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• 1. [Article] Oregon Spartina Response Plan

  Four introduced, invasive species of Spartina (cordgrass) have been present in estuarine areas of the U.S. west coast for over a century. These Spartina species are ecological engineers- they cause severe ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Oregon Spartina Response Plan Author: Pfauth, Mary, Sytsma, Mark, Isaacson, Dennis Year: 2007 Four introduced, invasive species of Spartina (cordgrass) have been present in estuarine areas of the U.S. west coast for over a century. These Spartina species are ecological engineers- they cause severe alternations in the hydrology and food webs of invaded estuaries that are detrimental to native wildlife and commercial and recreational uses. Oregon has been relatively free of these weeds, with only two known infestations. One infestation was eradicated by Oregon Department of Agriculture and the other is currently under eradication by The Nature Conservancy. Title: Oregon Spartina Response Plan Author: Pfauth, Mary, Sytsma, Mark, Isaacson, Dennis Year: 2007 Four introduced, invasive species of Spartina (cordgrass) have been present in estuarine areas of the U.S. west coast for over a century. These Spartina species are ecological engineers- they cause severe alternations in the hydrology and food webs of invaded estuaries that are detrimental to native wildlife and commercial and recreational uses. Oregon has been relatively free of these weeds, with only two known infestations. One infestation was eradicated by Oregon Department of Agriculture and the other is currently under eradication by The Nature Conservancy. Close

• 2. [Article] Feral Swine Action Plan for Oregon

  Feral swine are defined as free roaming animals of the genus Sus that are not being held under domestic management or confinement. Swine have spread from Europe and Russia to habitats around the world ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Feral Swine Action Plan for Oregon Author: Sytsma, Mark, Rouhe, Arick Christopher Year: 2007 Feral swine are defined as free roaming animals of the genus Sus that are not being held under domestic management or confinement. Swine have spread from Europe and Russia to habitats around the world via human introduction. Currently, feral swine populations are established on every continent except Antarctica. Unlike other large mammal invaders, swine have a high reproductive capacity and are omnivorous, which allows for a quick assimilation into most habitats. Once a breeding population is established in an area, the population can quickly increase and negatively impact the ecosystem. A successful invasion of feral swine is difficult, and sometimes impossible, to reverse. A feral swine pest risk assessment for Oregon, released in 2004, designated feral swine as a very high-risk species due to high potential for establishment, environmental and economic impacts, and disease transmission to wildlife, livestock and humans. Economic impacts on ecosystems and disease transmission to wildlife are difficult to assess, but restoration of ecosystems and losses to agriculture and livestock have been estimated to exceed US$800 million in the United States each year. Environmental impacts include facilitation of noxious weed invasions, shifts in dominant plant species, reduction of forest regeneration, and soil erosion. Facilitation of noxious weeds and erosion due to feral swine rooting are documented in Oregon. Feral swine in Oregon have not been implicated in disease transmission to humans, but the recent E. coli outbreak from spinach grown on a California farm that caused three deaths has been genetically traced to feral swine excrement deposited in spinach fields. The feral swine population in Oregon is currently small and dispersed. Few disturbances have been documented but state and federal biologists report regular occurrence of disturbances due to feral swine. Actions to prevent the effects of an invasion fall into three categories: management, control or eradication. Of the three categories, only eradication efforts have successfully slowed or reversed the effects of swine invasions. Case studies from California, Australia, Hawaii, the Galapagos Islands and the Channel Islands off the coast of California show that management and control efforts, while effective in the short term, have not successfully kept small feral swine populations from increasing to levels that are unmanageable and uncontrollable. A four-year feral swine eradication plan is proposed. The Plan includes recommended legislative changes to facilitate eradication, outreach and education, population assessment, rapid response, and eradication elements. A 0.5 FTE position is required at the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife to implement the plan. Eradication of feral swine in Oregon is estimated to require a four-year, $1.29 million effort. Follow-up control of new releases and escapes will require a maintenance effort estimated at less than $50,000 per year (excluding contingency funds for emergency response). These costs are small relative to the value of the $3.6 billion Oregon agriculture and livestock industries and the investment Oregon has made in riparian restoration efforts. Sustained control of feral swine in Oregon will require a longterm commitment that will include annual domestic swine marking, education, and monitoring. Title: Feral Swine Action Plan for Oregon Author: Sytsma, Mark, Rouhe, Arick Christopher Year: 2007 Feral swine are defined as free roaming animals of the genus Sus that are not being held under domestic management or confinement. Swine have spread from Europe and Russia to habitats around the world via human introduction. Currently, feral swine populations are established on every continent except Antarctica. Unlike other large mammal invaders, swine have a high reproductive capacity and are omnivorous, which allows for a quick assimilation into most habitats. Once a breeding population is established in an area, the population can quickly increase and negatively impact the ecosystem. A successful invasion of feral swine is difficult, and sometimes impossible, to reverse. A feral swine pest risk assessment for Oregon, released in 2004, designated feral swine as a very high-risk species due to high potential for establishment, environmental and economic impacts, and disease transmission to wildlife, livestock and humans. Economic impacts on ecosystems and disease transmission to wildlife are difficult to assess, but restoration of ecosystems and losses to agriculture and livestock have been estimated to exceed US$800 million in the United States each year. Environmental impacts include facilitation of noxious weed invasions, shifts in dominant plant species, reduction of forest regeneration, and soil erosion. Facilitation of noxious weeds and erosion due to feral swine rooting are documented in Oregon. Feral swine in Oregon have not been implicated in disease transmission to humans, but the recent E. coli outbreak from spinach grown on a California farm that caused three deaths has been genetically traced to feral swine excrement deposited in spinach fields. The feral swine population in Oregon is currently small and dispersed. Few disturbances have been documented but state and federal biologists report regular occurrence of disturbances due to feral swine. Actions to prevent the effects of an invasion fall into three categories: management, control or eradication. Of the three categories, only eradication efforts have successfully slowed or reversed the effects of swine invasions. Case studies from California, Australia, Hawaii, the Galapagos Islands and the Channel Islands off the coast of California show that management and control efforts, while effective in the short term, have not successfully kept small feral swine populations from increasing to levels that are unmanageable and uncontrollable. A four-year feral swine eradication plan is proposed. The Plan includes recommended legislative changes to facilitate eradication, outreach and education, population assessment, rapid response, and eradication elements. A 0.5 FTE position is required at the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife to implement the plan. Eradication of feral swine in Oregon is estimated to require a four-year, $1.29 million effort. Follow-up control of new releases and escapes will require a maintenance effort estimated at less than $50,000 per year (excluding contingency funds for emergency response). These costs are small relative to the value of the $3.6 billion Oregon agriculture and livestock industries and the investment Oregon has made in riparian restoration efforts. Sustained control of feral swine in Oregon will require a longterm commitment that will include annual domestic swine marking, education, and monitoring. Close

• 3. [Article] Aquatic Vegetation in Irrigation Canals

  Preparation of this guidance manual for integrated aquatic vegetation management in irrigation canals was stimulated, in large part, by the accidental release of acrolein-treated irrigation water into ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Aquatic Vegetation in Irrigation Canals Author: Sytsma, Mark, Parker, Michael Year: 1999 Preparation of this guidance manual for integrated aquatic vegetation management in irrigation canals was stimulated, in large part, by the accidental release of acrolein-treated irrigation water into Bear Creek in southern Oregon. The resulting fish kill brought into focus the need to examine the methods available for managing aquatic vegetation in flowing water. Furthermore, it demonstrated the need for technical assistance on aquatic vegetation management in Oregon. Vegetation management in flowing water is a difficult undertaking. The interconnectedness of natural and manmade water conveyance systems, the tenuous status of many aquatic species, and the necessity of water delivery for profitable and productive agriculture in Oregon and much of the Northwest interact to focus attention on the way that aquatic vegetation management is conducted. Endangerment of fish species in the Pacific Northwest requires a detailed examination of agricultural operations. This manual is intended to provide water conveyance system managers a summary of available technologies for aquatic vegetation management and to outline the concepts and procedures necessary for development of an integrated management plan for vegetation growing in canals. With the adoption of a thoughtful approach to aquatic vegetation management, and with technical assistance and research on the problem plants and control techniques, aquatic vegetation can be managed without severe off-site and non-target impacts. It is hoped that this manual will assist in reaching that goal. Title: Aquatic Vegetation in Irrigation Canals Author: Sytsma, Mark, Parker, Michael Year: 1999 Preparation of this guidance manual for integrated aquatic vegetation management in irrigation canals was stimulated, in large part, by the accidental release of acrolein-treated irrigation water into Bear Creek in southern Oregon. The resulting fish kill brought into focus the need to examine the methods available for managing aquatic vegetation in flowing water. Furthermore, it demonstrated the need for technical assistance on aquatic vegetation management in Oregon. Vegetation management in flowing water is a difficult undertaking. The interconnectedness of natural and manmade water conveyance systems, the tenuous status of many aquatic species, and the necessity of water delivery for profitable and productive agriculture in Oregon and much of the Northwest interact to focus attention on the way that aquatic vegetation management is conducted. Endangerment of fish species in the Pacific Northwest requires a detailed examination of agricultural operations. This manual is intended to provide water conveyance system managers a summary of available technologies for aquatic vegetation management and to outline the concepts and procedures necessary for development of an integrated management plan for vegetation growing in canals. With the adoption of a thoughtful approach to aquatic vegetation management, and with technical assistance and research on the problem plants and control techniques, aquatic vegetation can be managed without severe off-site and non-target impacts. It is hoped that this manual will assist in reaching that goal. Close