Round Island Weed Management Plan 2003 2008 (extended to 2012)

Melanie Newfield & John Mauremootoo Mauritian Wildlife Foundation September 2003

Updated by Vikash Tatayah September 2007 Summary of Round Island weed management strategy
One of the most important features that make Round Island such a key island for conservation is its lack of major woody weeds. This fact is the basis of the Round Island vegetation restoration strategy. Strict quarantine underpins our weed management strategy The long-term presence on Round Island presents risks and opportunities for weed management e.g. o Risks Large number of trips leading to increased danger of importing weeds o More people walking in different parts of the island leading to spread of weeds o Opportunities possibility of early detection and rapid response leading to eventual eradication of newly arrived weeds o Greater understanding on part of long-term staff of importance of weed management Two potentially serious weed species Spear grass Heteropogon contortus and Triffid weed Chromolaena odorata are present on Round Island at low densities. It is essential that these species are not allowed to spread and hopefully can be eventually eradicated Most weed species present on Round Island are only being managed in areas planted for restoration and around individuals of certain rare plants Heteropogon & Chromolaena are being managed to a zero density target with a view to eventual eradication from the island New weed incursions must be rapidly dealt with according to the procedures established in this document and the actions taken must be recorded in the forms provided for this purpose. Frequently used areas of Round Island must be checked for weed incursions every three months The whole island must be checked for weed incursions every year

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Round Island Weed Management Strategy

The ultimate goal of the Round Island restoration project is the establishment of a largely selfsustaining ecosystem with a minimal influence of alien flora and fauna and the maximum sustainable level of native plant and animal diversity. Weed management is, and will for the foreseeable future continue to be one of the key activities in the realisation of this goal. This document summarises the weed management work carried out on Round Island to date and the procedures that have been established to manage weeds on Round Island from 2003 onwards i.e. the weed strategy for Round Island. This strategy continues to be implemented since 2003, and is still valid over the mandate of the Round Island Management Plan (20082012). The current document is not intended to be the final word on the subject of weed management on Round Island. Clearly circumstances change. For this reason: THIS DOCUMENT SHOULD BE REVIEWED ANNUALLY AND ANY NECESSARY MODIFICATIONS SHOULD BE CARRIED OUT. THIS REVIEW MUST TAKE PLACE WITH KEY STAKEHOLDERS PRINCIPALLY MWF AND NPCS.

Introduction
Round Island
Round Island (Ile Ronde) is a 219 ha island approximately 22km to the 22.5 km north-east of Cap Malheureux on the mainland. The island rises to a height of 280 m. The island is volcanic in origin, steep and now heavily eroded, as a result of rabbit and goat introduction in the early part of the nineteenth century. Apart from the rabbit and goat introduction, no other mammals have been introduced. It is also free of introduced reptiles and woody weeds. Round Island is one of the most important islands for conservation in Mauritius. Despite severe degradation caused by rabbits and goats, the absence of other introduced species means that many species rare or extinct elsewhere still survive on Round Island. The reptile fauna is particularly notable, as is the palm rich forest containing the last known wild individuals of Hyophorbe lagenicaulis and Dictyosperma album var. conjugatum. The conservation importance of Round Island has been well documented (e.g. Merton et al. 1989, Bullock 1986, North and Bullock 1986, North et al. 1994, Bullock et al. 2002). Prior to the goat and rabbit eradications in the 1970s and 1980s, the island was infrequently visited. From 1986 onwards there were expeditions usually 3 or 4 times per year until March 2002 when a permanent field base was established on the island (Mauremootoo and Cranwell 2003). Round Island is designated as a Nature Reserve under the Forests and Reserves Act 1983. The island is managed jointly by the National Parks and Conservation Service of the Ministry of Agriculture (NPCS) and the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation (MWF).

Why a Weed Strategy for Round Island?

This strategy is being written for the following reasons: The need for a single summary document of weed management information for Round Island. Currently much of the information is found in reports, which are not easily accessible. (Many staff only work on the island for short periods of time so need an easily accessible document such as this.) A great deal of the information on weed management on Round Island is not written down. As long as particular key individuals keep working for the restoration of Round Island this is tolerable but it is not always possible to predict when people will move on. This document allows us to assess the gaps in current weed management practices and to detail the measures required to fill these gaps.

