The Buffelgrass Phenology Reporter
You might already know that buffelgrass is an invasive species, originally introduced in Arizona for cattle. You might have heard about recent spraying and pulling of buffelgrass to try to slow its spread and diminish the threat it poses to the ecosystems of the Sonoran Desert.
But, did you know that you can contribute to the efforts to manage buffelgrass?
The Buffelgrass Phenology Reporter, a newly released website, encourages Tucsonans to report on the life cycle of buffelgrass (its phenology) in their neighborhoods – information that plays a key role in efforts to control the species.
Each year as the monsoon rains transform our desert landscape, grasses – both native and introduced – start to green up, as shoots of new growth emerge from the roots. As it turns out, one of the best times to spray buffelgrass is when it’s actively photosynthesizing – when it’s green. Because monsoon rains are patchy, so is buffelgrass growth. There’s no one time that’s best for spraying across the city. Leveraging community participation and Web 2.0 technologies, Aaryn Olsson, a senior research specialist in SNRE, has found a way for the public to participate in answering this dynamic question: Where and when is buffelgrass green enough to spray?
Given rainfall and buffelgrass phenology data, Olsson and colleagues hope to also create a tool to predict buffelgrass green up. Managers, knowing how buffelgrass responds to rainfall, would then know where and when to spray – even in areas with out citizens on the ground to observe.
Managing buffelgrass is a complex and key issue in our region – one with many social and ecological dimensions. The Buffelgrass Phenology Reporter presents an integrated response, incorporating public participation, research and management.
Visit the site http://java.arid.arizona.edu/bgpheno, to find out more and participate - check out the Invader Rater, a photo quiz on buffelgrass green up, and see other observers’ results.
