Alaska Invasive Species Alaska Invasive Species Working GroupWorking Group

Alaska Invasive Species Working GroupAlaska Invasive Species Working Group

On a national level, invasive species are estimated to cause over 1 billion dollars a year in environmental and economic damages.

Almost half of the states in the US have some sort of group addressing all-taxa of invasive species. These groups vary in their composition, level of state support, structure, and activity level. State based organizations can react more efficiently and effectively to areas of local concern.

UAF-CES was funded by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) to coordinate the development of an invasive species council.

Addressing All Taxa of InvasivesAddressing All Taxa of Invasives

Alaska experiences fewer invaders than many of the other states. The goal of the AISWG is to help preserve Alaska’s natural environment and economic resources.

Alaska is lucky to be at the beginning of what could become very expensive and deleterious effects from invasive species. Groups have already formed to address plant invaders, marine invasives, and other concerns.

The Alaska Invasive Species Working Group aims to coordinate existing efforts, and to protect Alaska from invasives species of all taxonomic groups.

April Meeting RecapApril Meeting Recap

The first meeting of the AISWG was held in Anchorage, in April 2006• 38 participants from State, Federal and NGOS• Formation of the working group • Development of mission statement and goals • Drafted the Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU)• Established Marine subcommittee• Communication network established• Quarterly Newsletter• Set second Meeting (October 24, 2006)

Mission StatementMission Statement

The mission of Alaska Invasive Species Working Group (AISWG) is to minimize invasive species impacts in Alaska by facilitating collaboration, cooperation

and communication.

AISWG GoalsAISWG Goals

Following are the non-prioritized goals drafted at the April meeting

• Clarify the jurisdictional authorities of signatory parties as they relate to invasive species management.

• Share the scientific and technical expertise of the parties related to invasive species management

• Encourage and enable signatory party employees or members to work collaboratively to optimize their respective capabilities to minimize invasive species impacts.

AISWG Goals, continuedAISWG Goals, continued

• Collaborate in the development of a needs assessment and drafting of a statewide strategic plan for the management of invasive species.

• Consider the formation by the State of Alaska, in collaboration with the other signatory parties, a formal structure for continued collaboration, cooperation and communication to minimize invasive species impacts in Alaska.

Accomplishments: MOUAccomplishments: MOU

The AISWG was given the go-ahead by the Governors office to sign the MOU.We currently have 20 signatures as of February. MOU signatories have been asked to provide an agency summary for the Needs Assessment.

Accomplishments: Marine groupAccomplishments: Marine group

Greater communication, networking• Discussion of Strategic Plan vs. Needs Assessments

document– What will be of most use to the State– What will the AISWG have the resources to accomplish

• List of top 10 Marine invasives

Not yet found in Alaska• Atlantic Cord Grass • Colonial tunicate • Green Crab • New Zealand Mud snail

Already here• Atlantic Salmon • Boring Sponge • Dead Man’s Fingers • Golden Star • Rockweed • Violet Tunicate

Accomplishments:Accomplishments: Marine Group Top Ten ListMarine Group Top Ten List

Accomplishments: CommunicationsAccomplishments: Communications

Teleconferences• Monthly AIWSG and Marine group teleconferences

Listserv: aisc-l@lists.uaf.edu• Over 50 members. Updates of news and activities,

provides a forum for discussion

Website• www.alaskainvasives.org

– AISWG minutes and documents– Contact information– Calendar and news

Accomplishments: NewsletterAccomplishments: Newsletter

Produced Quarterly for the AISWG• Posted on website• Focuses on invasive species issues in Alaska

– Volume 1, May 2006, AISWG formation– Volume 2, August 2006, Invasive species research activities– Volume 3, November 2006, Invasive species management

• Updates on AISWG activities

Recap October 2006 meetingRecap October 2006 meeting

The second AISWG meeting took place on October 24 in Anchorage. Attendees represented close to 20 organizations.• Develop Action plan for 2007

– Needs Assessment– Continued communication and collaboration

• Discuss official designation and support for an Alaska Invasive Species Council– Representatives from State agencies will meet in February to

discuss chairing structure and official structure of the AISWG

Needs AssessmentNeeds Assessment

In October, the AISWG agreed to move forward with drafting a Needs Assessment by April 2007• 10-20 pages• Highlighted Species