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The introduction of a new weed has the potential to cause major problems for the restoration of Round Island and procedures are needed to ensure that the risk of new weed introductions are minimized.

Part I. Vegetation history and weed management on Round Island 1986-2002

1.1 Introduction
Much of the information in this section is summarized from a series of Round Island reports. Reference to these reports is given in a numbered bibliography. This bibliography contains details of any missing sections in the reports. Copies of all referenced reports are kept in the office of the MWF Conservation Manager and in the Round Island field station.

1.2

Vegetation history prior to active management

Little is known about the vegetation of Round Island prior to rabbit and goat introduction (Strahm 1994). Some areas were probably always bare and open as they are today, but much of the island was probably covered in palm-rich forest (that is grassland with scattered palm and Pandanus trees). It is also believed that there was a belt of hardwood forest near the summit, containing species such as three species of ebony (Diospyros species), benjoin (Terminalia bentzoe subsp. bentze), bois clou (Eugenia lucida), bois de ronde (Erythroxylum sideroxyloides) Fernelia buxifolia and Gagnebina pterocarpa (RI 4 and Strahm 1994). Round Island suffered severe degradation as a result of rabbits and goats, which were introduced in the first half of the 19th century (Strahm 1994). Most of the plant species that originally occurred on the island were wiped out, and many of those remaining were reduced to just a few individuals. This resulted in massive erosion, and much of the soil of Round Island was washed away.

1.3

Initiation of weed management

Goat eradication was completed in 1979 and rabbit eradication in 1986. During the final period of the rabbit eradication Wendy Strahm visited the island and with help from members of the rabbit eradication team began work on weeding Desmanthus virgatus, which had first been recorded on Round Island in 1982 (RI 4). At this time it was hoped that Desmanthus could be eradicated from Round Island. 1.3.1 1986-1996 attempted eradication of Desmanthus virgatus and Desmodium incanum Desmanthus is a fast-growing woody legume, capable of reaching 3 metres in height. Since Round Island was largely free of woody weeds in 1986, it was believed that the establishment of Desmanthus could have a serious impact on native species recovery. Desmodium incanum was first found on Round Island in 1987 (RI 6). It is a twining legume, although seldom woody, and it was also considered to be a serious threat to native plant recovery. From 1986 until 1989 there were about five weeding trips where either or both Desmanthus and Desmodium were weeded (Table 1). Both the effort expended on weeding and the detail in the reports varies considerably. However, it was recognised that this level of control wasnt enough to get either species under control (RI 11). It was recommended that quarterly weeding trips of 5 days were undertaken in order to get both these weeds under control. From May 1990 until 1994 there were 15 weeding trips and good records were kept about the areas weeded, the time spent weeding and the number of plants found (Table 1). A particularly important point from these results is that seeding plants of Desmanthus were found on every trip, even when the aim of quarterly visits was achieved in 1992 and 1993 (Table 1). When time permitted on these trips, each site was searched for weeds not once but twice. The second search of the site usually found about 10% of the number of plants found on the first search (RI 16), making this follow-up search very worthwhile.

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By 1994 doubts were being expressed about whether the weeding of these species was having any impact (RI 30). Not only was the number of plants generally increasing, but there were new patches being found every year. There was also concern that other newly arrived weeds may be worse, in particular herbe sergent (Achyranthes aspera), first recorded in 1992. During this period a number of other weeds were also record for the first time, including the grasses Cenchrus echinatus (1987, RI 6), Dactyloctenium ctenoides (1991 RI 17) and Heteropogon contortus (1994 RI 29) and the composite Tridax procumbens (1991, RI 18). During the period from 1994-1996 the weeding of Desmanthus and Desmodium was sporadic, and while there were a few attempts to control herbe sergent, it was quickly recognised that this weed was already well beyond control. Heteropogon was also weeded on some visits, but not consistently. Table 1. Desmanthus and Desmodium weeding 1986-1996 Trip date Jul 1986 May/ Jun 1987 Nov 1987 Jul 1988 Aug 1989 May 1990 Sep 1990 Jan 1991 May 1991 Sep 1991 Jan 1992 Apr 1992 Jul 1992 Dec 1992 Feb 1993 May 1993 Sep 1993 Dec 1993 Mar 1994 Sep 1994 Jul 1995 Dec 1995 Feb 1996 Apr 1996 Hours weeding Desmanthus Not stated Not stated Not done 80 102 80 90 c.90 121.5 110 122 122 92 136 108 102 375 17 83 Not stated Not stated Not stated Not stated Not stated Number Desmanthus removed (fruiting) Too many to count Too many to count Too many to count Too many to count Too many to count Too many to count (40) 1332 (58) Too many to count (90) 1099 (66) Too many to count (361) Too many to count (131) 375 (12) Too many to count (49) 1105 (17) 17333 (79) 3285 (124) 117 (40) 7929 (74) 1647 (707) Not stated 2595 (1384) 2264 (582) 961 (414) Hours weeding Desmodium Not found Not stated Not stated c.6 11 7.5 7.5 1 Not stated Not stated 11.5 10 22 13 20 52.5 98 8 28 Not stated Not stated Not stated Not weeded Not weeded Number Desmodium removed (fruiting) Not stated large bag Not stated Not stated Not stated Not stated 22 (0) 407 (1) >154 (some) Not stated Not stated >110 (>10) Not stated 90 (2) 8900 (estimate) Too many to count 528 (201) Not stated 526 (not stated) Not stated Not stated -

