Big Island Invasive Species Committee (BIISC)
BIISC Early Detection program
Early detection and rapid response are widely regarded as the most cost-effective
approach to dealing with invasive species. By detecting potentially harmful species early
and responding rapidly to control small populations we can prevent such species from
becoming established.
BIISC began its early detection program in 2006 by contract services. In 2007, BIISC
hired a two person team to continue the program. Since 2006, BIISC has surveyed a total
of 44 nurseries across the island and is now focusing on roadside surveys. The BIISC
Early Detection team includes botanists who conduct roadside surveys to map new plants
all over the island. The plants are evaluated based on scientific study of plant traits and
behavior, invasiveness elsewhere, and expert interviews. By doing this, we are able to
sift a small list of targets out of the vast number of naturalized species on the island.
Follow-up surveys are also done to determine how widespread the plant is in the area.
Different regions have developed criteria systems to evaluate species for prioritization
for rapid response actions. These criteria include such factors as the density of the
infestation, the labor required, the weed risk assessment score, whether permissions for control can be obtained, etc. At the
statewide level, the ISCs are currently considering development of a statewide protocol for
prioritization. The Oahu Invasive Species is testing a method. As BIISC completes our
first island-wide survey, we will develop a ranked list of species for response.
Where's that weed? Citizen "Pest Spotter" programs
As BIISC follows up on road side surveys for invasive weeds, we need community
help in locating possible additional populations. BIISC is working with the USGS Eyes
and Ears Network (http://www.reportapest.org) for citizen outreach and training. We encourage the public to become "pest spotters" to catch pests before they become too well
established for eradication. We have held training workshops in Volcano and Waimea
and will be following up with further activities. Training material is also online at the
Eyes and Ears site. We encourage neighborhood residents to get together to agree on
what pests would be unwanted in their area, such as coqui frogs, little fire ants, or weeds,
and have fun strolling the neighborhood listening and observing. By being proactive, and
familiar with neighbors' opinions, responses can be made quickly if a pest is spotted and
control is agreed upon.
Please contact BIISC at 933-3345 if you know of additional locations where these weeds
have been spotted. Reports can also be made online at http://www.reportapest.org.
Early detection brochures
BIISC early detection accomplishments
The Early Detection team performs roadside surveys by driving their Chevy
Tahoe,equipped with large "Botanical Survey in Progress" signs and flashing
light, at 5-15 mph through residential streets, while busier sections of the highway
are surveyed by foot. When a new plant is found, the crew submits it to the Hawaii Weed Risk Assessment where it is analyzed using a 50-question rubric to determine its potential for invasiveness.
The BIISC early detection crew has:
- Clocked close to 1,500 miles in 26 months of roadside surveys.
- Completed surveys of Kau, South Kona, North Kona, Upper Puna, South Kohala,
North Kohala, Hamakua, North Hilo, South Hilo districts. Districts left to survey: Lower Puna, Ocean View Subdivision in Kau, Hilo Town
- About 200 species have been placed on BIISC's Target List, which is used as a
guideline and primer. Surveyors look for new, unusual naturalized species, and
collect fruit and flowers for identification and documentation.
- Collected 51 new Big Island naturalized plant records for the Bishop Museum herbarium.
- Published seven of those new records in the 2008 HBS Occasional Papers. Frequently, new discoveries were not on the Target List.
- Recommended some crucial weeds for immediate removal, which then was
completed by the BIISC field crew.
- Palo verde or Jerusalem thorn (Parkinsonia aculeata) - removed two
cultivated trees from the only property where plants were found.
- Empress tree (Paulownia tomentosa) - removed 10 cultivated and
naturalized trees from the only property where plants were found.
- Recommended some weeds for long-term control actions; the BIISC field crew
has made Rapid Response actions on these plants and has more actions planned.
Identification material for these plants can be found at reportapest.org and www.hear.org.
Species detail
Rubber vine (Cryptostegia madagascariensis)
Rubber vine has been named as Australia's worst weed. Cryptostegia was identified
in the Kekaha Kai State Park as well as on the roadside throughout North Kona.
Cryptostegia is perfectly suited to the hot and dry climate of the western side of Hawaii
Island. Rubber vine possess a distinct purple flower which can make it attractive to
gardeners.
Cherokee rose (Rosa laevigata)
Cherokee rose has been located by the BIISC Early Detection team at sites throughout
Volcano and Fern Forest subdivision. Rosa laevigata is native to China and was
identified as an invasive risk.
Pink jasmine (Jasminum polyanthum)
An aggressive removal effort was made by the Maui Invasive Species Committee when
this species was found. Pink jasmine was identified at a location in Volcano Hawaii
and controlled. It's a very hard to kill vine and its control resulted in high labor costs.
Jasminium has been ranked as high risk by using the weed risk assessment criteria.
Jerusalem thorn (Parkinsonia aculeata)
A single population of Jerusalem thorn was identified by the BIISC Early Detection
team in South Kona. Because there was a small population, and following the lead of
the Maui Invasive Species Committee, the BIISC field crew was able to get landowners
permission to eradicate this plant from known locations on Hawaii Island.
Empress tree (Paulownia tomentosa)
A single population of empress tree was identified by the BIISC Early Detection team
in the Waimea area of Hawaii Island. Working with the landowner, the BIISC crew
controlled this population.
Barbados gooseberry (Pereskia aculeata)
This cactus, with its viney habit, has the
ability to form impenetrable, spiny thickets, which are miserable to walk through. Barbados gooseberry forms a dense canopy that can smother native vegetation. The plant is a woody vine
with dark green, waxy to fleshy, alternate leaves that are 2-4 inches long, and branches
extending up to 30 feet covered in clusters of long, slender spines. This is only the
second time this plant has been reported in the state. The other population on Molokai
is currently being controlled by the Molokai Invasive Species Committee (MoMISC)
Poison devil's-pepper (Rauvolfia vomitoria)
Within the last decade a population of this
plant has exploded in the Kohala area. Within five years trees can become mature, a foot in
diameter, and 15 m tall. The population is spreading very rapidly via birds that transport the seeds.
All parts of the tree are poisonous. This species now infests over 1000 acres, and has the potential to
spread extensively.
Contact us
BIISC staff welcome your questions, comments, and participation. Please see BIISC contact information.
Join our e-mail list
For up-to-date information about BIISC activities, join the BIISC e-mail list.
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