with an emphasis on Restoration Horticulture.

ABSTRACT: Native wetland plant communities throughout North America have been replaced by dense

monocultures of Phragmites australis (common reed; hereafter referred to as Phragmites). This species is divided

into haplotypes, with native and exotic haplotypes present in the United States. Two haplotypes present

management concerns in Florida: Haplotype M (an aggressive Eurasian haplotype) was first identified in the state

in 2013, and haplotype I (which has unclear origins) has recently become aggressive in disturbed freshwater

wetlands. Increases in atmospheric CO2 concentrations and temperature can have a significant impact on the

growth characteristics and physiological processes of C3 species such as Phragmites, potentially altering their

herbicide tolerance. We examined this relationship in a greenhouse experiment. Haplotypes I and M were grown

under elevated (700 ppm, 22/34 ⁰C) or ambient (390 ppm CO2, 18/30 ⁰C) climate conditions for six weeks, before

being treated with glyphosate (0.5 lb.-a.i. per acre). Morphological and photosynthetic characteristics were

measured prior to herbicide application. Visual injury symptoms were recorded weekly for 30 days, before height,

stem number, and aboveground biomass were measured. Plants regrew for another 30 days before height, stem

number, and biomass were measured. Haplotype I showed fewer stress responses to glyphosate treatment under

elevated climate conditions, while the response of haplotype M to treatment was largely unaffected by climate.

CHANGING THE “HACK AND SQUIRT” PARADIGM FOR WOODY, INVASIVE PLANT

CONTROL (STUDENT PRESENTATION)

1Cody A. Lastinger and

2Stephen F. Enloe

University of Florida, Department of Agronomy, Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants, Gainesville, Florida; 1(863) 581-5033, [email protected];

2(352) 392-6841, [email protected]

BIO: Cody Lastinger is a Ph.D. student in the Agronomy Department at the University of Florida. His research is

in invasive weed management, with a focus on Brazilian peppertree control in Florida mangrove communities

under the direction of Dr. Stephen Enloe. Cody received his M.S. from the Agronomy Department at the

University of Florida in August 2015, in Weed Science with a focus in pasture weed management under the

direction of Dr. Brent Sellers. He was born and raised in Lakeland Florida, and attended Florida Southern College

receiving a B.S. in citrus production in May of 2015.

ABSTRACT: Hack and squirt is a commonly used approach for woody plant control in forestry, rights of ways,

and natural areas. The approach is highly selective as a series of hacks are generally made either continuously or

semi-continuously around the trunk of a tree with a hatchet or machete and an herbicide solution is injected into

each hack. Our goal was to determine if we could reduce the number of hacks on both single stem and multiple

stem species to a single hack per stem at a height of 75 cm, reducing the time and energy to treat each and still

achieve acceptable control. We compared aminopyralid and aminocyclopyrachlor (0.5 ml of 100 % v/v herbicide)

injected into a single hack per stem on nine different invasive woody plant species. We compared these to both

basal bark treatment with triclopyr ester (20% v/v) and cut stump treatment with triclopyr amine (50% v/v). Data

collected included time to treat each individual plant, the amount of herbicide used, and percent canopy

defoliation. Species were treated in individual studies, and blocked by size (diameter at breast height) with three

size classes <4, 4 to8, 8 to 12 inches DBH. This presentation will focus on 8 species: Casuarina equisetifolia,

Vernicia fordii, Triadica sebifera, Bischofia javanica, Leucaena leucocephala, Melaleuca quinquenervia,

Eugenia uniflora, and Schinus terebinthifolius. Aminopyralid was not different from either the aminocyclopyra-




chlor or cut stump treatments on Casuarina, Bischofia, Vernicia, Triadica, Schinus, and Leucaena. Basal bark

treatments provided significantly less control on all species, except Casuarina, Leucaena, and Schinus when

compared to aminocyclopyrachlor and cut stump treatments. On Triadica, Bischofia, Eugenia, and Vernicia, basal

bark treatment resulted in less defoliation in the 8 to 12 inch DBH size class than in the two smaller size classes.

Similar results were observed on Triadica, Bischofia, Leucaena, and Melaleuca tree from aminopyralid and on

Leucaena from aminocyclopyrachlor. The studies will be continued through the second growing season following

treatment to determine tree mortality. However, our current data suggests that this reduced hack and squirt

approach may be a viable alternative to basal bark and cut stump treatments.

Thursday, April 13, SESSION III – Moderator: Gwen Burzycki

FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION (FWC) INVASIVE

PLANT MANAGEMENT SECTION (IPMS) STATUS UPDATE FOR CURRENT

TREATMENT PROCEDURES

John M. Kunzer, Biologist, FWC IPMS, Tallahassee FL, 850-617-9420, [email protected]

BIO: John Kunzer is the FWC/IPMS-Uplands north region coordinator and Chief TIERS Administrator. He holds

an AS in Professional Photography and a BS in Biological Science, and spent 6 years at the University of South

Florida Herbarium. He was the Park Biologist for Tomoka State Park from 2009 to 2012, and has been with

FWC/IPMS since 2012. John has been with the Uplands subsection of FWC/IPMS since December of 2015.

ABSTRACT: We will present information on our program, specifically why we don’t currently treat certain

species, and other species we’ll only treat under the condition that the Site Manager has to agree to a requisite set

of steps before and/or after the treatment, depending on the conditional species. We also want to quickly address

some misidentification issues that are a common problem in EDDMaps, specifically the “Pampasgrass”

conundrum and Albizia julibrissin vs. Leucaena leucocephala.

CANE GRASSES OF FLORIDA – A NEW ID GUIDE

Candice M. Prince1 and Greg MacDonald

2

1 Environmental Horticulture Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 321-446-1035,

[email protected] ; 2 Agronomy Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 352-294-1594

[email protected]





BIO: Greg MacDonald is a professor of Weed Science/Agronomy and teaches undergraduate and several

graduate weed science and crop production courses, including on-line distance education courses. He investigates

the physiology, ecology and management of invasive species, focusing on perennial grasses – cogongrass, in

particular. He also conducts research on the physiological aspects of herbicides in aquatic systems and

mechanisms of herbicide resistance in aquatic plants. In addition to research on invasive species, he is actively

involved in international development with an emphasis on peanut production, utilization, and value added

marketing.





ABSTRACT: Non-native grasses pose severe threats to a wide range of habitat types in the state of Florida, but

correct identification of these species can be challenging due to the unique morphological features of the grass

family. This is particularly true for the large-statured cane species, which have very similar physical

characteristics, especially between desirable native grasses and non-native exotic grass species. In this workshop,

we will discuss the identifying features for several of the common native and exotic cane grasses that can be

found in the state of Florida, such as Burma reed, common reed, and giant bristlegrass. These species are featured

in a new FLEPPC-funded identification guide (Cane Grasses of Florida), which will be freely available at this

workshop. Management of these grasses will also be discussed.

