Audubon Invasive Cichlid Exhibit and Outreach

Biological invasions by fish species pose a grave threat to the living resources of the Barataria and Terrebonne Estuaries.  Non-native fish such as the Rio Grande cichlid can negatively impact native species by competition for food and nesting space, disruption of predator-prey relationships, aggressive interactions, and predation on smaller fish and fish eggs.  Louisiana’s commercial and recreational fishing industries would stand to lose a great deal if this species were to become widely established.

The Rio Grande cichlid has been known to inhabit freshwater canals on the south shore of Lake Pontchartrain since the mid-1990s.  Recent evidence indicates that the species is increasing its range, traveling through, and perhaps even nesting within the saltier waters of the Pontchartrain estuary.  This does not bode well for the Barataria and Terrebonne systems.  Thus far, this population has not spread to the westbank of the Mississippi River, but the potential for invasion and widespread establishment is great. 

These project will support the development of two live exhibits that will plainly illustrate to millions of visitors what we stand to lose to biological invasions. 

Homegrown Roots

Pointe Aux Chenes is an area ravaged by hurricanes and left lifeless through immense coastal erosion.   Nine year old students can remember a time when the road was lined with land and the bayou wasn’t as salty.   The land of Pointe Aux Chenes has washed away before the residents’ very eyes.   What can we do about it? That is a question that is often answered with “huh” by students.  The problem for them seems too great, too vast.   Students aren’t given a chance to take ownership in their backyards.  Students aren’t educated on the ways in which their land can be restored and recaptured.  

Through “Homegrown Roots”, students will be given the opportunity to get their hands dirty and help in the effort to revitalize the Louisiana Coast without ever leaving their community.  Students will take ownership in knowing that they have impacted their environment in a positive way.  Students will be actively growing and planting native species to the area.  The students will learn that native species are vital to the survival of the estuary.  In coordination with the Coastal Roots program already running in multiple schools throughout Louisiana’s coastal zone, students will harvest the plants they grow and participate in plantings for coastal restoration projects.

Click here to visit the Coastal Roots Program: http://coastalroots.lsu.edu/ 

Righteous Fur 

Based in southeast Louisiana on the frontlines of the battle to save our wetlands, Righteous Fur is working with the Barataria-Terrebonne Estuary Foundation to bring designer nutria-fur clothing and nutria-teeth jewelry to the contemporary fashion market. Our goals? To help control a destructive invasive species; to raise public awareness about the need to restore our vanishing coast; and to provide a stylish "guilt-free" alternative to traditional fur products.

Click on the Righteous Fur link above or the logo on the right to go directly to the Righteous Fur web page.

Restoration Pilot Project in Woodlands Trail and Park

Prior to Hurricane Katrina and Rita, three woody, non-native invasive species, Chinese tallow (Sapium sebiferum), Chinese privet (Ligustrum sinense) and Chinaberry (Melia azederach) were identified as to being concentrated on the edges and along canopy openings associated with trails of the 609-acre bottomland hardwood forest known as Woodlands Trail and Park Bird Sanctuary.  These invaders were first introduced into this region of the Gulf Coast several decades ago, but have expanding exponentially in the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005.   It is estimated that 70-90% of the canopy was removed from this bottomland hardwood forest by the winds of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. 

Without funds to remove the larger Chinese Tallow, the area continues to be seeded, thus proliferating the density of invasives.   In addition to spreading seeds across the entirety of our urban and natural landscapes, these storms also removed virtually all of the intact, closed canopy of cypress-tupelo stands and so exposed these newly-dispersed seeds to almost full sunlight for most daylight hours in Woodlands Trail and Park.  While Community volunteer efforts have worked to remove smaller (<1 m) Chinese tallow, Chinaberry and Chinese privet, larger individuals (particularly Chinese Tallow) continue to grow and further seed the forest.  Individuals can grow rapidly (3-5 m per year) and now,  without aggressive eradication measures, we face a high likelihood that these invaders that were primarily limited to our forest edges, will continue to penetrate further into the forest and within a decade may dominate the entirety of this bottomland hardwood  forest. 

Bottomland Hardwood Forest Restoration
through Invasive Species Removal

A Studio in the Woods (ASITW), a program of Tulane University’s Center for Bioenvironmental Research, located in 7.66 forested acres on the Mississippi River, is dedicated to preserving the endangered bottomland hardwood forest and providing within it a peaceful retreat where visual, literary and performing artists can work uninterrupted. Programming includes community workshops in the arts and environmental preservation, and an outdoor classroom where school children and university students can experience and study the natural world. One of only a few artists' retreats in the region, ASITW fosters both environmental preservation and the creative work of all artists.  It is a rare 40-year study in the interface among nature, the arts and the built environment.

The documentation and research of the rehabilitation of the woods is critical to the work at ASITW.  Our objectives for research are as follows: (1) to establish a model for Bottomland Hardwood Forest restoration through a long-term invasive species removal and by monitoring growth rates of the hardwood trees as related to numbers of invasive species removed; (2) to construct a timeline for forest recovery showing how healthy forests near urban areas can help buffer hurricane force winds; and (3) to establish an understanding of which species benefit most from invasive species removal. Outlining criteria helps establish this site as a demonstration project that will inform invasive species management protocols in bottomland hardwood forests throughout Louisiana.

Several invasive species invaded the property creating a BHF with an under story filled with Chinese Privet (Ligustrum sinense) and Chinese Tallow (Sapium sebiferum). Over the course of two decades, these species have changed the forest composition, altering the natural hardwood seedling germination. Invasive species were pulled by hand where possible or flush cut with herbicide applied via paintbrush directly onto the newly exposed stem. By removing the two dominant invasive species in the under story the forest floor has opened allowing for germination of hardwood seedlings.

The hurricanes of 2005 caused extensive damage to the forest canopy.  Elevated light levels now reaching the forest floor accelerated invasive species growth increasing the necessity for invasive species removal. Without proper management the invasive species compete with the hardwoods seedlings and saplings for the light. Since Hurricane Katrina the invasive species removal has continued. Fortunately many invasive trees were removed prior to Hurricane Katrina allowing for pockets of seed germination, as evidenced by the proliferation of elderberry.

We have already witnessed a significant indicator of success in the natural replacement of the Chinese Privet in the understory in Elderberry (Sambucus Canadensis). Elderberry’s rapid response to invasive species removal has and will aid in the success of hardwood saplings and seedlings. Native understory trees like elderberry in large numbers will provide enough diffused sun to prevent Chinese Privet germination while enabling hardwood seedlings to establish a root system and height needed to survive.

In late 2009, early 2010 we expect the removal of the Chinese Privet to be complete and look forward to witnessing the growth of healthy woods.