Citation:

TALLENT-HALSELL, N. G., H. TURNBULL, L. WALKER, AND J. CABREZAM. BUDDLEJA DAVIDII (BUTTERFLY BUSH): A GROWING THREAT TO RIPARIA? Presented at National Tribal Invasive Species Conference, Sparks, NV, November 07, 2006 - November 09, 2007.

Impact/Purpose:

The primary objectives of this research are to:

Develop methodologies so that landscape indicator values generated from different sensors on different dates (but in the same areas) are comparable; differences in metric values result from landscape changes and not differences in the sensors;

Quantify relationships between landscape metrics generated from wall-to-wall spatial data and (1) specific parameters related to water resource conditions in different environmental settings across the US, including but not limited to nutrients, sediment, and benthic communities, and (2) multi-species habitat suitability;

Develop and validate multivariate models based on quantification studies;

Develop GIS/model assessment protocols and tools to characterize risk of nutrient and sediment TMDL exceedence;

Complete an initial draft (potentially web based) of a national landscape condition assessment.

This research directly supports long-term goals established in ORDs multiyear plans related to GPRA Goal 2 (Water) and GPRA Goal 4 (Healthy Communities and Ecosystems), although funding for this task comes from Goal 4. Relative to the GRPA Goal 2 multiyear plan, this research is intended to "provide tools to assess and diagnose impairment in aquatic systems and the sources of associated stressors." Relative to the Goal 4 Multiyear Plan this research is intended to (1) provide states and tribes with an ability to assess the condition of waterbodies in a scientifically defensible and representative way, while allowing for aggregation and assessment of trends at multiple scales, (2) assist Federal, State and Local managers in diagnosing the probable cause and forecasting future conditions in a scientifically defensible manner to protect and restore ecosystems, and (3) provide Federal, State and Local managers with a scientifically defensible way to assess current and future ecological conditions, and probable causes of impairments, and a way to evaluate alternative future management scenarios.

Description:

Buddleja davidii, an Asian shrub or small tree (family Buddlejaceae; commonly referred to as Butterfly bush) is found in the United States, New Zealand, Australia, and Europe as a popular ornamental and an aggressive invasive that has become widespread in floodplains, riverbeds, railroad embankments and road edges. Buddleja grows rapidly, matures quickly, and is capable of producing millions of wind-dispersed seeds starting in its first year. It can recover from anthropogenic and natural disturbance quickly by producing adventitious shoots and roots on fragments of buried or cut stems. Buddleja establishes as dense thickets that may affect river hydrology as well as access to water. Control mechanisms include removal, cutting, treating with glyphospate herbicides, and or biocontrol using Cleopus japonicus and Microctonus aethropoides (at this time in New Zealand only). Removal efforts are labor and resource intensive. The Jamestown S'Klallam tribe in northwestern Washingon has removed Buddleja viamechanical and herbicide treatment in 2005 and 2006. Small-scale removal by cutting and herbicide has released small areas from Buddleja in the Dungeness River. The Jamestown Tribe's project is funded by a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grant. A better understanding of the factors that promote Buddleja invasions is needed for land managers to address Buddleja control Our research characterizes Buddleja habitat, in particular Buddleja impacts on native species richness, species interactions, soil N and P, and successional trajectories.

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