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SUMMARY

Rating	Alert	Impact	Invasiveness	Distribution	Doc.
High	N	A	A	A	2.9
Comments:
Rating 1 = High 2 = Moderate 3 = Limited 4 = Evaluated, not listed		Alert Y = Yes N = No	Scores A = Severe B = Moderate C = Limited D = None U = Unknown	Documentation 4 = Reviewed scientific publications 3 = Other published material 2 = Observational 1 = Anecdotal 0 = No information

Scores

1.1	1.2	1.3	1.4	2.1	2.2	2.3	2.4	2.5	2.6	2.7	3.1	3.2
A	A	B	U	A	A	U	A	A	A	A	A	A

IMPACT

1.1 Impact on abiotic ecosystem processes - A

Identify ecosystem processes impacted: Japanese climbing fern changes fire regime in pineywood forest by creating a fire ladder with its dead frons. This causes an increase in crown fires and can allow it to carry fire across wetland barriers that would have stopped the fire

Sources of information: K.A. Langeland, H.M Cherry, et al. 2008. Identification and Biology of Nonnative Plants in Florida's Natural Areas - Second Edition. University of Florida - IFAS Pub SP 257.

Miller, James H. 2003. Nonnative invasive plants of southern forests: a field guide for identification and control. Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS-62. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Research Station. 93 p.

Personal Communications: Dr. Ron Billings, Manager, Forest Health, Texas Forest Service.

Randall Stocker, R. and K.V. Hupp. 2008. Chapter 6: Fire and Nonnative Invasive Plants in the Southeast Bioregion. USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-42-vol. 6.

Zeller, M. and D. Leslie. 2004. Japanese Climbing Fern Control Trials In Planted Pine. Wildland Weeds Summer 2004.

Documentation: Other Pub. Mat'l

1.2 Impact on plant community composition, structure, and interactions - A

Identify type of impact or alteration: It can grow so dense that it forms a living 'wall', leading to the elimination of seedlings and other native vegetation. Massive infestations displace all native flora and fauna, completely changing the ecosystem of the area.

Sources of information: K.A. Langeland, H.M Cherry, et al. 2008. Identification and Biology of Nonnative Plants in Florida's Natural Areas-Second Edition. University of Florida-IFAS Pub SP 257.

Personal Communications: Dr. Ron Billings, Manager, Forest Health, Texas Forest Service.

Randall Stocker, R. and K.V. Hupp. 2008. Chapter 6: Fire and Nonnative Invasive Plants in the Southeast Bioregion. USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-42-vol. 6.

Documentation: Other Pub. Mat'l

1.3 Impact on higher trophic levels - B

Identify type of impact or alteration: By dominating the ground cover in pine forests and savannahs, Japanese climbing fern reduces the presence of granivore birds and herbivorous mammals.

Sources of information: Leichty, E.R. 2010. Effects of Granivores and Herbivores on Pine Savanna Groundcover Vegetation. Ph.D. dissertation: Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA.

Documentation: Other Pub. Mat'l

1.4 Impact on genetic integrity - U

Identify impacts: No native Lygodium species in TX, and no known hybridization with native species.

Sources of information: Native Plant Information Network: http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=LYPA3 (Accessed 2 May 2011).

Correll, D. S. and M. C. Johnston. 1970. Manual of the vascular plants of Texas. Texas.

Research Foundation, Renner, Texas.

Documentation: Other Pub. Mat'l

IMPACT: A A B U = A

INVASIVENESS

2.1 Role of anthropogenic and natural disturbance in establishment - A

Describe role of disturbance: Can invade open forest and undisturbed lands.

Sources of information: Miller, James H. 2003. Nonnative invasive plants of southern forests: a field guide for identification and control. Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS-62. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Research Station. 93 p.
Zeller, M. and D. Leslie. 2004. Japanese Climbing Fern Control Trials In Planted Pine. Wildland Weeds Summer 2004.

Documentation: Other Pub. Mat'l

2.2 Local rate of spread with no management - A

Describe rate of spread: Increasing rapidly (doubling in <10 years)

Sources of information: Personal Communications: Dr. Ron Billings, Manager, Forest Health, Texas Forest Service.

Personal Communications: Joe Pase, Regional Forest Health Coordinator East Texas Region, Texas Forest Service.

Personal Communications: Vanessa Adams, Biologist, Texas Parks and Wildlife-Caddo Lake Wildlife Management Area.

Documentation: Observational

2.3 Recent trend in total area infested within state - U

Describe trend: Based on the Texas Forest Service most recent range map the population is increasing rapidly (doubling in range statewide in <10 years). Could be that the fern was in most counties 10 years ago, but only recently reported. So probably an A, but listing as an Unknown due to lack of evidence. Early flora (Correll and Johnston 1970) suggests that it was only found in a few s.e. counties at first. EDD Maps and BONAP (Kartesz 2011) maps show Lygodium japonicum from about 23 counties in SE Texas.

