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Economic Impacts of Invasive Species on Annette Island Reserve, AK Photo by Mark Dundas Annette Islands Reserve (AIR) is the southernmost community in Alaska and the only Native Reserve in the State of Alaska. The Metlakatla Indian Community (MIC) is the population center and governing body of AIR. There are approximately 1450 people living on this 130 square mile island, some 83,200 acres of land. 12,472 acres have been surveyed for invasive species. To date, we have 339.25 acres of known invasive weeds. This is just under 3 acres, less than previous years, thanks to the efforts of our Metlakatla Landscape and Maintenance crew (MLM), who have removed hundreds of pounds of weeds in the last six years! Photo by Genelle Winter Weeds of Concern Bull Thistle-Cirsium vulgare Canada Thistle-Cirsium arvense Sow Thistle-Sonchus arvensis Himalayan Knotweed-Persicaria wallichii or Polygonum polystachyum Japanese Knotweed-Polygonum cuspidatum Tansy Ragwort-Senecio jacobaea Orange Hawkweed- Hieracium aurantiacum Reed Canary Grass-Phalaris arundinacea Pictured- Himalayan knotweed, pushing back native salmonberry bushes Photo by: Genelle Winter To date, the MLM of MIC has spent over 13,000 combined hours and just under $100,000 each year treating, surveying and performing inventory on invasive plants on AIR. This slide shows locations of Bull Thistle, Cirsium vulgare on Annette Island We expect to maintain a consistent level of funding in the on-going fight to prevent and control invasive species on Annette Islands Reserve. As we observe changes in our climate, our responses to the presence of invasive species must change as well. Tamgas Hatchery, 2011 Photo by Genelle Winter Economic impacts to traditional foods from invasive species cannot be under emphasized and yet is very difficult to put into hard numbers. Local subsistence foods include, but are not limited to both low and high bush cultivars: Blueberry Huckleberry Salmonberry Thimbleberry Example of potential economic factors • A jar of raspberry jam ( comparable to salmonberry preserves) costs- $6.69 for an 18 oz jar • A bag of frozen blueberries costs- $6.29 for a 16oz bag • Our family for example, harvests a minimum of 4 gallons of berries each season. If we had to purchase those fruits it would cost our family over $200.00 for the blueberries alone. Here is an example of Himalayan Knotweed pushing Thimble berry back from where it used to be just a few years ago. These items such as berries in particular, are commonly supplemented by harvesting, freezing or preserving wild berries instead of purchasing them. If these wild berries were to be eradicated by invasive species such as Himalayan Knotweed (Persicaria wallichii or Polygonum polystachyum) or Reed Canary Grass (Phalaris arundinacea)it would cause a financial hardship on many families. Medicinal and Cultural plants Pressure from invasive plants also affects traditionally harvested medicinal and culturally significant plants some examples are: Devils Club (Oplopanax horridus )- used for medicinal tea, salves, poultices and many other uses Yew Wood (Taxus brevifolia )- used for its beautiful, tough, durable wood for a variety of uses as well as tea from the bark thought to be good for cancer and other diseases Labrador Tea (Ledum groenlandicum ) makes a tasty tea full of antioxidants. Photo from alaskastock.com Cedar bark, and maidenhair fern (Adiantum pedatum ) are used for weaving baskets and regalia Photo by Genelle Winter, Mask by Avery Winter Both Red Cedar(Thuja plicata) and Yellow Cedar(Chamaecyparis nootkatensis ) and Alder (Alnus rubra ) are used for carving Baskets on display in Museum of Natural History in New York City Photo by Genelle Winter Alder (Alnus rubra ) is the most versatile for carving, the art of carving is still taught to the youth in Metlakatla, carrying on this art form for future generations. This spoon was made by Avery Winter, 18 years old, a senior at Metlakatla High School Photo by Genelle Winter Alder remains the most common wood to smoke fish with Photo from SalmonMarket.com A can of Pink Salmon at the local store costs- $6.69 A case of 12= $80.28 for pink salmon The average family harvests 10 cases, approximately $802.80 per family. Local families harvest and process their own fish for consumption. Allowing spawning beds to be impacted negatively in any way would cause financial hardship for these families that harvest and process subsistence gathered salmon. Photo by Genelle Winter Other subsistence foods at risk are Dungeness Crab, Shellfish such as butter clams and cockles, seaweed and sea asparagus. A 6 oz can of crab at the market costs $3.59 A 6.5 oz can of clams at the market costs $2.25 These foods are at risk from aquatic invaders like Tunicates and Botryloids, Zebra and Quagga mussels, European Green Crab and Atlantic Salmon invading their feeding grounds, degrading their