Report to the Republic of Palau: 2008 update on Invasive Plant ...

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management activities 4 . Our primary field references were checklists prepared from <strong>the</strong> 2002 survey, a checklist <strong>of</strong> collections made by Dr. Lorence and his colleagues, and a checklist by Kitalong et al. (in press). These checklists also incorporated species previously recorded by o<strong>the</strong>rs (see Appendix 10, References). The survey team inspected <strong>the</strong> islands <strong>of</strong> Koror, Malakal, Ngerkebesang, Babeldaob, Angaur Peleliu and Kayangel by vehicle, focusing on disturbed sites such as roadsides, airstrips, ports and ‘urban’ areas. Rapid visual inspection and recording <strong>of</strong> species along <strong>the</strong> routes chosen was accompanied by more detailed inspection on foot at a variety <strong>of</strong> sites or when suspected new species were seen. On Babeldaob, particular attention was given <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> recently completed Compact Road. The Rock Islands <strong>of</strong> Bab el Omekang, Bkul a Chesemiich, Ngchelobel, Ngchus, Ngeanges (Neco), Ngercheu (Carp Resort), Ngerchong, Ngeremdiu and Ngemelis were visited by boat and inspected on foot. All but <strong>the</strong> latter were visited in <strong>the</strong> 2002 survey; Ngemelis was included in this survey <strong>to</strong> ga<strong>the</strong>r baseline data as it has recently been opened <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> public. We were not able <strong>to</strong> revisit Betikel, Ngidech or Ulong islands due <strong>to</strong> lack <strong>of</strong> time. The islands <strong>of</strong> Sonsorol and Ha<strong>to</strong>hobei States were not surveyed. It would be highly desirable if <strong>the</strong>se islands could also be reassessed in <strong>the</strong> future. Herbarium specimens (225) <strong>of</strong> new, significant, taxonomically difficult or unknown species were collected for later identification or verification. All voucher specimens and duplicates will ultimately be deposited in <strong>the</strong> herbarium collections <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> National Tropical Botanical Garden (PTBG) and <strong>the</strong> Belau National Museum (BNM) with duplicates <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> New York Botanical Garden (NY) and <strong>the</strong> Smithsonian Institution (US) when available. For <strong>the</strong> purposes <strong>of</strong> this report, invasive species occurring in or <strong>of</strong> threat <strong>to</strong> <strong>Palau</strong> have been grouped in<strong>to</strong> six categories: 1. Species that have been subjects <strong>of</strong> eradication programs (7 species, listed in Appendix 1, Table 1). 2. Major invasive species that are invasive or potentially invasive in <strong>Palau</strong> and are <strong>of</strong> significant concern <strong>to</strong> natural or semi-natural ecosystems (55 species, listed in Appendix 1, Table 2). 3. O<strong>the</strong>r species <strong>of</strong> concern that are invasive or weedy elsewhere and are common, weedy or cultivated in <strong>Palau</strong> (138 species, listed in Appendix 1, Table 3). 4. Species <strong>of</strong> low risk or <strong>of</strong> agricultural concern that are invasive weeds in gardens, fields, and pastures and along roadsides (156 species, listed in Appendix 1, Table 4). 5. Native species (or Micronesian introductions) that exhibit aggressive behavior (16 species, listed in Appendix 1, Table 5). 6. Species that are invasive elsewhere in similar ecosystems but were not seen on our visit and are not reported in <strong>the</strong> literature as being present in <strong>Palau</strong>, <strong>of</strong> which 631 species are 4 We would like <strong>to</strong> express our sincere appreciation for <strong>the</strong> hospitality, assistance and support provided by <strong>the</strong> Minister <strong>of</strong> Resources and Development, Fritz Koshiba, and <strong>the</strong> Direc<strong>to</strong>r <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Bureau <strong>of</strong> Agriculture, Fernando Sengebau. We are also much indebted <strong>to</strong> Ann Kitalong, Vanray Tadao, Sholeh Hanser and Jesse Czekanski-Moir <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Belau National Museum for <strong>the</strong>ir enthusiastic participation in <strong>the</strong> field work and for much-needed assistance in collecting, preparing, drying and curating voucher specimens. We also much appreciated <strong>the</strong> valuable assistance <strong>of</strong> Dr. David Brussell <strong>of</strong> Eastern Illinois University in <strong>the</strong> short time we had available for surveying Kayangel A<strong>to</strong>ll. Last but not least, <strong>the</strong> <strong>Palau</strong> Conservation Society provided <strong>the</strong>ir boat, without which <strong>the</strong> surveys <strong>of</strong> Peleliu, Angaur, Kayangel and <strong>the</strong> Rock Islands would not have been possible. 2
<strong>of</strong> known or potential environmental concern (Appendix 2, Table 1) and 276 o<strong>the</strong>r invasive species (Appendix 2, Table 2). These species are listed in <strong>the</strong> tables <strong>of</strong> Appendices 1 and 2 with commentary on <strong>the</strong> more significant species in <strong>the</strong> following text. Additional information about each species is located on an Internet site, http://www.hear.org/pier, and on <strong>the</strong> PIER-CD, copies <strong>of</strong> which have been made available <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> Ministry <strong>of</strong> Resources and Development, <strong>the</strong> National Invasive Species Coordina<strong>to</strong>r, <strong>Palau</strong> Community College, <strong>the</strong> US Natural Resources Conservation Service, The Nature Conservancy, <strong>the</strong> Belau National Museum, <strong>the</strong> <strong>Palau</strong> Conservation Society and o<strong>the</strong>rs. Widespread 1. Significant new species found in this survey Erigeron bellioides (fleabane daisy) was previously noted by Lorence and Flynn (1998) on Koror. In this survey we found it present on most islands [vouchers 9737, 9763 and 9864]. It may have been present and missed on some islands in <strong>the</strong> previous survey, but it has obviously spread widely since that time. It is present elsewhere in Micronesia and is a fairly recent introduction <strong>to</strong> Hawai‘i. It has tiny seeds (achenes) that may be spread by <strong>the</strong> movement <strong>of</strong> soil, as a hitchhiker on footwear or on <strong>the</strong> feet <strong>of</strong> birds (Nagata, 1995). Hamelia patens (firebush, redhead, scarletbush) is in cultivation in several yards on Peleliu [voucher 9745] and elsewhere. The flowers are being used for leis. This species is listed as a weedy species by Holm et al. (1977) and has a reputation <strong>of</strong> being weedy in its native range. A weed risk assessment for this species resulted in a score <strong>of</strong> 7, characterizing it as “high risk”. Sesbania cannabina (prickly sesban) is not new but has become significantly more widespread since <strong>the</strong> 2002 survey. It was seen along roadsides in Malakal [voucher 9717], near <strong>the</strong> dump in Koror, and at several sites along <strong>the</strong> Compact Road on Babeldaob [voucher 9808]. It is a nitrogen-fixing species so it can readily grow on poorer soils. Although it is a woody small shrub or sub-shrub, individuals seem <strong>to</strong> die back after a short period <strong>of</strong> time. A risk assessment prepared for Australia gave this species a score <strong>of</strong> 17, “high risk”. It is mentioned as being invasive in Yap (Fosberg & Falanruw, 1980), Guam (S<strong>to</strong>ne, 1970) and New Caledonia (MacKee, 1994). Joel Miles (pers. com.) reports that <strong>the</strong> Compact Road construction apparently contributed <strong>to</strong> its spread—it appeared in several areas where soil was added when <strong>the</strong> road was almost complete. The source <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> soil could not be determined. Vehicle traffic may be aiding its fur<strong>the</strong>r spread along roads. Babeldaob Aeschynomene americana (American joint vetch) [vouchers 9812 and 9915] was collected on <strong>the</strong> Compact Road near <strong>the</strong> airport. This weedy species had previously been reported by Fosberg et al. (1979) and <strong>the</strong>re are voucher specimens in <strong>the</strong> Belau National Museum. This species has a risk assessment score <strong>of</strong> 12 and is rated “high risk”. Alternan<strong>the</strong>ra ficoidea [=A. tenella] ‘Bettzickiana’ (sanguinarea) a small variegated ornamental plant, was seen planted for landscaping at <strong>the</strong> Capi<strong>to</strong>l [voucher 9845]. It was also seen in cultivation in Koror and Malakal and on Ngerchong Island [voucher 9869]. GRIN (USDA, 3
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Page 4 and 5: Pulo Ana ..........................
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Page 11 and 12: Leucas lavandulifolia [voucher 9929
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Page 15 and 16: 2. Species that are subjects <stron
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Page 29 and 30: Cestrum diurnum (day cestrum, day j
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Ngercheu (Carp Resort) Scientific N
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Appendix 1. Invasive plant species
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Table 2. Major species that are inv
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Table 3. Other spe
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Table 3. Other spe
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Table 4. Other inv
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Table 4. Other inv
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Appendix 2. Invasive plant species
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Table 1. Invasive plant species <st
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Table 2. Other inv
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Table 2. Other inv
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Appendix 3. Invasive species presen
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Scientific Name Hawai'i Guam Yap Pa
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Table 1. Invasive species o
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Appendix 5. Other
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Table 1. Other inv
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Table 2. Other inv
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Table 2. Other inv
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Table 3. Other inv
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Table 5. Other inv
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Table 6. Other inv
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Table 8. Other inv
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Appendix 6. Presence of</st
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Table 2. Species of</strong
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Table 1. Other spe
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Table 2. Other spe
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Table 3. Other spe
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Table 4. Other spe
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Table 5. Other spe
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Table 8. Other spe
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Table 8. Other spe
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Table 9. Other spe
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Table 9. Other spe
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Appendix 8. Risk assessments for in
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Synonym Listed as Family Gomphrena
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Fosberg, F. R., and M.-H. Sachet. 1
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Stoddart, D. R. 19
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