INVASIVE GRASSES OF FLORIDA AND THEIR NATIVE LOOK-ALIKES: A GRASS

IDENTIFICATION WORKSHOP

Erick Revuelta, Compliance Coordinator, Jacksonville & Palatka Service Centers, St. Johns River Water

Management District, 386-643-1933; [email protected]

BIO: Erick Revuelta has been involved with invasive plant management and research as a land manager,

consultant and regulator. He has worked as a field botanist in projects throughout the State of Florida. He has also

co-lead several field identification workshops focused on the grasses, sedges and rushes of Everglades National

Park. At the St. Johns River Water Management District, he is a compliance coordinator and provides technical

support and internal botanical trainings/workshops for District staff.

ABSTRACT: With 447 species, Poaceae is the largest plant family in Florida. Over 40% of all the grasses in the

State are exotic and 16 are designated as invasive by the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council (FLEPCC). Many of

these invasive species are notoriously difficult to manage and their successful eradication often depends on early

detection and treatment. As a result, a land manager’s ability to recognize a particular species is a crucial skill.

The large number of grasses, their unique adaptations, reduction and intricacy of their flowering parts, and ability

to intergrade or hybridize, make identification a difficult task. Successful identification of a grass plant relies on

the researcher’s familiarity with their vegetative morphology, in particular the characteristics and nomenclature of

the structures associated with the grass inflorescence. This presentation will provide an overview of relevant

taxonomic terms and grass morphology, followed by a review of ten of the 16 invasive species listed by FLEPCC

that are most often confused with natives with an emphasis on how to tell them apart. Fresh and pressed

specimens will be examined. A few widespread exotic grass species that are not designated as invasive will be

covered as well.

Thursday, April 13, SESSION IV – Moderator: Jimmy Lange

THE EVERGLADES COOPERATIVE INVASIVE SPECIES MANAGEMENT AREA

EXPERIENCE

Antonio J. Pernas, Botanist, Big Cypress National Preserve, Ochopee, Florida, 239-695-1111,

[email protected]; Dennis J. Giardina, Everglades Region Biologist, Florida Fish and Wildlife

Conservation Commission, Invasive Plant Management Section, Naples, FL, 239-229-5403,

[email protected]

BIO: Tony Pernas’ career has focused on invasive plant and animal management. He started in 1988 as a

Resource Management Specialist with the US National Park Service at Big Cypress National Preserve in south

Florida. From 1999 to 2000 he worked as the Supervisory Botanist for Everglades National Park. In 2000 he was





instrumental in establishing the Florida/Caribbean Exotic Plant Management Team. He served as the team’s

coordinator since its inception until August, 2015 when he began his current position as Botanist of Big Cypress

National Preserve.

BIO: Dennis Giardina’s career has focused on endangered species recovery and exotic species control for 27

years. He began in 1989 as a wildlife technician with the US Forest Service at the Caribbean National Forest,

working on the Puerto Rican Parrot Recovery. From 1991 to 1996 he worked as a forestry technician at St. Marks

National Wildlife Refuge, restoring long leaf pine ecosystems, and from 1996 to 2005 he worked as a biological

science technician at Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge with a variety of endangered and invasive exotic

species. From 2005 to 2008 he was the Park Manager of Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park before accepting

his current position of Everglades Region Biologist for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Since 2008, he has been the Co-Chair of Everglades Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (ECISMA)

and from 2012 to 2014 he was the Chair of the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council.

ABSTRACT: Everglades Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (ECISMA) is a formal partnership of

federal, state and local government agencies and private, public and tribal land managers who also manage

invasive species. ECISMA’s geographical boundary encompasses the Everglades Protection Area, the Everglades

Agricultural Area and all or part Broward, Collier, Miami-Dade, Monroe and Palm Beach Counties. The Greater

Everglades is a naturally diverse, dynamic system that hosts a growing number of invasive exotic plants and

animals. The frequent detection of new invasive species over the past decade has inspired a commitment by the

partners of ECISMA to cooperate across their borders to eradicate or contain them. A lot has been accomplished,

much has been learned and this presentation will provide an update on ECISMA’s early detection/rapid response

efforts, its ongoing management activities and the increasing level of support provided by the Friends of

ECISMA, a not-for-profit organization.

THE CENTRAL FLORIDA LYGODIUM STRATEGY – WHERE ARE WE WITH

LYGODIUM MICROPHYLLUM AND WHAT’S NEXT?

Cheryl B. Millett1, Tony Cintron

2

1 The Nature Conservancy, Babson Park, FL, [email protected] ;

2Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation

Commission, Orlando, FL, [email protected]

BIO: Cheryl Millett is a Biologist with the Florida Chapter of The Nature Conservancy at Tiger Creek Preserve.

She has led landscape-scale partnership projects, including Jay Watch (now run by Florida Audubon), Python

Patrol (now run by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission), the Ocala Longleaf Local

Implementation Team, and the Heartland Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area.

ABSTRACT: The Central Florida Lygodium Strategy has been led by The Nature Conservancy as a public-

private partnership to stop the northward spread of Old World climbing fern while waiting for biocontrol or other

advances to bolster control. The effort has involved increasing awareness and surveys on the northern edge of

Lygodium microphyllum’s distribution to find it. It has involved prioritizing treatment on public lands and partner

funding for treatment on private lands to kill it. And to measure success, partners have monitored sentinel sites

along the northern edge. In the wake of recent years with prolonged wet weather that has delayed access to treat

infestations, mild winters that have allowed the plant to grow year-round, and Hurricane Matthew, the strategy

faces a crossroads. Find out how well this strategy has worked, the current status, how biocontrols are helping, the

future direction, and lessons learned.




AN UPDATE FROM THE UF/IFAS ASSESSMENT OF NON-NATIVE PLANTS IN

FLORIDA’S NATURAL AREAS

Deah Lieurance1 and S. Luke Flory

2

1Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, [email protected];

2Agronomy Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, [email protected]

BIO: Deah Lieurance has been the coordinator of the UF/IFAS Assessment since 2013. In the past 4 years, she

helped redesign the Assessment website and added approximately 100 species to the species database. Deah

received her Ph.D from Wright State University in 2012 and spent 3 years in Ft. Lauderdale at the USDA Invasive

Plant Research Laboratory participating in research on the biocontrol of Melaleuca and Schinus. She previously

served on the FLEPPC board of directors and currently serves as the chair of the legislative committee.