1.3.2 Restoration weeding and herbicide trials In 1996 efforts to contain or eradicate any weed species on Round Island were abandoned, with the exception of Heteropogon contortus (which has been weeded at least sometimes every year until the present and from the 3 known sites in 2003, is now known from 8 sites. Instead efforts were concentrated on plant restoration sites (PRS) where seeds or seedlings of native plants were being planted as part of the first phase of revegetating Round Island.

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Until December 1995 all weed control on Round Island had been manual, as it was considered that the island was too fragile to use herbicide (see RI 38). During 1995 it was decided that herbe sergent should be sprayed as well as Cenchrus and Heteropogon. In the end herbe sergent was never sprayed, and the few attempts at control were all manual. A small trial on spraying Cenchrus with Fusilade (a grass-specific herbicide) was set up in 1996, however this appeared to only be two 4x4m plots (one sprayed and one not sprayed) as well as a few unspecified areas. Detailed results and location details were never given, except to say results were encouraging. The weeding of Heteropogon continued and a variety of methods were used. Hand removal was still done, but spraying with 1% Fusilade and mulching with black plastic was also tried (Oct 2000 report). Plastic mulching seemed to be a promising method, but it has not been used in recent years (possibly because plastic didnt last long under the harsh conditions, which caused problems when trips were infrequent), and by 2002 most Heteropogon weeding was again manual. Although in 1999 two new patches of Heteropogon were found, in general the control efforts have had the desired effect of containing it, although eradication is some time away. Fewer new weeds were reported in this period, but in October 2000 Chromolaena odorata was found for the first time on the island. At the time 68 adult plants and 7 seedlings were uprooted (after flower heads were bagged and removed). Removal of Chromolaena continues, and is reported monthly. 1.3.3 Review of past weed management. It is worth considering past weed management efforts, particularly the attempted eradication of Desmanthus and Desmodium to see what lessons they can offer for our future weed management on Round Island. It is important to look at why the attempted control failed so that in future eradication attempts the same mistakes are not repeated. In the case of both species, the primary problem with the management undertaken was that they were simply not weeded often enough. Even when there were four trips a year, seeding plants were still found on every visit. At the time when eradication was being attempted the island was simply not accessible enough. It is an essential requirement for plant eradication that all plants are removed before they can set seed, and both Desmanthus and Desmodium appeared to be able to reach seeding size in less than three months. Another possibility is that young plants were difficult to find, and that those missed on one trip had reached seeding size by the time of the next weeding trip. Another consideration was that that control was not initiated soon enough after the plants were found. Desmanthus had been present on Round Island for four years before the first control was undertaken, and about 7 years before consistent control was done. Desmodium was first weeded as soon as it was detected, but again, regular weeding didnt happen until it had been established for about three years. A third factor that may have contributed to the failure to eradicate Desmanthus and Desmodium may be the presence of a long-lived seedbank, as both species are legumes. However this was probably of minimal importance as both these species were producing seed right throughout the period of attempted eradication. What all these points suggest is that the failure to eradicate newly established weeds (Desmanthus and Desmodium as well as others such as Achyranthes and Tridax) on Round Island was largely due to the islands isolation and inaccessibility. Round Island now has a permanently occupied field base and there are trips on and off the island at least once a fortnight. Therefore the failure to revisit weed sites before the plants can seed should not happen for future control efforts. Although on the island today neither of these weeds has become as serious a problem as it was thought they might, the decision to attempt eradication was still correct. It is difficult to predict exactly what impact a new weed will have on a system as unique, and as degraded, as Round Island, and any new arrival should be treated as a serious problem (see eradication section). One particularly interesting finding of the Desmanthus and Desmodium eradication attempt was that if sites that had been weeded were revisited, more plants were usually found (often 10% of

