Invasive Plant Removal at Gulf Islands National Seashore
Implementing Organization
US Department of the Interior
Overview
DWH Project Funding
$875,765
Known Leveraged Funding
$0
Funding Organization
Natural Resource Damage Assessment Trustees (NRDA)
Funding Program
Natural Resource Damage Assessment NRDA
Details
Project Category
Environmental
Project Actions
Habitat Restoration and Enhancement
Targeted Resources
Other
Project Description
This project will treat five of the most problematic invasive plant species in the Fort Pickens, Santa Rosa, and Perdido Key areas of Gulf Islands National Seashore (GUIS) more comprehensively and aggressively than they are currently treated. The project will help to gradually restore coastal habitats and native plant species in these areas, which will likely allow native animal populations that depend on these coastal habitats and plants to also improve. The project will last for five years. Activities include: 1) locate and map cogon grass (Imperata cylindrica), torpedo grass (Panicum repens), Chinese tallow (Sapium sebiferum), Cuban bulrush (Oxycaryum cubense), and beach vitex (Vitex rotundifolia); 2) evaluate past and current treatment methods, research new treatment methods, and develop a Treatment Action Plan (TAP); 3) treat these species in accordance with the TAP for five years and reduce their populations to sizes that can be more easily managed in the future; both chemical and mechanical treatment methods will be used, as appropriate; 4) monitor treatment success regularly to determine the treatment plan for the following year; 5) prepare a project completion report that describes the work done, but also includes recommendations for future treatments; and 6) use information gathered and knowledge gained to provide the basis for an Exotic Plant Management Plan for GUIS, should the park wish to prepare one.
Contact
Mark Van Mouwerik(970) 420-4734
mark_vanmouwerik@nps.gov
Project Website
None
For official trustee information regarding the Deepwater Horizon NRDA, including information regarding the NRDA process and the status of projects, see https://www.gulfspillrestoration.noaa.gov/