– 12 species selected• Status of current efforts

– Collection of Agency summaries from MOU signatories• Recommendations for funding, coordination, education,

etc.• Written for general audience, legislature, decision makers

AlaskaAlaska’’s Dirty Dozens Dirty Dozen

These species were selected to include in the Needs Assessment to highlight invasive species issues.•Limited to 12 for space concerns•Highlight invasive species success stories and potential invaders•Threats to Alaskan resources, economy, or environment

PlantsPlants

Bird Vetch (Vicia cracca L.)•Restricted noxious weed seed• Overtops native vegetation and alters soil nitrogen levels• Obscures sightlines along roadways

Japanese Knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum)•Ranked by the Alaska Natural Heritage Program as the most invasive weed present in Alaska• Forms dense, impassable strands, especially along rivers• Difficult to eradicate, herbicide concerns near waterways

Plants (cont.)Plants (cont.)

Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria)•Invades wetlands, displacing native plants and reduces bird habitat• Produces 100,000 to 2 million seeds per season. Also

spreads vegetatively from cut stems and root fragments

• Prevention is the best defense

Cordgrass (Spartina sp.)•Native to US east coast, found in WA, CA, and OR• Drift card studies indicate potential to spread to Alaska• Transforms mudflats to grassy marshes, altering native

ecosystems

MammalsMammals

Arctic and Red Foxes on Alaskan Islands (Alopexlagopus & Vulpes vulpe)•Introduced to 400 islands by fur merchants in Russian and territorial days•USFWS began eradication efforts on uninhabited islands in 1949, over 40 islands now fox free•Removal of fox allowed Aleutian Cackling Goose to increase numbers on fox-free islands and be removed from endangered species lists.Rats (Norway Rattus norvegicus, Roof rat R. rattus)•Introduced by ship wrecks and ports since 1780•Predacious on native birds•Rat Plan and eradication efforts ongoing

Marine/AquaticMarine/Aquatic

European Green Crabs (Carcinus maenas)•Not currently found in Alaska. Native to northeast Atlantic, currently found as far north as northwest Vancouver Island•Likely transported via ballast water and hull fouling•Voracious hunter, could compete with Dungeness crab and other native speciesAtlantic Salmon (Salmo salar)•ADF&G estimates that up to 3000 are present in AK waters each year•Farmed in British Colombia. Escapees have spawned in at least one BC river•Unknown impacts on Alaskan salmon populations

InsectsInsects

Amber-marked Birch Leaf Miner (Profenusa thomsoni)•Defoliators of birch, affected estimated 138,000 acres in 2004•Host specific parasites released in Anchorage in 2004Asian Gypsy Moth (Lymantria dispar dispar)•Tree and shrub defoliator of over 500 species of trees, shrubs and conifers•Travel along human transportation networks as eggs, larvae and adults. •Trapping and monitoring efforts are ongoing

PathogensPathogens

Chronic Wasting Disease; transmissible spongiform encephalopathy•Found in over 14 states and several provinces•Not yet found in Alaskan wildlife or domestic animals•Transmittal vectors unknown, no treatments or vaccine available.Affects deer, elk, and moose•Causes depression, paralysis, weight loss, pneumonia, and other symptoms that can last for months before death.Late Blight Disease (Phytophthora infestans)•Cause of the Irish Potato famine in the mid 1800’s•Can spread rapidly over long distances by spores from foliage, and by infected seeds and plants from outside Alaska•Three reported cases in Matanuska Valley (none above the Alaska Range)

Ongoing EffortsOngoing Efforts

The Alaska Invasive Species Working Group continues to have monthly teleconferences•Check www.alaskainvasives.org for upcoming meetings•Another in-person meeting scheduled for April 2007 to discuss more formal structuring• Chairing• Membership definitions• Review draft of the Needs Assessment• Continue as a forum for communication and collaboration

AISWG MOU Signatories AISWG MOU Signatories (as of 2/07)(as of 2/07)

AK Dept. Environmental ConservationADF&G

AK Dept. Natural ResourcesAK Dept. of Transportation

UAFUSDA Forest Service

USDA Nat. Resource Conservation ServiceUSDoC NMFS

USDHS Coast GuardUSDI Bureau of Indian Affairs

USDI Bureau of Land ManagementUSDI Fish and Wildlife Service

USDI Geological SurveyUSDI Minerals Management Service

USDI National Park ServicePrince William Sound Regional Citizens'

Advisory CouncilPrince William SoundkeeperAlaska Inter-Tribal Council

Alaska Assoc. of Conservation DistrictsThe Nature Conservancy in Alaska

Questions?