Correll, D. S. and M. C. Johnston. 1970. Manual of the vascular plants of Texas. Texas

Sources of information: Personal Communications: Dr. Ron Billings, Manager, Forest Health, Texas Forest Service.

Personal Communications: Joe Pase, Regional Forest Health Coordinator East Texas Region, Texas Forest Service.

Personal Communications: Vanessa Adams, Biologist, Texas Parks and Wildlife – Caddo Lake Wildlife Management Area.

Research Foundation, Renner, Texas. Kartesz, J.T., The Biota of North America Program (BONAP). 2011. North American Plant Atlas (http://www.bonap.org/MapSwitchboard.html). Chapel Hill, N.C. [maps generated from Kartesz, J.T. 2010. Floristic Synthesis of North America, Version 1.0. Biota of North America Program (BONAP). (in press)].

EDDMapS. 2011. Early Detection & Distribution Mapping System. The University of Georgia-Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health. Available online at http://www.eddmaps.org/; last accessed December 12, 2011.

Correll, D. S. and M. C. Johnston. 1970. Manual of the vascular plants of Texas. Texas

Documentation: Observational

2.4 Innate reproductive potential - A

Describe key reproductive characteristics: Refer to Worksheet A.

Sources of information: Ferriter, Amy, ed. 2001. Lygodium management plan for Florida: A report from the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council's Lygodium Task Force. [Orlando, FL]: Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council. 51 p.

Lott, Michael S.; Volin, John C.; Pemberton, Robert W.; Austin, Daniel F. 2003. The reproductive biology of the invasive ferns Lygodium microphyllum and L. japonicum (Schizaeaceae): implications for invasive potential. American Journal of Botany. 90(8): 1144-1152.

Munger, Gregory T. 2005. Lygodium spp. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/ [2011, May 2].

Volin, John C.; Lott, Michael S.; Muss, Jordan D.; Owen, Dianne; Stewart, Joy. 2003. The physiological ecology of the non-indigenous invasive Lygodium microphyllum in South Florida. In: Abstracts--Invasive plants in natural and managed systems: linking science and management: Proceedings, 7th international conference on the ecology and management of alien plant invasions; 2003 November 3-7; Ft. Lauderdale, FL. [Place of publication unknown]: Weed Science Society of America: 92. [Abstract].

Volin, John C.; Lott, Michael S.; Muss, Jordan D.; Owen, Dianne. 2004. Predicting rapid invasion of the Florida Everglades by Old World climbing fern (Lygodium microphyllum). Diversity and Distributions. 10(5-6): 439-446.

Documentation: Other Pub. Mat'l

2.5 Potential for human-caused dispersal - A

Identify dispersal mechanisms: Spores of this fern have been found in straw bales, and the distribution of mulch bales throughout the Southeast and East Texas. Also, spores possibly being spread on logging equipment.

Sources of information: Randall Stocker, R. and K.V. Hupp. 2008. Chapter 6: Fire and Nonnative Invasive Plants in the Southeast Bioregion. USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-42-vol. 6.

Zeller, M. and D. Leslie. 2004. Japanese Climbing Fern Control Trials In Planted Pine. Wildland Weeds Summer 2004.

Personal Communications: Vanessa Adams, Biologist, Texas Parks and Wildlife – Caddo Lake Wildlife Management Area.

Documentation: Other Pub. Mat'l

2.6 Potential for natural long-distance dispersal - A

Identify dispersal mechanisms: Spores can travel great distances, and in heavily infested area can create a rust colored haze. Long-distance dispersal of ferns is thought to rely on successful intragametophytic selfing, and this is shown to be present in L. japonicum.

Sources of information: Lott, M.S., J.C. Volin, R.W. Pemberton, D.F. Austin. 2003. The reproductive biology of the invasive ferns Lygodium microphyllum and L. japonicum (Schizaeaceae): implications for invasive potential. American Journal of Botonay 90:1144-1152

Van Loan, A.N. 2006. Japanese Climbing Fern: The Insidious “Other” Lygodium. Wildland Weeds Spring 2006.

Documentation: Rev'd Sci. Pub'n

2.7 Other regions invaded - A

Identify other regions: Ecoregions similar to 34a, 34b, 34c, 32a, 32b, 32c, 33b, 33c, and 33f in Florida and Louisiana have been invaded and not yet recorded in Texas (refer to TX Ecoregion map below)

Sources of information: Personal Communications: Joe Pase, Regional Forest Health Coordinator East Texas Region, Texas Forest Service.

Documentation: Observational

INVASIVENESS: A A U A A A A = A

DISTRIBUTION

3.1 Ecological amplitude - A

Describe ecological amplitude, identifying date of source information and approximate date of introduction to the state, if known: Refer to Worksheet B

Sources of information: Invaders of Texas Citizen Science Program: http://texasinvasives.org/observations/mapping.php?search=Go&species=LYJA

Personal Communications: Joe Pase, Regional Forest Health Coordinator East Texas Region, Texas Forest Service.