spawning grounds and changing the ecosystem in ways we still don't know or can’t predict. Photo by Genelle Winter The commercial costs are staggering. • Annually on Annette Island Reserve approximately $2 million flows into the local economy from commercial salmon fishing alone. • Any risk to this sustainable and responsibly managed harvest would be unacceptable. • As a result, we are aggressively researching all we can about the potential threats to these important food and commercial revenue sources. Photo by Genelle Winter One of weeds of great concern is a newly identified Reed Canary Grass (RCG) • • • • Published materials (RCG) growth and seed mechanisms as follows: reproduces by seed or creeping rhizomes. It spreads aggressively. The plant produces leaves and flower stalks for 5 to 7 weeks after germination in early spring, then spreads laterally. Seeds may be dispersed from one wetland to another by waterways, animals, humans, or machines.” Cited from : Invasive Plants of Alaska, produced in cooperation with the US Department of the Interior; the US Department of Agriculture; the Alaska Soils and Water Conservation District; the University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service and the Alaska Natural Heritage Program RCG on the road to Tamgas Creek Fish Hatchery, September 2010, Photo by Genelle Winter Here in SE AK our experience is that RCG starts growing much sooner than in other areas in the State. Due to its aggressive propagation habit this weed is our #1 invader to watch for and to treat outside of the established areas in the city limits. We have surveyed and identified 7 acres to date, but we know there is more that hasn’t been documented yet. We estimate the number is closer to 20 acres. Based on current research most, if not all, invasive plants prefer disturbed areas such as road construction and maintenance sites. A major vector of introduction that we are putting great effort into education and manual prevention is the Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS). Photo by Genelle Winter Our isolated island can only be accessed by vehicle via the AMHS or by Barge. To prevent spread and introduction of weed seed and plant particles we are working with the AMHS to install a vehicle wash system at the vehicle exit on our new, currently weed free Walden Point Road. The goal is to prevent this pristine road from being impacted by serious invaders from other parts of Alaska and British Columbia. Photo by Genelle Winter From British Columbia you might ask? We are the southernmost community in SE AK, but we are only a six hour ferry ride from Prince Rupert BC and a 36 hour ride from Bellingham WA Both those locations have their own invasive species, which we do not want! Installing the vehicle wash system will help prevent species such as Giant Hogweed, Bohemian Knotweed, Scotch Broom and others from becoming established on our island. Map from AMHS website Here is the system set up downtown for our demonstration that was held for the community. It is designed to be Portable we towed it down here with the truck and were all set up within the hour. Here we see a vehicle being driven over the system. It takes between 35-50 seconds to drive a car over the mat. We do not anticipate any slow down in the offloading process from the ferry as cars are already driving slowly as they exit the ramp. Please watch the following short video Our apparently isolated island can potentially be harmed by invasive species from British Columbia, Washington, and the rest of the State of Alaska. We must carefully monitor the entry vectors to the island, the AMHS, the Barge system, commercial fishing vessels and recreational boaters and campers. This applies to all taxa of invasive species, terrestrial, aquatic, mammals, birds or insects! If we are not applying Early Detection and Rapid Response (EDRR) the impacts could become very costly, both economically and environmentally. Photo by Genelle Winter In Conclusion, the costs to our subsistence foods is difficult to quantify but to say the least, it would be a tragic end to a rich cultural heritage that should be preserved and respected. Bog Candle – a fragile native species. Photo by Genelle Winter Photo by Genelle Winter Acknowledgements and Thanks This is presentation is possible due to the support of The Metlakatla Indian Community The Bureau of Indian Affairs, FICMNEW And the people of the community of Metlakatla, Alaska. Reference material was taken from Invasive Plants of Alaska, produced in cooperation with the U.S. Department of the Interior; the U.S. Department of Agriculture; the Alaska Soils and Water Conservation District; the University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service and the Alaska Natural Heritage Program Unless otherwise noted photos were taken by Mark Dundas of the MLM. Thanks also to the Landscape Crew and all our willing volunteers! Photo by Genelle Winter