ABSTRACT: To reduce the introduction, spread, and impacts of invasive plants, the UF/IFAS Assessment is

used to evaluate the invasion risk of non-native plants in Florida that are 1) already present in the state, 2)

proposed for introduction, or 3) new cultivars proposed for release. The results of the UF/IFAS Assessment and

outreach efforts help to ensure that plant species with invasive characteristics are not recommended for use by the

University of Florida (UF), state and federal agencies, or the general public. This, in turn, decreases the potential

for invasions into natural areas and croplands throughout the Southeast region. Recommendations made by the

UF/IFAS Assessment are transparent and available at assessment.ifas.ufl.edu. Since the Assessment was first

implemented, 857 non-native plant species have been evaluated. This past year 163 species were re-assessed with

the Status Assessment, 58 species were evaluated with the Predictive Tool, 5 cultivars were evaluated with the

Infraspecific Taxon Protocol, and 7 new species were added to the database. Adding new species and updating the

conclusions for assessments on the UF/IFAS Assessment web site is ongoing and we continue to conduct re-

assessments for species when new information becomes available.

EDDMAPS PRO – A NEW APP FOR PROFESSIONALS TO COLLECT INVASIVE SPECIES

Chuck Bargeron, Associate Director, Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health, University of Georgia,

Tifton, GA 31793, 229-386-3289, [email protected]

BIO: Chuck has been with the University of Georgia for 18 years where his work focuses on invasive species and

information technology. He has a B.S. and M.S in Computer Science. Websites that he designed have been

featured twice in Science Magazine and have received over 1.7 billion hits since 2002. Chuck developed the

infrastructure behind Bugwood Images which runs the ForestryImages.org and Invasive.org websites. Recently,

Chuck has focused on mapping invasive species and tools for Early Detection and Rapid Response using

EDDMapS and smartphone applications. He has led development of 26 smartphone applications including the

first apps for the U.S. Forest Service and National Park Service. He was appointed to the National Invasive

Species Advisory Council in 2013 and elected as Vice-Chair in 2016. Chuck has been an invited speaker at over

80 regional and national conferences and co-authored over 20 journal articles and outreach publications.

ABSTRACT: EDDMapS Pro is a new smartphone app that leverages existing resources, such as the EDDMapS

website and IveGot1, to allow land managers to track and monitor invasive plants infestations and treatments

without cellular connectivity. Specifically, it is focused on four critical features currently missing from

EDDMapS:

1. Ability to select an area of interest on a map through a web interface and download both the satellite

imagery and EDDMapS points/polygons to their smartphones and tablets





2. Ability to view existing infestations (with background imagery) from smartphones and tablets where both

the infestations and current location are displayed when users don’t have cellular connectivity

3. Ability add new infestations including drawing polygons (with background imagery available) from a

smartphone or tablet when users don’t have cellular connectivity and sync back to EDDMapS when

devices are back on cellular or WiFi connectivity

4. Ability to revisit/update existing infestations sites with treatment or size expansion/reduction from a

smartphone or tablet when users don’t have cellular connectivity and sync back to EDDMapS when

devices are back on cellular or WiFi connectivity

EDDMapS Pro is an advanced version of the existing apps focused on implementing these much needed and

requested features.

Thursday, April 13, SESSION V – Field Trips or FISP/CISMA Session (CONCURRENT)

Friday, April 14, SESSION VI – Moderator: Karen Brown

EXOTIC PLANT PREVENTION: ASSESSING THE INVASION RISK ASSOCIATED WITH

SHIPPING CONTAINERS ENTERING THE PORT OF SAVANNAH

Chelsea Cunard1, Kevin Burgess

2, Jarron Gravesande

1, Travis Marsico

1, Jennifer Reed

1, Lauren Whitehurst

2, and

Rima Lucardi3

1Arkansas State University, Dept. of Biological Sciences, and Arkansas State University Herbarium (STAR),

State University, AR; [email protected], [email protected], [email protected],

[email protected]; 2Columbus State University, Dept. of Biology, Columbus, GA;

[email protected], [email protected]; 3USDA Forest Service, Southern

Research Station, Athens, GA; [email protected]

BIO: Chelsea Cunard is a post-doctoral research associate in the Department of Biological Sciences at Arkansas

State University in cooperation with the USDA Forest Service, Southern Research Station. Her research focuses

on invasive plant ecology and she is most interested in performing studies with an applied/management aspect.

Her broad interests include community ecology, population ecology, forest ecology, conservation and restoration.

ABSTRACT: Invasive plant species decrease local native plant richness and abundance as well as shift

ecosystem function and services. Due to the well-known, negative effects of invasive plant species, costs

associated with the control and eradication of invasive plant populations continue to increase. Preventing the

establishment and spread of invasive plant species may be a cost-effective alternative to long-term management in

asset-based protection. Global trade is directly related to the diversity and abundance of invasive species and over

90% of economic trade utilizes sea-transportation (shipping). In our novel study, we examined patterns in the

number of seeds arriving on shipping containers containing agricultural commodities at the Port of Savannah

(GA), the fourth-busiest container terminal in the United States. We sampled refrigerated shipping containers bi-

weekly through a two-year period. Seeds were counted and sorted by type. We expected to find variance across

month with regard to the number of seeds arriving into this gateway. In year-one there was a significant difference

in the average number of seeds and seed types coming in across months analyzed, and we expect this result also in

year-two. Along with seed quantity, germination rate and species identification are also being assessed to identify

and determine the diversity of incoming propagules, and the proportion of seeds that may be a threat to the

southern region of the United States. The goal of this research is to provide data on the entry of exotic seeds into

the United States to allow regulatory agencies to improve rates of interception and policy with regard to non-

native plant propagules entering the nation.









CURRENT STATUS OF HERBICIDE RESISTANCE IN NON-CROP AREAS

Fred M. Fishel, Professor, Agronomy Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL,

352-392-4721, [email protected]

BIO: Dr. Fred Fishel is Professor of Agronomy and Director, Pesticide Information Office, University of

Florida/IFAS since 2005. His primary responsibility is developing study materials and certification exams for

applicators of restricted use pesticides to meet state licensing requirements. Other responsibilities reside in

developing general pesticide education materials and support of county extension agent programming on the local

level. He teaches a graduate level course, IPM 5305, “Principles of Pesticides” each spring semester. Prior to this

current position, Dr. Fishel had been in a similar position at the University of Missouri - Columbia since 1993.

ABSTRACT: The International Survey of Herbicide Resistant Weeds is a collaborative effort between weed

scientists in over 80 countries. Their main objective is to maintain scientific accuracy in the reporting of herbicide

resistant weeds globally. Users of their website may query reports of herbicide resistant weeds sorted by weed

species, herbicide site of action, crop or site, U.S. state, and country. If searched by site, the user is presented with

several choices for sorting non-crop terrestrial sites, including fallow, fencelines, forests, industrial sites, railways,

and roadsides. Because there are relatively few herbicide active ingredients registered in Florida for use on non-

crop sites, such as natural areas and rights-of-way, managing for prevention of herbicide resistance is paramount.

Of the most common active ingredients applied to such sites, there are even fewer modes of action available,

making resistance management difficult. Annual cropping systems have the luxury of more herbicide active

ingredient options to manage resistance due to crop rotation, thus active ingredient rotation on a regular basis. At

the present time, there are few accounts of herbicide resistance in Florida on non-crop terrestrial sites, at least

confirmed. A global perspective of the current status of herbicide resistance on non-crop terrestrial sites will be

described.

