Illinois Invasive Species Symposium
Champaign, IL May 28th, 2015
KEYNOTE - Case Studies of Plant Invasions (and their prevention!) from a Public Garden - Kurt Dreisilker, The Morton Arboretum
Abstract: The Morton Arboretum provides a unique perspective on invasive plant species. Learn how this public garden controls invasive woody species by using several unique resources, such as: almost 100 years of history, 1700 acres of living collections surrounded by natural areas, a herbarium, and numerous naturalists employed over time who recorded information about the regional flora. This presentation will share examples and insights into how The Morton Arboretum deals with plant invasions and evaluates the plant collections for invasive species.
Bio: Kurt Dreisilker is the Head of Natural Resources for The Morton Arboretum. Since 2004 he has been planning and implementing ecological restoration throughout the Arboretum's 900 acres of natural areas. But he does this in a unique place, a public garden, which gives him a unique perspective on dealing with invasive plant species. Kurt is a board member of Midwest Invasive Plant Network and was a founding steering committee member of Northeast Illinois Invasive Plant Partnership. He has a B.S. and M.S. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where he studied plant biology and natural resources management.
Overview of SITC activities in Illinois - USDA APHIS
Integrating prescribed fire and invasive species control - Karla Gage, River to River CWMA and Jesse Riechman, SIPBA
Abstract: Without restoration efforts, the Oak-Hickory forests in southwestern Illinois are predicted to convert to Maple-Beech, which will cause further changes in the plant and animal communities surviving there. Additionally, the changes are compounded by the increased occurrence of invasive plants. In July 2014, the Shawnee Resource Conservation and Development Area, Inc. (RC&D) was awarded a grant from the USDA Forest Service State and Private Forestry program to begin forest restoration through prescribed fire and invasive species control. The Southeastern Illinois Prescribed Burn Association (SIPBA) and the River to River Cooperative Weed Management Area (CWMA) have expanded the SIPBA boundaries to the southwestern counties, effectively doubling the size of the association, while incorporating the CWMA's expertise and workforce in invasive species control. This offers the private landowner more comprehensive and accessible forest management. Additional program partners are the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the University of Illinois Extension. Assistance in prescribed burning and invasive plant control is being focused on landowners and volunteers, and the Forest Restoration Support Team (FRST) has been created to educate and train landowners in management on their own land with the help of volunteers to establish long-term results.
Bio: At the end of 2012, Dr. Gage joined Shawnee Resource Conservation & Development Area, Inc. as the River to River Cooperative Weed Management Area (CWMA) Coordinator. She graduated in May 2013 with a Ph.D. in plant biology, focused in weed ecology, from the Department of Plant Biology at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. She is a member of the Illinois Invasive Plant Species Council, serves on the board of the Southern Chapter of the Illinois Native Plant Society, and is involved in many other organizations. Dr. Gage specializes in invasive species control and forest restoration, and as CWMA coordinator, she works with 13 federal and state agencies, nonprofits, and universities, as well as private landowners, to control invasive species within the 11 southernmost counties of Illinois. Jesse Riechman earned a bachelor's degree in journalism from Miami University before returning to the Carbondale area for a master's in Forestry from Southern Illinois University. Jesse became the coordinator for the Southern Illinois Prescribed Burn Association (SIPBA) in 2012, where as an Illinois certified prescribed burn manager he oversees SIPBA burns in the 11 southernmost counties of Illinois. Riechman has served as the State Chair of the Society of American Foresters and as board member for the Friends of Touch of Nature and Friends of the Cache River. He is currently the Battalion Chief for the Makanda Township Fire Department.
Breeding Sterile Landscape Plants - Joe Rothluetner, The Morton Arboretum
Bio: Joe Rothleutner is the Tree and Shrub Breeder at The Morton Arboretum and a representative of Chicagoland Grows©, a regionally-based plant introduction and marketing partnership. He leads the new plant development program at the Arboretum, which focuses on selecting new cultivars of trees and shrubs for use in the upper Midwest and beyond. Joe received his BS of Plant Science in Urban Forestry from the University of Maryland, College Park and his MS of Horticulture in Plant Breeding, Genetics, and Biotechnology from Oregon State University.
The Effects of Tilling and Herbicide on Phalaris arundinacea - Patrick Chess, Forest Preserve District of Kane County
Abstract: Reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea) is an exotic and invasive species that has been proven difficult to control. Reed canary grass succeeds as a competitor due to several factors including apical dominance in the rhizomes allowing for clonal reproduction. To combat this ability, the ground can be tilled to break up the root structure. This causes the lateral buds to sprout causing them to be vulnerable to a more traditional foliar herbicide application. An experiment was designed to test this theory and determine if tilling is an effective control measure for upland populations of reed canary grass in conjunction with applications of glyphosate or sethoxydim. After two years, results show that tilling the soil results in a lower cover of reed canary grass (39-66%). Additionally, the combination of tilling with two annual treatments of sethoxydim resulted in three of five plots having no reed canary grass cover and an average of only eight percent. Species richness was also higher in disced plots than non-disced plots (5.7-3.0) and sethoxydim treated plots than glyphosate treated plots (5.9-4.7). These results suggest that discing and applying multiple treatments of sethoxydim per year could be an effective combination for the control of reed canary grass as well as promoting species richness out of the existing seed bank.
