Breaking Boundaries to Combat Invasive Species- A Partnership Using Virtual Fencing to Target Graze Phragmites
Extension Education
Ashley Longmore
Extension Assistant Professor
Utah State University
Brigham City
Abstract
Phragmites (Phragmites australis) is an invasive species that thrives in wetlands, forming dense mats of vegetation that can overtake these environments. Once established, Phragmites outcompetes native plants, altering both the biotic and abiotic components of wetland ecosystems. Phragmites is one of the major threats for the Great Salt Lake Ecosystem, which is the terminus for the Great Salt Lake watershed which encompasses 22,000 square miles of land in Utah, Wyoming, Idaho and Nevada. The Great Salt Lake has dense stands of phragmites which create conditions that are unsuitable for many wetland dependent avian species that depend on open wetland habitats. The Great Salt Lake is a critical habitat for 250 species of waterfowl, shorebirds and songbirds. It is estimated that 10 million birds use the Great Salt Lake annually. To combat the increases of phragmites, Grazing has proven effective in reducing and managing Phragmites, but managing livestock distributions in wetland systems across various property boundaries with traditional fencing is problematic. Utah State University Extension teamed up with multiple stakeholders including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Partners Program, Bear River Bird Refuge, Utah Department of Agriculture and Food, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, The Nature Conservancy, Northern Utah Conservation District, as well as private landowners and ranchers, to demonstrate the use of virtual fencing for targeted grazing of Phragmites as a new technology that will enhance the management of grazing to manage phragmites. In order to maintain the critical wetland habitats and healthy watersheds properly managed grazing could provide a watershed scale solution to phragmites invasions and return functional avian habitats the Great Salt Lake Ecosystem.
Poster has NOT been presented at any previous NACAA AM/PIC
This poster is being submitted for judging. It will be displayed at the AM/PIC if not selected as a State winner. The abstract will be published in the proceedings.
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Authors: Ashley Longmore
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Longmore, A. Extension Assistant Professor, , Utah, 84302