BROAD-SCALE HERBICIDE APPLICATIONS TO CONTROL JAPANESE CLIMBING FERN

REPRODUCTION AND GROWTH ACROSS FLORIDA’S CLIMATIC ZONES

Candice M. Prince1 and Greg MacDonald

2

1Environmental Horticulture Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 321-446-1035,

[email protected] ; 2 Agronomy Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 352-294-1594

[email protected]





ABSTRACT: Herbicide recommendations for invasive species have primarily been based on effective control of

mature plants without a greater understanding of reproduction. In this study, we evaluated phenological

differences in the reproductive development of Japanese climbing fern growing across different climatic zones of

Florida in 2015 and 2016. We concurrently evaluated whether specific herbicide treatments and variations in

herbicide application timing could be used to restrict spore development of Japanese climbing fern. We evaluated

two herbicides (glyphosate and metsulfuron methyl) applied alone and in combination during three periods from

July to September, representing different developmental stages of spore reproduction. Due to the earlier

observation of spore development in southern locations, we added earlier herbicide application timing in 2016.

Spore development occurred in southern Florida by early June, but in central Florida and the panhandle mature

sporangia were observed in mid-July and early August of 2015. Similar results were observed in 2016 across





locations. Herbicides were applied using directed backpack sprayers on large plots or patches of sporulating fern

fronds. Fronds were collected 3-4 weeks after herbicide application and evaluated for spore number and spore

viability/gametophyte development. In 2015, herbicide treatments showed variable results on spore number and

germination across locations, possibly confounded by weather events following application. Gametophyte

development was similar at both the western panhandle and central Florida sites and all herbicide treatments

resulted in significantly lower gametophyte growth. Herbicide applications and frond collection has been

completed in 2016 and evaluation of spore phenology is ongoing.

CLONAL INTEGRATION ENHANCES PERFORMANCE IN A HIGHLY INVASIVE GRASS

James A. Estrada1, Chris H. Wilson

2, and S. Luke Flory

1

1Agronomy Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 352-294-159, [email protected]; 352-294-1593,

[email protected]; 2School of Natural Resources and Environment, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL

BIO: James Estrada is a Ph.D. candidate in the Agronomy Department at the University of Florida. His research

focuses on the mechanism and impacts of non-native plant invasions, with particular emphasis on cogongrass

invasion dynamics. James’ research is funded by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC)

mini-grant program.

ABSTRACT: Identifying life-history traits that promote invasiveness is critical to improving our ability to

predict future invaders and protect vulnerable habitats. Clonal traits, such as clonal integration, are frequently

cited to explain the invasiveness of highly successful clonal plants. Clonal integration, or the translocation of

nutrients, water, or photosynthates from parent to daughter ramets, may increase the persistence of daughter

ramets in adverse environmental conditions, improve population performance and persistence, and allow clones to

expand more rapidly than non-clonal plants. However, clonal integration is not ubiquitous among all clonal plants

and its role in invasion success is often unknown. To investigate whether photosynthate integration occurs in the

highly invasive cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica), we exposed parent ramets to an enriched atmosphere of 13

CO2

and collected daughter ramet leaves and rhizomes for isotopic analysis. To determine whether 1) the performance

of daughter ramets was enhanced by photosynthate translocation and 2) ramets experiencing adverse

environmental conditions benefitted more from transferred resources, we manipulated rhizome attachment (intact

or severed) and light availability (full sun or 60% shade) in a factorial design. Our results indicate conclusively

that photosynthate translocation occurs in cogongrass. Daughter rhizome and leaf δ13

C values were enriched by an

average of 785% and 61% over pre-labeling baselines across both light treatments. Photosynthate transfer came at

no perceptible performance cost to parent ramets, but significantly enhanced daughter plant tiller production, fine

root biomass, and total belowground biomass. Thus, photosynthate integration may contribute to the invasion

success of cogongrass by maximizing individual fitness and by extension population-level performance. Although

we expected daughter ramets in the shade treatment to benefit relatively more from photosynthate translocation,

our data (tillers added post-severing) were inconclusive due to high uncertainty in effect size. More broadly, our

results demonstrate the significant benefits that clonal traits can provide to invasive species.

Friday, April 14, SESSION VI – Moderator: Kelli Gladding

THE GALL MIDGE ORSEOLIA JAVANICA (DIPTERA: CECIDOMYIIDAE), A

CANDIDATE BIOLOGICAL CONTROL AGENT OF COGONGRASS (IMPERATA

CYLINDRICA)




James P. Cuda1, William A. Overholt

2, and Purnama Hidayat

3

1Entomology & Nematology Department, Charles Steinmetz Hall, UF/ IFAS, Gainesville, FL, 352-273-3921,

[email protected]; 2Biological Control Research & Containment Laboratory, Indian River REC, UF/ IFAS, Ft.

Pierce, FL, 772-468-3922, [email protected]; 3Department of Plant Protection, Bogor Agricultural University. Jl.

Kamper, IPB Campus Dramaga, Bogor 16680, Indonesia, +62 251 8629-363, [email protected]

BIO: Dr. James P. Cuda is a Professor and Fulbright Scholar in the Department of Entomology and Nematology

at the University of Florida. His research focuses on the discovery, identification and development of host-

specific arthropods for biological control of invasive weeds infesting Florida’s agricultural lands, natural areas

and aquatic systems. Dr. Cuda also teaches an upper level undergraduate/graduate level course on invasive

species and is an affiliate faculty member for the Center of Aquatic and Invasive Plants.

ABSTRACT: Cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica (L.) P. Beauv.; Poaceae) is a federal listed noxious weed that

occurs in Florida and other southeastern states. This invasive grass infests cattle pastures, golf courses, lawns, and

also thrives in poor soil conditions such as ditch banks, road side and railroad rights-of-way as well as reclaimed

phosphate mining areas. Control of cogongrass relies primarily on mowing and the application of chemical

herbicides. For example, in 2009 the state of Alabama dedicated $6.3 million of federal stimulus funds

exclusively for chemical control of this invasive weed. Biological control using natural enemies from the native

range of cogongrass has received little attention and no biological control agents have been introduced anywhere

in the world. A review of the literature on natural enemies of cogongrass identified several insect herbivores from

the native range. One of these is an Indonesian gall midge Orseolia javanica Kieffer and van Leeuwen-

Reijinvaan (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae). From 2015 to 2016, surveys were conducted at several locations in Central

and West Java, Indonesia where O. javanica galls were discovered. Midge galls were abundant along levees

separating rice paddies in the Cianjur District. Larval feeding induces the formation of linear galls in which one

larva develops. Published results of limited host range testing with cultivated and wild rice, corn, sorghum and

two other non-cultivated grasses showed midges survived only in cogongrass. The introduction of O. javanica and

other host-specific natural enemies into Florida can selectively stress/ weaken cogongrass, and make it less

competitive. Biological control also can be integrated with other control methods to provide a sustainable IPM

solution to the cogongrass problem.