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the original total). This was even with experienced searchers. This is a useful lesson and should be considered during any further weed eradication programmes. 1.3.4 Permanent quadrats In 1975 a series of permanent quadrats were set up on Round Island (North and Bullock 1986), and these have been monitored over the last 28 years. The results from this monitoring are reported in detail elsewhere (Bullock et al. 2002), but it is worth considering some of the findings from this monitoring here. In particular, the monitoring shows how dramatically the dominant weeds have changed within the last 20 years. Today the dominant introduced species on Round Island are the grasses Cenchrus echinatus, Dactyloctenium ctenoides and Chloris barbata, as well as Tridax procumbens and Achyranthes aspera (see Appendix 1). Two species of Boerhavia are also abundant and one is native (B. coccinea) whilst the other, B. diffusa is introduced. A further nine species are common, including Desmanthus and Desmodium, and the long established Passiflora suberosa. At the time of the initial setup of these quadrats (1975), Chloris and Boerhavia were the only species in this dominant group to have been recorded on the island (RI 1). In 1996 Cenchrus and Achyranthes were found frequently in the quadrats (RI 44), but it is only in the last five years that Dactyloctenium and Tridax have become abundant. This indicates how unstable the Round Island ecosystem is and how rapidly it can change. Minute a mile, Mikania micrantha, was discovered in 2006 1.3.5 Current weed management practice Weed management practice on Round Island is currently focused on keeping Heteropogon and Chromolaena under control, as well as weed control around new plantings to allow the young plants to establish. ALTHOUGH NEITHER HETEROPOGON NOR CHROMOLAENA HAVE YET ESCAPED CONTROL, WITHOUT CONSTANT MANAGEMENT THEY ARE LIKELY TO DO SO. In the past, control of these weeds has occurred only when certain personnel who know the sites visit the island. There is now a regular schedule for revisiting, Heteropogon, Chromolaena, Sporobolus and Mikania sites, and preventing their expansion. It has long been recognised that the suite of weeds present on Round Island are unlikely to have a major impact on woody plant regeneration, and it may be assumed that getting woody native plants established would therefore be a good way to manage weeds in the long term. While this is partly true, a good part of the original native vegetation of Round Island was not comprised of woody plants at all. Palm-rich woodland is a mixed grassland and woody plant community, and the native species that once comprised the grass component of the savannah are all in decline on the island, some seriously so. The hardwood forest once found on the island was also probably fairly open. It is also possible that some herbaceous plants inhibit the regeneration of native woody species, a question that needs to be investigated to give us an insight into future restoration possibilities for Round Island. There are a number of very small plants that are probably also affected by competition with weeds, including Sida pusilla, Aerva congesta, Cyperus rubicundus, Fimbristylis cymosa and Phyllanthus revaughanii. While most of these species have secure populations elsewhere, Phyllanthus revaughanii and Aerva congesta are Critically Endangered (Sensu IUCN 2001).

2 Part II. Weed Management Strategy 2003-2008

2.1 Introduction
This section outlines the details of the elements that comprise the Round Island weed management strategy 2003-2008 (to be continued until 2012, when it will be fundamentally reviewed). This strategy will be re-evaluated as work progresses and a thorough review and

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revision of the strategy will be undertaken annually. The Round Island weed management workplan for the year from September 2003 is included in this document as Appendix 2. This section outlines the details of the elements that comprise the Round Island weed management strategy 2003-2008, which are largely valid for the Round Island Management Plan 2008-2012. This strategy will be re-evaluated as work progresses and a thorough review and revision of the strategy will be undertaken annually. An annual weed management workplan will be produced, agreed upon at the review and appended to the (modified) weed management strategy plan.

2.2

Control targets for individual weeds.

