garofano_richard
Tamarisk Tree in Caynonland NP
A Tamarisk tree
Saltcedar is one of several common names for an invasive non-native tree that is spreading rapidly through the inter-mountain region of the western United States, through the Colorado River Canyons, the Great Basin, California and Texas. Other common names include tamarisk and salt cedar.
The tamarisk is degrading the rarest of habitats in the desert southwest - the wetlands. Saltcedar invades springs, ditches and streambanks. The tree has taken over more than 1 million acres of precious Western riparian resource.
Under good conditions, the opportunistic tamarisk can grow 9 to 12 feet in a single season. Under drought conditions, saltcedar survives by dropping its leaves. This ability to survive under harsh desert conditions has given the tree an edge over more desirable native species and causing a sharp decline in cottonwood populations.
The serious direct impacts of saltcedar are numerous. This invasive tree is now taking over and displacing native plants, specifically cottonwood, using its aggressive growth advantage in areas where natural native communities have been damaged by fire, flood or some other disturbance. Native plants have proven to be more valuable in retaining moisture on wetlands than tamarisk. The loss of these native species to tamarisk eventually leads to a net loss of water.
Insects are being investigated as potential biological control agents for saltcedar. Two of these, a mealybug (Trabutina mannipara) and a leaf beetle (Diorhabda elongata), have preliminary approval for release. There is some concern over the possibility that, due to the environmental damage caused by tamarisk, native plant species may not be able to replace it if the biological control agents succeed in eliminating it.
There are three methods of controlling the Tamarisk tree: mechanical, herbicides, and biological. In Caynonland, The Northern Tamarisk beetle is currently the most successful biological control agent for Tamarisk in North America. The Northern Tamarisk Beatles only attack the Tamarisk tree, they survive by eating the foliage.
Dead trees such as the one in this picture is an example of a Tamarisk tree killed by the beatles.
Tamarisk Tree in Caynonland NP
A Tamarisk tree
Saltcedar is one of several common names for an invasive non-native tree that is spreading rapidly through the inter-mountain region of the western United States, through the Colorado River Canyons, the Great Basin, California and Texas. Other common names include tamarisk and salt cedar.
The tamarisk is degrading the rarest of habitats in the desert southwest - the wetlands. Saltcedar invades springs, ditches and streambanks. The tree has taken over more than 1 million acres of precious Western riparian resource.
Under good conditions, the opportunistic tamarisk can grow 9 to 12 feet in a single season. Under drought conditions, saltcedar survives by dropping its leaves. This ability to survive under harsh desert conditions has given the tree an edge over more desirable native species and causing a sharp decline in cottonwood populations.
The serious direct impacts of saltcedar are numerous. This invasive tree is now taking over and displacing native plants, specifically cottonwood, using its aggressive growth advantage in areas where natural native communities have been damaged by fire, flood or some other disturbance. Native plants have proven to be more valuable in retaining moisture on wetlands than tamarisk. The loss of these native species to tamarisk eventually leads to a net loss of water.
Insects are being investigated as potential biological control agents for saltcedar. Two of these, a mealybug (Trabutina mannipara) and a leaf beetle (Diorhabda elongata), have preliminary approval for release. There is some concern over the possibility that, due to the environmental damage caused by tamarisk, native plant species may not be able to replace it if the biological control agents succeed in eliminating it.
There are three methods of controlling the Tamarisk tree: mechanical, herbicides, and biological. In Caynonland, The Northern Tamarisk beetle is currently the most successful biological control agent for Tamarisk in North America. The Northern Tamarisk Beatles only attack the Tamarisk tree, they survive by eating the foliage.
Dead trees such as the one in this picture is an example of a Tamarisk tree killed by the beatles.