OBSERVATIONS OF THE KALANCHOE SPECIES FOUND ALONG FLORIDA’S EAST

COAST

Gregory Jubinsky, Invasive Plant Field Scientist. Florida Natural Areas Inventory, Tallahassee, Florida,

850-766-5235, [email protected]

BIO: Greg joined Florida Natural Areas Inventory in 2014 after 37 years with the State of Florida, focusing on

aquatic and upland invasive plants with the Department of Environmental Protection and the Fish and Wildlife

Conservation Commission. His work took him throughout the United States, the Caribbean, Canada, and

Australia. While having served as the chair for the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council from 1997-1999, he has also

been presented with the Florida Native Plant Society’s Green Palmetto award for service towards the preservation

of natural areas in the state, and was also the recipient of the 2010 U.S. Department of Interior’s Cooperative

Conservation Award for the management of Florida’s Upland Invasive Plant Management Program and the

development of Florida’s first statewide natural resource public-private partnership program, the Florida Invasive

Species Partnership (FISP). He earned a B.S. in Limnology from the University of Central Florida with emphasis

on botany and landscape ecology.






ABSTRACT: Several species of the tropical succulent Kalanchoe have been introduced into Florida from its

native Madagascar for its prized ornamental qualities. The species are typically short-lived succulents that are

becoming invasive and are demonstrating population expansions primarily in dry and arid environments. The

species, also known as “mother of millions”, are autogamous, produce a high number of seeds (more than 16,000

seeds per fruit), reproduces vegetatively (plantlets), have the capability of forming large seed banks, yielding

relatively dense thickets. While this species is currently listed as invasive in Puerto Rico, Cuba, Venezuela, Spain,

Australia, Hawaii and New Caledonia, its current list status in Florida ranks it as Category II. Extracts from K.

daigremontiana shoots have been shown to induce allelopathic responses. The Kalanchoe complex has been

shown to be toxic to domestic animals and wildlife. It also has the potential to alter soil properties, and inhibit the

recruitment of native vegetation. In both Florida and Australia, K. daigremontiana has hybridized with the

species Kalanchoe delagoensis and the resulting hybrid is becoming widespread and considered a pest.

DEVELOPMENT OF TAXONOMIC TOOLS FOR THE SEPARATION OF LUDWIGIA

HEXAPETALA AND LUDWIGIA GRANDIFLORA IN FLORIDA

Colette C. Jacono1, Afsari Banu

2 and Stephen F. Enloe

3

1Colette C. Jacono, Ph.D., Courtesy Research Scientist, Herbarium, Florida Museum, Gainesville, FL,

352-318-2931, [email protected]; 2Graduate Student, [email protected],

3Associate Professor, Center for

Aquatic and Invasive Plants, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 352-339-1319; [email protected]

BIO: Dr. Jacono received a Ph.D. from the University of Florida with a dissertation on the seedbank and

regeneration ecology of Scleria lacustris. She has 22 years’ experience with aquatic, invasive plants on national

and regional levels, has taught an undergraduate course on Florida invasive species, and for the past 11 years has

been an active contributor to the FLEPPC Plant Listing Committee. She works through an appointment with the

Florida Museum and the UF Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants. Her core research interests focus on practical

problems in the taxonomy and ecology of species in our unique aquatic ecosystems.

ABSTRACT: Results of chromosomal and morphological studies on five geographically representative

accessions of primrosewillow support the recognition of L. hexapetala and L. grandiflora as separate and distinct

species in Florida. A robust discriminant analysis of eight flower and several leaf characters from hundreds of

field and common garden samples consistently demonstrated a wide and significant separation between L.

hexapetala and L. grandiflora. Discriminate methods identified the morphological characters driving the

differences between the species, most of which have direct use in the identification of field samples. Significant

distinction was also found between three different morphological entities within L. grandiflora. These stable

morpho-types are observed to display different ecologies. Molecular tools are well into development as isolation

procedures have been customized for the extraction of high quality nuclear DNA. Illumina sequencing products

from L. hexapetala and L. grandiflora are providing the basis for identifying microsatellites. The microsatellite

tools will be discussed in relation to their ability to separate species, identify sterile material, and infer

relationships especially among our assemblage of 50 living accessions which encompass the distribution of

invasive primrosewillow in Florida and the southeastern U.S.

DECONTAMINATION: AN INVASIVE WEED EDRR TOOL TOO OFTEN OVERLOOKED

Gregory Jubinsky, Invasive Plant Field Scientist, Florida Natural Areas Inventory, 1018 Thomasville Road,

Suite 200C, Tallahassee, Florida, 850-766-5235, [email protected]

BIO: Greg joined Florida Natural Areas Inventory in 2014 after 37 years with the State of Florida, focusing on

aquatic and upland invasive plants with the Department of Environmental Protection and the Fish and Wildlife






Conservation Commission. His work took him throughout the United States, the Caribbean, Canada, and

Australia. While having served as the chair for the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council from 1997-1999, he has also

been presented with the Florida Native Plant Society’s Green Palmetto award for service towards the preservation

of natural areas in the state, and was also the recipient of the 2010 U.S. Department of Interior’s Cooperative

Conservation Award for the management of Florida’s Upland Invasive Plant Management Program and the

development of Florida’s first statewide natural resource public-private partnership program, the Florida Invasive

Species Partnership (FISP). He earned a B.S. in Limnology from the University of Central Florida with emphasis

on botany and landscape ecology.

ABSTRACT: Many invasive plant contracts on public conservation lands in Florida contain language that

address the role of the land manager’s responsibility to assure that contractor’s equipment and personnel are

“sanitized” prior to entering the project area. While some contracts suggest that the contractor submit a plan to the

site manager for approval, this is rarely done. Unfortunately, decontamination protocols and their subsequent

implementation are often not given the much-deserved attention needed. Information will be presented that

addresses a suite of common-sense considerations that should be evaluated for an effective program.


ABSTRACTS – POSTER PRESENTATIONS

(in alphabetical order)

EFFECTIVE APPLICATION OF STERILE CULTIVAR DEVELOPMENT TO LIMIT

INVASIVE ORNAMENTAL PLANT IMPACT: PRODUCER-DRIVEN RESEARCH IN THE

SOUTHEASTERN US (STUDENT POSTER)

Allison L. Bechtloff 1, Carrie Reinhardt Adams

2, Sandra B. Wilson

3, and Zhanao Deng

4

1 Environmental Horticulture Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL; 386-405-3377;

[email protected]; 2 Restoration and Plant Ecology Lab – Environmental Horticulture Department, University of

Florida, Gainesville, FL; 352-273-4502 [email protected]; 3 Environmental Horticulture Department, University

of Florida, Gainesville, FL; 352-273-4576 [email protected]; 4 Environmental Horticulture Department,

University of Florida Gulf Coast Research & Education Center, Wimauma, FL; [email protected]

BIO: Allison Bechtloff is a Master’s student in the Environmental Horticulture Department at the University of

Florida. Her undergraduate research focused on exotic and native plant relationships in salt marshes and she

currently works for the Restoration and Plant Ecology lab. Allison is minoring in Agricultural Education and

Communication and plans to join the extension service after graduation. She is the Treasurer of the Environmental

Horticulture Graduate Student Association and volunteers with the Florida Association of Native Nurseries.