As part of this strategy, all exotic species known from Round Island have been given a control target indicating how that species will need to be managed in the long term. The species and control targets are listed in Appendix 1. A summary of the terms used for control targets is given in Table 2 and each category is discussed in detail below. Table 2. Summary of control targets for individual alien species on Round Island from 2003. Control target Explanation Eradication The species has not been found on the island for more than five years despite extensive searching and the seedbank is not persistent. Zero density There are no adult plants capable of spreading, but because of resprouts or seedbank, eradication is unlikely to be possible within 10 years. Control in priority The species is probably having a significant impact on some native Round areas Island species but there are no options available for large-scale control. Therefore control is confined to small priority areas around threatened plant populations. No long-term The long-term aim is that control of these species is mostly unnecessary control because the species has only a minor impact on the ecosystem. These species may need control around new plantings however, particularly of rare plants. 2.2.1 Eradication Eradication is defined as the permanent removal of all individuals of a species from an area, with minimal possibility of reinvasion. It has a definite endpoint; once a species is eradicated no more control is needed, therefore it is viewed as the ultimate goal in any pest control programme. Eradication is difficult, and has seldom been achieved except with certain mammalian pests, or on a very small scale1. It is however a worthwhile objective for any new weeds that arrive on Round Island, as well as Chromolaena and possibly Heteropogon, and it can be achieved if the intensity of work is maintained. It is particularly important to keep searching long after the last individuals have been removed. The length of time from when the last plant individual is found and killed to when eradication can be considered complete is unknown. In the absence of species-specific information we are estimating it to be about five years of regular searching for plants that do not have a long-lived seedbank. Plants with seeds able to survive more than five years probably cannot be considered eradicated unless decades have passed. 2.2.2 Zero density These are weeds species where there are no adult individuals capable of spreading, but because of the seedbank, eradication is unlikely to be possible within 10 years. These species should be controlled in a similar manner to those targeted for eradication in order to achieve a target of zero density. Zero density is commonly used in mainland reserves or inshore islands where there is continual reinvasion, but with the isolation of Round Island it is not likely to be used very much. The one species which may have a target of zero density is Heteropogon, but only if eradication proves unfeasible. 2.2.3 Control in priority areas This is sustained and intensive control where weeds are having an impact on endangered plants. For very small species such as Phyllanthus revaughanii there is probably no option but to carefully handweed around plants on a regular basis. This will be very time-consuming, so areas for control should be carefully selected based on the threat to the endangered plants. The

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main species for control in priority areas are exotic grasses, Achyranthes and possibly Boerhavia. 2.2.4 No long-term control The long-term aim is that control of these species is mostly unnecessary because the species has only a minor impact on the ecosystem. This category includes species such as cherry tomato and Conyza, which are sometimes abundant but are unlikely to affect woody plant survival. These species may need control around new plantings however, particularly of rare plants. PREVENTION, DETECTION AND ERADICATION OF NEW WEEDS IS A TOP PRIORITY Although Round Island has been seriously degraded, its isolation has meant that there are many fewer pests and weeds present than on the mainland and other offshore islands. Had weeds such as false acacia (Leucaena leucocephala), prune malgache (Flacourtia indica) and Asparagus setaceus arrived, the restoration of Round Island would be a good deal more difficult than it already is. Round Island is more accessible now than it ever has been. This means that risk of new weeds being introduced is also higher. It is imperative that all visitors to the island follow the quarantine procedure as detailed in the document Visiting Round Island (MWF 2007). Quarantine for all species is outlined in the above document and it not covered in detail here. However one point that should be considered is the helicopter takeoff point at Petit Raffray. This area is surrounded by weeds and there is a significant risk that weed seeds could be transported from there to Round Island, either as a result of baggage sitting on ground with weed seeds on it, or as a result of seeds flying around in the downdrafts created by the helicopter. This situation needs to be urgently addressed if new and serious weed species are not to be introduced to Round Island. 2.2.5 Detection of new weeds Effective quarantine will dramatically reduce the risk of new weeds being introduced, but it still possible that a new weed will arrive on the island. If this happens, it is still possible to eradicate them, but only if the weeds can be detected before they become too widespread. Although the increased accessibility of Round Island is a disadvantage in terms of the risk of new introductions, it is a real advantage in terms of detection and eradication. The problems encountered during the attempted eradication of Desmanthus and Desmodium are no longer a factor. There is now no excuse for new weeds to establish and escape beyond control on Round Island. The following surveillance procedure concentrates on the most likely areas to find new weeds and should be carried out every 3 months. A wider search of the island needs to be carried out every year. Areas to be searched every three months: Area around the house, toilet and washing line Nursery gully (throughout) Helipad Main tracks and routes used (e.g. to landing rock) Areas planted within the last year Areas where there has been any construction in the last year (e.g. water tanks, plant shelters) This work needs to be done by someone who is familiar with the plants growing on the island and is able to recognise if something is new. 2.2.6 Eradication of new weeds The eradication procedure for new weeds in Round Island is as follows: Newly discovered plants on Round Island should not be removed until the identification has been confirmed, in case they are actually a native plant. It is however essential that they are

