Recipient Organization
UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE
2621 MORGAN CIR
KNOXVILLE,TN 37996-4540
Performing Department
PLANT SCIENCES
Non Technical Summary
Invasive plant species have become an important issue in the southern region as these species are aggressively competing with certain native plant populations and cultivated crops for moisture, nutrients, and sunlight. Currently, one of the biggest issues regarding proper management of invasive weed species is an accurate and timely identification of the target weed species. Current resource limitations in Cooperative Extension often compound this issue leading to more undetected buildup of invasive weed populations because there are fewer trained personnel to accurately identify these plants and make sound integrated pest management recommendations for effective early eradication. Therefore, the goal of this project is to produce a pocket identification guide to educate and enpower land owners (e.g. growers), land managers, and other decision makers to accurately identify invasive weeds so they are able to distinguish these invasive species from other similar native
species. In addition, this guide will not only aid in the identification of these species but will also provide an integrated weed management approach for controlling these invasive weed species. The idea for a pocket guide for invasive weed identification and management is predicated on the need of land managers to easily access pertinent information in any location at any time. This guide will afford the user accurate information at the otip of their fingerso and will be the type of tool that can easily be carried (e.g. shirt/pant pocket) and accessed even in remote locations (even in areas without cell phone service or easy internet access).
Animal Health Component
100%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
100%
Developmental
(N/A)
Goals / Objectives
The three main objectives of this project are as follows: Objective 1: Develop and organize an invasive species weed ID pocket guide with current information regarding integrated pest management strategies for the control of invasive weed species in diverse plant communities in the Appalachian region. In addition, a section allowing agents or land use managers to capture historical records of invasive species discovery and management strategies will also be included in the pocket guide. Objective 2: Create an educational module to alert county extension agents, weed scientists, and other key stakeholders about the contents of the pocket guides and how to disseminate and educate others on how to use it. Present educational module at a regional weed conference(s) (i.e. Southern Weed Science Society- SWSS; Northeastern Weed Science Society- NEWSS) to get insight from other invasive species specialists before guide is finalized for printing. Objective 3: Make hard copies
of the pocket guide available to primary stakeholders (Extension services for Tennessee and North Carolina, TEPPC, SEEPPC, TDOT, and NCDOT). In addition, provide information to other key individuals in the remaining Appalachian states by distributing a limited number of copies to state invasive weed control specialists and by uploading the guide to the University of Tennessee extension website. Project Timelines Spring 2008: Begin to create content for invasive pocket guide. Also meet with a limited number of key stakeholder groups for their initial input on ID guide. Recruit and enroll hourly student labor to initiate the project. Summer 2008: Start taking photographs of target invasive species and assemble these photos with other photos already collected. Initiate writing descriptive text for the guide and corresponding information module for training workshops. Create dichotomous key for determining appropriate IPM strategies for invasive weed species by performing a thorough
literature search coupled with strategic data review. Fall/Winter2008: Meet with key stake holders (i.e. TDOT, NCDOT, state cooperative extension services, etc.) to review preliminary pocket guide content for its suitability for the target audience. Present findings at regional weed science society meeting for feedback and initiation of dialogue regarding educating the public on rapid identification and initiation of control measures for management of invasive weed species. Use guidance from these venues to adjust guide to make it more beneficial to the end user. Spring 2009: Gather any additional photos and thoroughly review guide before sending off for printing. Summer 2009: Have finalized pocket guides and educational modules distributed to key stakeholders. Meet at small workshops or discuss by conference call specific information about the pocket guide. Distribute copies of the guide to key stakeholders and put a copy of the guide on the University of Tennessee extension
website.
Project Methods
The invasive weed identification guide will be organized into three main sections: 1) identification of specific invasive weeds 2) dichotomous key for IPM control strategies and 3) historical records section. The first section dealing with the identification of specific invasive weeds will be broken out into 5 main sub-sections: 1) vines 2) herbaceous broadleaf plants 3) grasses 4) shrubs 5) hardwood trees. A brief narrative describing the key differences in these main sub-sections and pictures/illustrations that differentiate key morphological characteristics of various plants in each of the sub-sections (i.e. shape of leaves, buds, ligules, bark patterns, etc.) will be included. In addition, pictures depicting key distinguishing characteristics or specific stages of growth (i.e. mature or juvenile plants, flowers, leaf shape, etc.) where rapid identification is crucial for adequate control will be provided for each invasive weed of interest along with a narrative
description of key descriptive characteristics that separate it from other similar native species or other invasive plants. The second section will include a dichotomous key for selecting proper management techniques for control of individual invasive weed species. This section will walk the land use manager through a variety of questions that when completed will lead to the best type(s) of IPM strategies for the specific type of weed they are managing. Questions will be asked about the type of invasive weed (i.e. shrub, tree, herbaceous, etc.), stage of growth, percentage of land infested, type of crops/native species in close proximity, bodies of water or types of estuaries in close proximity, specific land use restrictions, soil type, etc. Based on their answers to the questions it will lead the pocket guide user to a list of appropriate mechanical harvest methods and/or herbicide programs that can be used alone or in conjunction with each other for consistent long-term invasive
weed management. The third and final section will be an historical records section. In this area, the land use manager can record specific information about any population of invasive weeds they discover on their property. They will also be able to list specific locations (i.e. GPS coordinates, addresses, key landmarks, etc.), the amount of land infested (i.e. percent ground cover and the number of acres infested), stage of growth (i.e. at the time of discovery and at time of initiation of IPM strategy), dates (i.e. dates of discovery and initiation of IPM strategy), and specific information about the types of IPM strategies initiated (i.e. removal of tree with chainsaw and cut stump herbicide application), and information about follow-up evaluations.