Allison hopes to use her research and education to help communities and growers implement best management

practices to sustain natural ecosystems.

ABSTRACT: While many introduced ornamental plants do not escape cultivation, some plants become

exceptionally adaptable, regenerate prolifically, and eventually invade natural areas. Invasive plant species cost

taxpayers millions annually in management ($100M in Florida alone) and negatively impact the ecosystem

services on which we rely. Consumers are often uninformed of the potential invasive risk some ornamentals have,

despite federal and state listing efforts (e.g. FDACS & FLEPPC), and threat evaluation programs (e.g. IFAS

assessment). A survey of the ornamental nursery industry in the southeastern United States was conducted to

identify nursery sales of five popular ornamentals including Coral ardisia (Ardisia crenata), Chinese privet

(Ligustrum sinense) Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica), Heavenly bamboo (Nandina domestica) and

Mexican petunia (Ruellia simplex). Businesses ranged all sizes and annual sales, but respondents were mostly

from Florida at 67% (2nd

in the nation in number of invasive plant species present). Respondents expressed a

positive opinion of sterile cultivar research (74%), a need for sterile cultivar research of these species, and a

willingness to sell sterile cultivars once created. Seventy-one percent of the producers were selling Heavenly

Bamboo (Nandina domestica) with 40% later responding that this was the most important plant to analyze for

sterility. Chinese Privet (Ligustrum sinsense) emerged as the second most important species to address, as 30% of

respondents listed Chinese privet as their top choice for sterile cultivar development. In response to consumer

demand and the need for safe alternatives, young seedlings of Chinese privet have been induced to form

tetraploids that are currently being screened for sterility, branching habit, and rootability. Given the importance of

these study species to nursery sales, producer interest in selling sterile ornamentals, and the feasibility of

developing sterile cultivars demonstrated here, this work represents a novel effort to limit invasive species prior to

their negative economic and ecosystem impacts.






IMPACT OF FERTILIZER AND THRIPS FEEDING ON SCHINUS TEREBINTHIFOLIA:

DEVELOPING METHODS FOR MASS REARING THE BIOLOGICAL CONTROL AGENT

PSEUDOPHILOTHRIPS ICHINI AND ASSESSING AGENT EFFECT ON SEEDLING

BIOMASS

Evan Broggi,* Emily Jones,* and Gregory S. Wheeler

USDA/ARS Invasive Plant Research Laboratory, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, 954-475-6540, [email protected];

[email protected]; [email protected]

*Authors contributed equally to poster

BIO: Evan Broggi got involved in invasive plant research at the IPRL in Gainesville where he worked under

Susan Wright performing host range testing with Gadirtha fusca. Graduating from the University of Florida with

a degree in biochemistry he now conducts life history and host range testing on new potential biological control

agents for Schinus terebinthifolia under Greg Wheeler at the IPRL in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

BIO: Emily Jones is a Biological Science Technician at the USDA-ARS Invasive Plant Research Lab in Fort

Lauderdale, Florida, where she conducts life history studies and host range testing on potential biological control

agents for Brazilian peppertree and Chinese Tallow under Dr. Greg Wheeler. Prior to working as a technician, she

served for a year as an SCA/AmeriCorps intern at the IPRL. She has a B.A. in Sociology-Anthropology from

Lewis & Clark College, and she hopes to enter a graduate program in ecology.

BIO: Greg Wheeler is a Research Entomologist with the USDA-ARS Invasive Plant Research Lab in Fort

Lauderdale, FL. Dr Wheeler has been working in classical biological control of Brazilian peppertree, Chinese

tallowtree and several other invasive weeds for more than 20 years in South Florida.

ABSTRACT: Brazilian peppertree, Schinus terebinthifolia Raddi (Anacardiaceae), is an invasive weed impacting

natural and agricultural areas of Florida, Hawaii, California, and Texas (USA). The thrips Pseudophilothrips

ichini (Hood) was recently recommended for release by USDA/APHIS/Technical Advisory Group for biological

control of this invasive weed. In order to develop an efficient mass rearing program for this beneficial species, we

assessed plant growth and demography at various fertilizer levels and the impact of 20 adult thrips and their

offspring on the biomass of seedlings grown at these levels. The results of this study will also help estimate the

damage caused by thrips feeding in the field. Twenty-four Brazilian peppertree seedlings were fertilized at one of

three concentrations: 0 (water only), medium (half the label recommended strength), and high (the label

recommended strength). Five plants at each concentration were infested with 20 adult thrips. Adults were

removed when 2nd instar larvae appeared, and after development, the new generation of adults was removed and

counted. Plants grown at the medium fertilizer level produced the greatest number of adult F1 thrips (low: 8.2;

medium: 216.8; high: 75.4 thrips/plant). Plant demographics were measured prior to infestation and following

removal of all F1 thrips. Fertilizer level and thrips feeding had significant effects on most demographics,

including stem height and number of branches, leaflets, leaves, and living tips. While both fertilizer and feeding

also had significant effects on root and branch biomass, only fertilizer had an effect on stem, leaves, and total

biomass. These results indicate that the medium fertilizer level is optimal for thrips production, and that thrips

feeding reduces most plant demographics observed on plants grown at all concentrations. However, further study

is needed to assess the effect of multiple generations of thrips on these parameters and to determine the potential

of multiple generations to decrease the total biomass of seedlings.


EXOTIC PLANTS ACROSS THE GLOBE: INVESTIGATING CHANGES IN COMPOSITION

OF THE EXOTIC PLANT COMMUNITY ENTERING THE PORT OF SAVANNAH

(STUDENT POSTER)

Jarron Gravesande1,3

, Chelsea Cunard1,3

, Kevin Burgess2, Travis Marsico

1, Jennifer Reed

1, Lauren Whitehurst

2,

and Rima Lucardi3

1Arkansas State University, Dept. of Biological Sciences, and Arkansas State University Herbarium (STAR),

State University, AR. [email protected], [email protected], [email protected],

[email protected]; 2Columbus State University, Dept. of Biology, Columbus, GA;

[email protected], [email protected]; 3USDA Forest Service, Southern

Research Station, 320 Green Street, Athens, GA; [email protected]

BIO: Jarron Gravesande is an undergraduate research associate employed by the Department of Biological

Sciences at Arkansas State University and conducts his duties in cooperation with and at the USDA Forest

Service, Southern Research Station laboratory in Athens, GA. He is currently a student at the University of

Georgia pursuing a B.S. in Biological Sciences with a minor in Spanish. His main topics of interest include

research microbiology, forest ecology, mycology, and the study of Romance languages and culture.