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prevented from seeding if it seems likely that it is a weed. The sighting should be recorded on the Round Island weed sighting form. Once a plant has been confirmed as a new weed, control should be as is stated below and should be recorded on the Round Island weed eradication form. 1. Mark the site so that it can be easily relocated, and record the exact location using GPS. 2. Thoroughly search the area around the site to determine that there is no more of the weed anywhere nearby (check within a 10m radius). 3. If it is possible to uproot the whole plant, then do so. Place in a plastic bag, seal up the bag and dispose of the plant off the island. 4. If it is not possible to uproot the plant, cut at ground level and apply herbicide (50% glyphosatea in water) to the cut stump immediately. Bag and remove cut material from the island. 5. If there is too much material to bag and remove, place the cut material in an exposed rock (NOT Soil) area to desiccate. Weigh down the cut material with rock so it does not blow away. However, if there are any flowers or seeds, even immature ones, these should be bagged and removed from the island. 6. Revisit the site within one week of the initial control to look for plants that may have been missed during the initial search. These control techniques should be suitable for most weeds. If the control methods listed here are not suitable (for example plants with bulbs or tubers), check with the MWF Islets Restoration Manager and Conservation Manager. The site should be visited after two months (one month for a grass or herbaceous species), and if the plant is alive it should be controlled again. If it is regrowing from a cut stump it may be better to spray the foliage (with 2% Glyphosate in water) as there wont be enough stump to retreat. The site should be revisited every one-three months until the plant is definitely dead. If there was definitely no seed produced and the plant has no major vegetative reproduction, then eradication can be presumed one year after the plant was last seen alive. If the plant freely produces suckers from the stems or roots, or was allowed to set seed, then the eradication procedure in Fig 1. should be followed.

Glyphosate is a non-specific rapidly degrading herbicide that is not root-absorbed nor translocated in the soil.

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Figure 1. Weed eradication flowchart. Search entire island (need to be aware of how far away the weed can be seen from)

Record all sites and mark on site if possibly difficult to relocate

Control all known plants

Revisit all sites after an appropriate interval depending on the biology of the plant

Plant found

Plant not found

Revisit at appropriate intervals for 3 years

Plant found

Plant not found

Search whole area again

Plant found

Plant not found

Revisit annually for 2 years

Plant found

Plant not found

ERADICATION PRESUMED

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Following every site visit the site should be visited again within 1 week to look for plants that may have been missed on the first visit. This is particularly critical for difficult to detect species such as grasses. Note that in Fig 1 the return time to any particular weed is not specified as it is dependent on the biology of the plant. For any new weed the return time should be decided on in consultation with the MWF Islet Plant Restoration Manager and the Conservation Manager. 2.2.7 Management of Chromolaena and Heteropogon For both of these weeds the eradication procedure outlined above needs to be followed. Specific details for control are given below.