The Texas Forest Service. 2011. Counties With Known Infestations of Japanese Climbing Fern in East Texas (Accessed 2 May 2011: http://texasinvasives.org/resources/publications/Japanese_Climbing_Fern_April2011.pdf).

Documentation: Other Pub. Mat'l

3.2 Distribution/Peak frequency - A

Identify type of impact or alteration: Refer to Worksheet B

Sources of information: Invaders of Texas Citizen Science Program: http://texasinvasives.org/observations/mapping.php?search=Go&species=LYJA

Personal Communications: Joe Pase, Regional Forest Health Coordinator East Texas Region, Texas Forest Service.

The Texas Forest Service. 2011. Counties With Known Infestations of Japanese Climbing Fern in East Texas (Accessed 2 May 2011: http://texasinvasives.org/resources/publications/Japanese_Climbing_Fern_April2011.pdf).

Documentation: Other Pub. Mat'l

IMPACT: A A = A

TEXAS ECOREGIONS

Source: Level III and IV Ecoregions of Texas. Griffith, G.E., Bryce, S.A., Omernik, J.M., Comstock, J.A., Rogers, A.C., Harrison, B., Hatch, S.L., and Bezanson, D., 2004, Ecoregions of Texas, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Corvallis, OR.

Score: A. means >50% of type occurrences are invaded; B means >20% to 50%; C. means >5% to 20%; D. means present but ≤5%; U. means unknown.

Code	Level III	Level IV	Score
ER01	Arizona/New Mexico Mountains	Chihuahuan Desert Slopes
		Montane Woodlands
ER02	Chihuahuan Deserts	Chihuahuan Basins and Playas
		Chihuahuan Desert Grasslands
		Low Mountains and Bajadas
		Chihuahuan Montane Woodlands
		Stockton Plateau
ER03	High Plains	Rolling Sand Plains
		Canadian/Cimarron High Plains
		Llano Estacado
		Shinnery Sands
		Arid Llano Estacado
ER04	Southwestern Tablelands	Canadian/Cimarron Breaks
		Flat Tablelands and Valleys
		Caprock Canyons, Badlands, and Breaks
		Semiarid Canadian Breaks
ER05	Central Great Plains	Red Prairie
		Broken Red Plains
		Limestone Plains
ER06	Cross Timbers	Eastern Crosstimbers
		Western Crosstimbers
		Grand Prairie
		Limestone Cut Plain
		Carbonate Cross Timbers
ER07	Edwards Plateau	Edwards Plateau Woodland
		Llano Uplift
		Balcones Canyonlands
		Semiarid Edwards Plateau
ER08	Southern Texas Plains	Northern Nueces Alluvial Plains
		Semiarid Edwards Bajadas
		Texas-Tamaulipan Thornscrub
		Rio Grande Floodplain and Terraces
ER09	Texas Blackland Prairies	Northern Blackland Prairies
		Southern Blackland/Fayette Prairie
		Floodplains and Low Terraces
ER10	East Central Texas Plains	Northern Post Oak Savanna
		Southern Post Oak Savanna	C
		San Antonio Prairie
		Northern Prairie Outliers
		Bastrop Lost Pines
		Floodplains and Low Terraces	C
ER11	Western Gulf Coastal Plain	Northern Humid Gulf Coastal Prairies	C
		Southern Subhumid Gulf Coastal Prairies
		Floodplains and Low Terraces	C
		Coastal Sand Plain
		Lower Rio Grande Valley
		Lower Rio Grande Alluvial Floodplain
		Texas-Louisiana Coastal Marshes
		Mid-Coast Barrier Islands and Coastal Marshes	B
		Laguna Madre Barrier Islands and Coastal Marshes
ER12	South Central Plains	Tertiary Uplands	A
		Floodplains and Low Terraces	A
		Pleistocene Fluvial Terraces
		Southern Tertiary Uplands	A
		Flatwoods	A
		Red River Bottomland

EVALUATORS

Evaluation Date: 2011-05-02

Evaluator 1
Travis Gallo, Ecologist
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
512-232-0116
tgallo@wildflower.org
4801 La Crosse Ave., Austin, TX 78739

Evaluator 2
Jed Aplaca/Superintendent
Houston Parks and Recreation Department
713-222-5052, 281-460-2586
jed.aplaca@houstontx.gov
115 Sabine st., Houston, TX 77007

REVIEW

Reviewers: Damon Waitt, John Karges
Review Date: 2012-02-24
Comments:

Assessment is thorough and complete. Recommend listing JCF on the TDAnoxious and invasive plant list (Waitt). Originally assessed for the City of Austin Invasive Management Plan. The Texas Invasive Plant and Pest Council (TIPPC) is proposing to the Texas Invasive Species Coordinating Committee to add Melia azedarch to the Texas Department of Agriculture Noxious and Invasive Plant List (Texas Administrative Code: Title 4, Part 1, Chapter 19, Subchapter T, Rule: 19.300). The original Weed Risk Assessment (June 2011) is a supporting document; therefore, TIPPC conducted a secondary evaluation to ensure data accuracy (September 2012). Listed in 2012.

REFERENCES