ABSTRACT: The United States sits at the pinnacle of global trade and US import volumes continue to

accelerate. The introduction of invasive species into the nation remains a constant threat. The ecosystems of the

US have suffered from the introduction of exotic organisms. A myriad of invasive plant species has diminished

the diversity and abundance of native plant and wildlife species through resource competition and lack of natural

enemies. Due to the absence of population control factors and the wide variety of invasive species coming into the

United States, the costs of the maintenance of native ecosystems and the control of invasive plant species’

populations are substantial high. Considering 90% of global trade is sea trade and the Port of Savannah is the 4th

busiest port in the nation, we conducted research to determine the quantity and frequency of seeds cryptically

entering the US through Savannah. We collected ample and representative sample size of seeds from refrigerated

shipping containers. During a two-year period, seeds were collected biweekly from the exterior of containers

during the seasonal flux of our target commodity. These seeds were later analyzed, counted and sorted into

different morphological-type classes. Statistical analyses were performed to explore patterns in seed

morphological diversity and composition throughout the two-year period to show significant patterns. In year one,

seed community composition was significantly associated with the month of sampling, suggesting that the type of

exotic seeds entering the Port of Savannah changed during the season, potentially due to species specific

phenology of plants in the southern hemisphere. There are current regulatory systems in place to intercept a very

small proportion of invasive plant species that enter the United States through seaports. Developing a research-

based understanding of seasonal patterns in exotic plant species entering the US can be useful in providing data to

regulatory agencies to consider policy modifications based on our findings. These results could be used to more

efficiently manage and increase interceptions of invasive plant species entering the country.

THE CONTRIBUTION OF PLOIDY LEVEL IN THE GENETIC DIVERSITY OF

SOUTHEASTERN COGONGRASS (IMPERATA CYLINDRICA) POPULATIONS

(STUDENT POSTER)

Adina Y. Grossman1, Greg E. MacDonald

1, Candice M. Prince

2, Rima Lucardi

3

1Agronomy Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL; 305-766-2663; [email protected],

[email protected]; 2Environmental Horticulture Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL;

[email protected]; 3Southern Research Station, USDA Forest Service, Athens, GA; [email protected]













BIO: Adina Grossman is a second year student at the University of Florida. She is pursuing her Bachelors of

Science in Plant Science, and specializing in Plant Genetics. She has conducted research with the MacDonald lab

in the Department of Agronomy since 2016. Her field of interest is the breeding of agronomic crops to develop

sustainable and affordable produce for the world’s growing population.

ABSTRACT: Cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica) is a fast-growing perennial weed in tropical and subtropical

climates. It is able to tolerate drought, fire, and poor soils. Cogongrass is a prolific seed producer, and also grows

vegetatively from a vast rhizome system. Monitoring and management for cogongrass is a challenge in the

southeastern United States, where the species has become one of the top invaders in pine forests and rangeland

systems. There’s a high degree of variability in the Imperata genus worldwide, although little is known about the

genetic variability of cogongrass in the United States. Understanding the genetic diversity of cogongrass in this

region will help determine how the species genetic composition is influencing its ability to adapt to environmental

change. The goal of this research is to characterize cogongrass diversity in the southeastern United States in terms

of chromosome number and ploidy level. To this end, cogongrass rhizomes were collected from different

populations throughout the southeast and grown in a common garden environment in Gainesville. Cytological

staining techniques were utilized to visually count the chromosome number, and flow cytometry was used to

determine the ploidy levels of individuals from each population. By providing information on the chromosome

number and ploidy levels of cogongrass in the southeast, this research will help support current efforts to

understand the genetic diversity of cogongrass in the broader United States as well as worldwide.

THE ROLE OF DEFOLIATING GEOMETRIDAE CATERPILLARS AS POTENTIAL

BIOLOGICAL CONTROL AGENTS OF SCHINUS TEREBINTHIFOLIA

Emily Jones,*1 Evan Broggi,*

1 and Gregory S. Wheeler

1

1 USDA/ARS Invasive Plant Research Laboratory, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, (954) 475-6540,

[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]

*Authors contributed equally to poster

BIO: Emily Jones is a Biological Science Technician at the USDA-ARS Invasive Plant Research Lab in Fort

Lauderdale, Florida, where she conducts life history studies and host range testing on potential biological control

agents for Brazilian peppertree and Chinese tallow under Dr. Greg Wheeler. Prior to working as a technician, she

served for a year as an SCA/AmeriCorps intern at the IPRL. She has a B.A. in Sociology-Anthropology from

Lewis & Clark College, and she hopes to enter a graduate program in ecology.

BIO: Evan Broggi got involved in invasive plant research at the IPRL in Gainesville where he worked under

Susan Wright performing host range testing with Gadirtha fusca. Graduating from the University of Florida with

a degree in biochemistry he now conducts life history and host range testing on new potential biological control

agents for Schinus terebinthifolia under Greg Wheeler at the IPRL in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

BIO: Greg Wheeler is a Research Entomologist with the USDA-ARS Invasive Plant Research Lab in Fort

Lauderdale, FL. Dr Wheeler has been working in classical biological control of Brazilian peppertree, Chinese

tallowtree and several other invasive weeds for more than 20 years in South Florida.

ABSTRACT: Schinus terebinthifolia Raddi (Anacardiaceae) is a fast-growing invasive species that decreases the

biodiversity of native plants in its invasive range. Because mechanical and chemical means of control prove to be

costly and time consuming, classical biological control is being considered as an ecologically sound and cost-

effective supplement to these methods. In Schinus' native range, the weed is estimated to be consumed by more

than 150 phytophagous species. Of the many insect families observed feeding on Schinus, numerous species of



Geometridae (Lepidoptera) have been recorded. The Geometridae are the second largest family of Lepidoptera,

consisting of approximately 23,000 species. As defoliators, geometrid caterpillars carry potential as biological

control agents of weeds. Worldwide, a total of nine geometrids have been released against 6 species of weeds,

including releases in the United States, Canada, and Australia. Four species have established field populations and

have safely damage their respective target weeds to varying degrees. Surveys of Schinus in its native range have

produced approximately 20 geometrid species. Due to the relatively large size of the larvae and their capacity for

severe defoliation of the weed, several species were investigated as potential biological control agents. Four of

these geometrids, Oospila pallidaria, Oxydia vesulia, Hymenomima nr. memor, and Prochoerodes onustaria,

were successfully colonized in quarantine at the IRPL. In order to test their specificity for Schinus, all species

were subjected to no-choice starvation tests involving native and economically valuable members of the

Anacardiaceae. Unfortunately, all species exhibited broad feeding habits and the ability to develop to adulthood

on many of the plants tested. Therefore, these species will not be released as biological control agents on Schinus

in the United States. Foreign exploration for potential agents of Schinus, including members of the Geometridae,

is ongoing.