Bio: Patrick Chess has been a restoration technician with the Forest Preserve District of Kane County for the past three years. Prior to that he graduated with a BA in Biology from Illinois Wesleyan University and received a Masters in Natural Resources with a concentration in Ecological Restoration from North Carolina State University.
An Update on Early Detection/Rapid Response for Hydrilla verticillata in Illinois - Bob Kirschner, Chicago Botanic Garden
Abstract: Hydrilla verticillata is considered one of the world's worst aquatic weeds. Its native range is in Asia, but in the early 1960s it was introduced to the southern United States via the aquarium trade. The monoecious biotype of hydrilla has been found nearby in Wisconsin, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, and the Ohio River—and so its arrival in Illinois is considered imminent. In 2012, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Chicago Botanic Garden, Lake County Health Department and Northeast Illinois Invasive Plant Partnership collaborated to create the Illinois Hydrilla Task Force. In July 2014, this partnership released the "Early Detection/Rapid Response (EDRR) Plan for Hydrilla verticillata in Illinois." The plan elicits public engagement to detect hydrilla as early as possible via the Hydrilla Hunt! initiative, and it also establishes a rapid response team to develop and implement eradication protocols for populations discovered in Illinois. This presentation will review aggressive efforts in other northern tier states (particularly New York) to control hydrilla infestations. Importantly, it will also solicit input from Symposium attendees regarding novel approaches to engage public interest and involvement in monitoring an invasive plant "that's not here yet."
Bio: Bob Kirschner is the Chicago Botanic Garden's Curator of Aquatic Plant & Urban Lake Studies. He also serves as its Director of Restoration Ecology, overseeing the Garden's four natural areas that encompass more than half of the Garden's 385 acres including woodland, prairie, river, and lake habitats. He received degrees in aquatic biology and ecology from the University of Illinois. For 21 years he worked at the Northeastern Illinois Planning Commission on water resource public policy and scientific studies of urban lakes. In 1999, Bob joined the Chicago Botanic Garden staff—seeing this public venue with over one million visitors each year as an ideal opportunity to engage public curiosity about environmentally sensitive landscape designs.
Challenges of controlling EWM-hybrid in Bang's Lake, Wauconda, Illinois. A case study - Keith Gray, Integrated Lakes Management, Inc.
Abstract: New influences can have a dramatic effect on ancient eco-systems. Bang's Lake in Wauconda, IL. a glacial lake that is home to 5 threatened and endangered species has experienced significant changes as a result of zebra mussels. Management challenges ahead include hybridization of invasive species, complicated ownership issues, funding, and permitting requirements for appropriate management response.
Bio: Keith Gray, President of Integrated Lakes Management based in Lake County, Illinois. He's currently on several boards and committees having to do with the natural environment, one notably having to do with ways to help streamline the permitting process for necessary restoration and management activities for lakes, ponds, and wetlands. Keith was awarded the Illinois Lake Management Association's 'Lake Guardian' award this spring
IDNR Aquatic Nuisance Species and Aquaculture Program Update - Blake Ruebush, Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Abstract: The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) Aquatic Nuisance Species and Aquaculture Program goals are to protect natural resources by implementing regulations, educating the public, reducing the risk of new introductions, and mitigating invaders that have already been introduced. Aquaculture, transportation, stocking, importation and/or possession of aquatic life is regulated by the IDNR, and approved aquatic life categories are identified in the Aquatic Life Approved Species List (Updated March 11, 2015). In 2014, 94 Aquaculture Permits were issued, which included facilities in 48 Illinois Counties. In addition to managing aquaculture and fish importation activities, the IDNR monitors and manages aquatic nuisance species including, but not limited to, the New Zealand Mudsnail, Eurasian Water Milfoil, Eurasian Ruffe, and Asian carp species. Field exercises were completed in 2014 to monitor for aquatic nuisance species in Illinois and through multi-jurisdictional partnerships outside of Illinois. IDNR Asian carp surveillance and management in the Chicago Area Waterway System and Illinois Water Way is coordinated through the Monitoring and Response Work Group, consisting of multiple State and Federal Agencies. The overall leading edge of the adult Asian carp invasion has not changed since 2006 (Dresden Island Pool, Illinois River), and contracted commercial fishing efforts have removed more that 3.2 million pounds of Asian carp to-date. Through regulations, educational outreach, and enforcement the IDNR manages activities pertaining to aquatic life and aquatic nuisance species in Illinois.
