Background Initiated in 2004 – for update of Lygodium microphyllum Management Plan Basic Idea – find out what land managers are currently doing to control Lygodium microphyllum Wildland Weeds: Spring 2006

Methods Survey design – “Non-scientific” - Based on experience and ideas from the first management plan Surveys (n = 130): EPPC Meeting (n = 75) - (n = 55) Follow up with second Site visits

Response %  - 19 out of 130 Average Size / Natural Area - 44,419 ha - Range: ,700 ha Avg Area OWCF / Natural Area - 1,023 ha - Range: 0.01 – 9,843 ha Surveys + Site Visits Surveys

Natural Areas (covering 885,881 ha) - Everglades National Park - A.R.M. Loxahatchee NWR - St. John’s River WMD (multiple tracts) - Jonathan Dickinson State Park - Palm Beach County DERM - Florida Panther NWR - Bird Rookery Swamp (SFWMD) - Southwest Florida WMD (multiple tracts) - Martin County Parks and Recreation - Florida Turnpike Enterprise - Fisheating Creek WMA - + others 2.2 million acres of land

Habitats Invaded Natural Habitat Cypress Swamps – 75% Pine Flatwoods – 60% Hammocks – 55% Marsh – 55% Bayhead Swamp – 50% Hardwood Swamp – 50% Lake Edges – 40% Tree Islands – 20% Coastal Prairies – 15% Mangrove Edges – 15% Disturbed Sites – 90% Includes – ditches, canals, spoil islands, road sides, stream crossing, and retention ponds

Ratio of Habitat Managed to Area Invaded by OWCF Mean 47 ha habitat : 1 ha OWCF Range Min - 6 ha habitat : 1 ha OWCF Max - 22,638 ha habitat : 1 ha OWCF

For the average size of natural areas in this survey:  There is “about” 1 herbicide applicator to scout for and treat infestations of OWCF for every 10,000 ha of land (or 1 applicator per 25,000 acres)

Treatment Methods 1) Foliar spray (89.5%) 2) Cut and Spray “Poodle Cut” (57.9%) 3) Aerial Spray (31.6%) Herbicides 1) Glyphosate (100%) 2) Metsulfuron methyl (27.3%) 3) Triclopyr (18.2%)

Best Treatment Method Cut and Spray (38.8%) Foliar Spray (27.7%) Regular Re-treatments (16.7%) Aerial Treatment (5.6%) Aerial Treatment followed with Ground Treatments (5.6%) Nothing is Effective (5.6%)

Percent OWCF Killed per Treatment Initial Treatment 85% Second Treatment 95% Additional treatments (?) - One site has been treated 11 times with glyphosate without complete control

Average Time Before Re-Treatment 3 months = 37.5% 6 months = 12.5% 1 year = 43.8% 2 years = 6.3%

Biocontrols Favorable = 78.9% Unsure = 21.1% Reasons 1) Non-target damage to native ferns 2) Damage to natural communities

Prescribed Fire Not a viable management tool (47.6%) Viable option combined with herbicide (38.1%) Unsure (14.3%)

Limiting Factors to Control OWCF Time limits / other duties (42.9%) Lack of personnel (38.1%) Funding (33.3%) Trained personnel (23.8%) Site access (19.1%) None (19.1%) OWCF on private lands (4.8%)

Most Problematic Invasive Plant? Rank Number 1 Old World Climbing Fern (68.4%) Brazilian Pepper (21.1%) Melaleuca (5.3%) Rank Number 2 Brazilian Pepper (36.7%) Melaleuca (31.6%) Old World Climbing Fern (15.8%) Rank Number 3 Melaleuca (27.8%) Brazilian Pepper (22.2%) Cogongrass (22.2%) Others species not listed

Conclusions Limited field personnel are hindering control of OWCF - 1 field worker per 10,000 ha habitat for monitoring of OWCF and other duties - 1 ha OWCF for every 47 ha of area managed Isolation of OWCF in difficult to access sites or un-accessible sites hinders effective treatment

Conclusions cont. Lack of funding Biocontrols are welcome Majority of land managers surveyed believe OWCF to be the most problematic invasive plant

Acknowledgements Special thanks to all survey respondents ☺ Dr. Doria Gordon and Dr. Jerry Ferrel South Florida Water Management District University of Florida, Agronomy Dept. Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants