Scientists use a helicopter to reach remote patches of invasive plants.
Volunteers often help remove invasive plants along trails and in easily-accessible areas of the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. However, in remote wildland areas where trekking in on foot is just not feasible, scientists still have to keep invasive plants at bay. To seek out and eradicate these far-flung patches of weeds, Irvine Ranch Conservancy staff gear up and take to the air.
Last weekend, two Conservancy staff members flew by helicopter to areas where invasive plants were taking hold. Together with contractors from Wildlands Conservation Science and transported by an expert wildland helicopter pilot, the team treated over 200 remote patches of artichoke thistle, pampas grass, tamarisk, and fountain grass. They received special training to safely and efficiently enter and exit the helicopter with their equipment. Using the helicopter meant that the crew could “hopscotch” from site to site and consequently finished work in three days that normally would have taken months to complete on foot.
Volunteers often help remove invasive plants along trails and in easily-accessible areas of the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. However, in remote wildland areas where trekking in on foot is just not feasible, scientists still have to keep invasive plants at bay. To seek out and eradicate these far-flung patches of weeds, Irvine Ranch Conservancy staff gear up and take to the air.
Last weekend, two Conservancy staff members flew by helicopter to areas where invasive plants were taking hold. Together with contractors from Wildlands Conservation Science and transported by an expert wildland helicopter pilot, the team treated over 200 remote patches of artichoke thistle, pampas grass, tamarisk, and fountain grass. They received special training to safely and efficiently enter and exit the helicopter with their equipment. Using the helicopter meant that the crew could “hopscotch” from site to site and consequently finished work in three days that normally would have taken months to complete on foot.
The patches of invasive plants were identified by an initial helicopter survey in 2011. Every year since, ground and helicopter crews have been targeting these patches, each ranked in priority based on many factors. Plant species that can spread quickly yet are found only in patches, and with a high potential impact to native habitats are selected for weed control treatment. For example, a weed like black mustard has high impact, but is so widely distributed that attempting to control it across the entire acreage of the landmarks would be ineffective. Instead, other invasive plants like artichoke thistle and tamarisk are prime targets due to the high probability that they can be controlled before those weeds get out of hand.
Tackling invasive plants no matter where they are is critical to the health of local wildlife. Invasive species compete for space and resources with native plants, and if left unmanaged, can grow to huge populations and monopolize the landscape. Areas dominated by invasive plants support less wildlife, so removing them, especially those isolated patches that occur in remote areas will help preserve sensitive native plant communities and the animals that they support.
The work done by air complements that done by volunteers at more accessible sites on the ground. If you would like to join the fight against invasive plant species, visit www.LetsGoOutside.org/Activites and do a search for stewardship activities.
Tackling invasive plants no matter where they are is critical to the health of local wildlife. Invasive species compete for space and resources with native plants, and if left unmanaged, can grow to huge populations and monopolize the landscape. Areas dominated by invasive plants support less wildlife, so removing them, especially those isolated patches that occur in remote areas will help preserve sensitive native plant communities and the animals that they support.
The work done by air complements that done by volunteers at more accessible sites on the ground. If you would like to join the fight against invasive plant species, visit www.LetsGoOutside.org/Activites and do a search for stewardship activities.
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