Bio: Blake Ruebush is the Aquaculture Project Leader in the Aquatic Nuisance Species and Aquaculture Program with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Blake has worked in this role for the past two years and previously worked on the IDNR Asian carp team in Yorkville, IL. Blake started his career as a Large River Fisheries Ecologist at the Illinois Natural History Survey's Illinois River Biological Station in Havana, IL. Blake has Bachelors and Masters Degrees from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Crazy Worms - A new invader threatening Illinois - Chris Evans, IWAP Invasive Species Campaign
Abstract: Illinois has thirty-eight species of earthworm documented in the state, twenty of which are considered non-native. Negative impacts from exotic earthworm invasions have been mostly in the recently glaciated regions of the United States, such as the northwoods of the upper Midwest. These regions do not have a native suite of earthworms and impacts from European earthworms were often drastic. Crazy worms, Amynthas agrestis and closely-related congeners, are found at extremely high densities and occupy only the top layer of the soil. Because of these traits, the potential impacts from Amynthas are great, even for regions with a native earthworm community, such as Illinois. Recent discoveries of crazy worms in adjacent states and documented pathways of spread via soil, mulch, and potted plants creates a strong potential for introduction of crazy worms into Illinois, creating a need for early detection of this potential invasive species. Public outreach and directed education of industries and organizations that move plants, plant material, and soil will increase the chances of finding new populations. With eradication of established populations extremely unlikely, spread prevention is the best management option for reducing the negative impacts of this invasive throughout Illinois.
Bio: Chris Evans is the coordinator of the Illinois Wildlife Action Plan's Invasive Species Campaign and is chair of the Illinois Invasive Plant Species Council. He has worked on invasive species issues for over a decade. Despite his love of killing invasive species, Chris actually does enjoy keeping a few things alive, including strawberries and bees on his small farm in southern Illinois
The Changing Epidemiology of Snake Fungal Disease, An Emergent Pathogen in Illinois - Matt Allender, University of Illinois
Abstract: With the current rate of declines in global biodiversity, it is apparent that wildlife diseases are serving as additional threats to population declines and potentially species extinctions. The emerging fungal pathogen, Ophidiomyces ophidiicola, (snake fungal disease; SFD) has been recently reported in wild pit viper populations from at least ten states, including Illinois. Health assessments prior to and after the emergence of this pathogen in a population of massasaugas demonstrate the utility of active clinical surveillance for identifying this pathogen. The disease presents as facial disfiguration due to granulomatous dermatitis, myositis, and osteomyeltits with intralesional fungi. An experimental challenge was performed in the cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorous) to describe the progression of disease, identify antemortem testing strategies, and develop a model for future studies. Concurrently, a real-time PCR was developed that is more sensitive than conventional PCR and allowed detection of subclinical infections in these animals. Furthermore, this assay allowed detection of Ophidiomyces in swab samples, thus providing another means to monitor populations. Natural history of Ophidiomyces demonstrated robust growth on numerous substrates. Growth was maximal at 25C and a slightly alkaline pH. The prevalence of SFD is variable over time and trends in hematological and biochemical data are fairly consistent with results obtained prior to the emergence. However, future efforts should continue to evaluate the epidemiology of this disease and assess the health of Illinois populations in the face of this threat.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We thank the Illinois Department of Natural Resources for partial funding as well as Sarah Baker-Wylie, Dan Wylie, Michael Dreslik, Christopher Phillips, Dan Raudabaugh, Andrew Miller, Scott Ballard, Marta Rzadkowska, Amy Narotsky, Scott Cleary, and Carol Maddox.
Bio: Dr. Allender is a zoo and wildlife veterinarian that graduated from the University of Illinois in 2004 with his DVM. He went on to complete a MS investigating the health and disease of box turtles and massasauga rattlesnakes prior to completing a residency in Zoological Medicince at the University of Tennessee and Knoxville Zoo. He then joined the faculty at the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Illinois and jointly completed a PhD studying the Epidemiology of Ranavirus in Free-ranging chelonians. He currently teaches, performs research, and provides clinical service for free-ranging and captive wildlife.
White-nose Syndrome in Bats: The Invisible Invasion - Ed J Heske and Jean Mengelkoch, Illinois Natural History Survey
Abstract: White-nose syndrome (WNS) was first detected in upstate NY in 2006 as a fuzzy growth on the muzzles of some hibernating bats. The following year, mass mortalities of bats were discovered in 4 nearby caves. Since then, WNS has spread relentlessly and has now been reported from 26 U.S. states and 5 Canadian provinces, affecting at least 7 species of bats. WNS is caused by an invasive, cold-loving fungus that appears to have been introduced from Europe where it is widespread but does not cause mass mortalities of bats. We review the history of WNS in North America, how WNS kills bats, and what the future may hold. WNS has killed an estimated 6 million bats since it was introduced to North America, and may be driving some formerly common species to the brink of extinction. It has been called the worst wildlife epidemic in modern history, yet few people see its impacts directly, making it "the invisible invasion."
Bio: Ed Heske and Jean Mengelkoch are mammal ecologists at the Illinois Natural History Survey, part of the Prairie Research Institute at the University of Illinois. Jean is interested in the ecology and conservation of threatened and endangered mammals, especially bats. Ed is interested in the ecology, natural history, and conservation of a variety of mammals, and has worked on voles and lemmings, desert rodents, raccoons, Franklin's ground squirrels, muskrats, and mink to list just a few. He is part of a team of scientists at INHS and the UI monitoring the invasion of WNS in Illinois and its relationships to other cave and bat microbiota.