DO COGONGRASS ACCESSIONS ACROSS FLORIDA RESPOND DIFFERENTLY TO

HERBICIDE TREATMENT?

Kate LeGros and Stephen F. Enloe

UF/IFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants, Gainesville, FL; (407) 733-5812; [email protected];

[email protected]

BIO: Kate LeGros recently graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Forest Resources and Conservation from the

University of Florida. Kate is interested in the effects of climate change on mixed-conifer forests, fire science and

stand dynamics. She is working in Dr. Enloe’s lab on research projects with upland and aquatic invasive plants

ABSTRACT: Cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica) is an invasive C4 grass from Southeast Asia that is problematic

throughout much of Florida. Cogongrass is difficult to manage and many land managers have reported variable

control of different cogongrass patches, even when the same herbicide treatments were applied. To begin to

address this issue of variable control, cogongrass accessions were collected from twelve locations throughout

Florida, including eight peninsular and four panhandle sites. These accessions were propagated for greenhouse

studies at the University of Florida Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants in Gainesville. Two (10 cm) rhizome

sections were planted in 3.8 liter pots in a 50/50 sand/potting media mixed with a complete slow release fertilizer.

Plants were grown for six weeks until well established. Herbicide treatments including glyphosate,

aminocyclopyrachlor, and tank mixes of glyphosate + aminocyclopyrachlor and glyphosate + flumioxazin were

applied with a CO2 pressurized boom sprayer. Shoots were then clipped at 30 days after treatment and shoot

regrowth and rhizomes were harvested at 60 days after treatment. Results demonstrated significant differences

between accessions for shoot height and biomass in the untreated controls. There was also a strong difference in

height and shoot biomass between panhandle versus peninsula sources of cogongrass. However, cogongrass

source had no effect on the biomass response to herbicide treatment. Additionally, there was no significant

interaction between cogongrass source and herbicide treatment. The tank mix of glyphosate +

aminocyclopyrachlor resulted in an 89% reduction in total biomass and was significantly better than either

herbicide alone. These results do not support the notion of inherent differences in herbicide susceptibility among

cogongrass accessions collected across Florida. However, clear differences do exist in productivity. Additional

research examining environmental factors affecting cogongrass accession productivity and possible response to

herbicide treatment could help to clarify the issue of variable control.



SCLERIA MICROCARPA – DISCOVERING A NEW INVADER AND THE BEST

MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES TO CONTROL IT

LeRoy Rodgers, Ellen Allen, Alexandra Onisko

South Florida Water Management District, West Palm Beach, FL; [email protected]; [email protected];

[email protected]

BIO: Alex Onisko is an Invasive Species Biologist with the South Florida Water Management District. Alex

graduated from the University of Central Florida in 2010 and has been working in the areas of resource

management, restoration, and invasive species control in natural areas in Florida since graduation.

ABSTRACT: Scleria microcarpa (Tropical Nutrush) is a newly identified and vouchered species found in Polk

and Osceola counties. S. microcarpa is a sedge in the Cyperaceae family and is native to Puerto Rico, Cuba,

Southern Mexico, Brazil, and several additional countries in Central and South America. Land managers began

noticing this species in 2015 on Lake Hatchineha. Specimens of this, then unknown plant were collected,

identified, verified, and vouchered. More undocumented populations have been located at multiple other lakes

near the original infestation. This plant species has been discovered in the littoral zones of the lakes growing in

both soggy soil and in standing water in canopied areas creating dense monocultures under cypress and maple

trees. There has been an interagency effort to inform land managers and biologist about this new invader. Future

survey efforts by the South Florida Water Management District, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation

Commission, and help from local CISMAs are planned in order to determine the extent and habitat of this species.

Unlike Scleria lacustris, another invasive Scleria species known to many land managers in Florida, S. microcarpa

is a perennial and not an annual, resulting in different approaches to the management of this species. Initial

herbicide trials conducted in order to control this species did damage to the plants but were unsuccessful in

completely controlling it. Water levels at the original herbicide trial sites were high and might have hindered the

efficacy of the herbicides. Additional trials implementing various active chemicals and modes of action have been

applied independently of each other as well as in combination with each other. The objective of these trials is to

determine the most efficient and effective method to control this new invader. Results from these trials should

give land managers insight and guidance when managing Scleria microcarpa.





Author Index

Oral presentations:

Bargeron, Chuck ........................................................................................................................................................................... 14

Byerly, Emma .................................................................................................................................................................................. 8

Cipollini, Don ................................................................................................................................................................................... 7

Cuda, James ................................................................................................................................................................................... 18

Cunard, Chelsea ........................................................................................................................................................................... 15

Enloe, Stephen.................................................................................................................................................................................. 7

Estrada, James ............................................................................................................................................................................... 17

Fahey, Cathy ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 9

Fishel, Fred ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 16

Giardina, Dennis .......................................................................................................................................................................... 12

Jacono, Colette ............................................................................................................................................................................... 19

Jubinsky, Greg ........................................................................................................................................................................18, 19

Kunzer, John .................................................................................................................................................................................. 11

Lastinger, Cody ............................................................................................................................................................................. 10

Lieurance, Deah ........................................................................................................................................................................... 14

MacDonald, Greg ......................................................................................................................................................................... 11

Millett, Cheryl ............................................................................................................................................................................... 13

Pernas, Antonio ........................................................................................................................................................................... 12

Prince, Candice ....................................................................................................................................................................... 9, 16

Revuelta, Eric ................................................................................................................................................................................ 12 1

Poster presentations:

Bechtloff, Allison ........................................................................................................................................................................ 21

Broggi, Evan ................................................................................................................................................................................. 22

Gravesande, Jarron ..................................................................................................................................................................... 23

Grossman, Adina ......................................................................................................................................................................... 23

Jones, Emily ................................................................................................................................................................................... 24

LeGros, Kate .................................................................................................................................................................................. 25

Onisko, Alexandra ....................................................................................................................................................................... 26


Thank you to our sponsors!

Aquatic Plant Management, Inc. (Al Suarez)

AVC – Aquatic Vegetation Control, Inc. (Jim Burney & Todd Olson)

Bayer Environmental Science (Dan Mixson)

Flatwood Natives – Habitat Solutions Co. (Danielle Alston)

Environmental Quality, Inc. (EQI) (Katherine Murray)

Alligare LLC (Norma Cassinari-Swann)

NRPS – Natural Resource Planning Services (Eric Hoyer)

WinField United (Dharmen Setaram)

SePro (Kelli Gladding)

Kestrel Ecological Services (Michael Meisenburg & Erick Smith)

Brewer International (Steve Brewer & Nancy Healy)

april 12-14, 2017 crowne plaza oceanfront melbourne, florida · 2017. 4. 11. · officers ....

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