Of all the weeds found on Round Island, Chromolaena is globally considered the most serious by far (it is a major problem throughout tropical and subtropical regions). While it is difficult to predict what impact it could have if established on Round Island, it is almost certain to be worse than any other weed present on the island today.
THE CHROMOLAENA SITE NEEDS TO BE CLEARLY MARKED AND SHOULD ONLY BE WALKED ON WHEN SEARCHING FOR THE PLANT The Chromolaena site should be revisited every three months, as the plant is not able to grow to seeding size in less time than this. Wider searches of the site should be made when shearwaters (fouquets) are not nesting, as much of the area around the site contains shearwater burrows. All plants found should be uprooted, bagged and removed from the island. Heteropogon could also cause serious problems, as it is one of few exotic grasses that it able to continue growing during the dry season. It can also create a serious fire risk, and for these two reasons it is also regarded as a serious potential weed. All Heteropogon sites were inspected in September 2002, and at all sites plants were found that were flowering and fruiting. Since control was last done in July of that year, this suggests that Heteropogon can reach seeding size in less than three months. It is also possible that plants (particularly small ones) were missed, and it is these that were seeding, but a number of the seeding plants were very small and may well have been less than 3 months old. For this reason, Heteropogon sites should be visited monthly (and each monthly visit should have a follow-up visit within 1 week). All Heteropogon sites should be covered with HEAVY GRADE black plastic if possible. Areas of black plastic must be renewed when they show any signs of degradation. The plastic should be placed over the whole infestation site including a buffer area, of as far as possible at least one metre around the infestation. The area immediately around the black plastic must be searched thoroughly for Heteropogon plants. Should additional plants be found: The site should be thoroughly searched and all plants found uprooted by hand, bagged and removed from the island If it is not possible to cover an infestation area with black plastic the site must be clearly marked and all new staff must be instructed to not enter the infestation area unless searching for the plant. The vegetation needs to be controlled if Heteropogon plants are to be detected before they reach seeding size. During the dry season the site should be thoroughly searched and all plants found uprooted by hand, bagged and removed from the island During the wet season, and when other vegetation makes if impossible to locate Heteropogon seedlings, the site should be sprayed with 2% glyphosate If the spraying

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has cleared enough vegetation to easily see Heteropogon seedlings, these can be removed by hand as an alternative to spraying 2.2.8 Impact of introduced grasses and other herbaceous weeds on Round Island Introduced grass species, particularly Cenchrus, Dactyloctenium and Chloris barbata are probably the worst weeds present on Round Island today (with the exception of Achyranthes which is probably similarly pernicious). In a place such as Ile aux Aigrettes, where forest with a closed canopy is the objective, these species are only a minor problem as they will be shaded out once a good canopy is established. However, this is not the case on Round Island, where closed canopy forest will probably only be a small component of the restored ecosystem. Management of exotic grass species is likely to be a long-term issue on Round Island. Exotic grasses probably affect native species on Round Island in two ways: 1. Direct competition. The main species affected are native grasses and other herbaceous species such as Vetiveria arguta, Phyllanthus revaughanii, Aerva congesta, Stenotaphrum micranthum and Chloris filiformis. 2. Increasing erosion (Strahm 1994). During the dry season, all the native grasses stay green (or most do anyway), while the three main exotic grasses die off. During the wet season, however, the exotic species grow faster and out-compete native groundcover species with the possible exception of the creepers). This means that during the dry season there is less groundcover than there would be without the exotic grasses and the ground is more vulnerable to erosion. 2.2.9 Exotic grass and widespread herbaceous weed management on Round Island. There is no satisfactory solution to exotic grass and management on Round Island in the short to medium term. Most vegetated areas will continue to be dominated by exotic grasses. The following measures are recommended as small-scale and short- term solutions to this problem. Identify areas where native herbaceous species are doing well and try to maintain these conditions. Areas such as the big helipad, sometimes also referred to as the wasteland, actually support good populations of native plant species (such as Cymbopogon, Stenotaphrum, Fimbristylis, Sida pusilla and Aerva). These areas should not be included in woody plant restoration programmes and could have some weeding done if it was considered necessary. Control exotic grasses (and other weeds) on a small scale where threatened plants are located. Maintenance of populations of declining herbaceous species in cultivation and in weeded areas. Measures to conserve individual threatened species on Round Island are detailed in the Round Island Plant Restoration Plan. 2.2.10 The role of giant Aldabran tortoises in restoration on Round Island The management of exotic grasses in open ecosystems is a problem around the world. In continental ecosystems a combination of grazing and fire is often used with some success. However, in these cases there are extant grazing species and fire is an integral part of ecosystem function. For oceanic islands, where grazers are endangered or extinct and fire was never common, there are so far no satisfactory answers. One or both of species of giant tortoise that disappeared from Mauritius in the eighteenth Century would once have been the dominant herbivores on Round Island. It is hypothesized that the loss of such keystone grazers might increase the competitiveness of weeds relative to native plants that will have evolved to withstand intense tortoise herbivory. The closest living taxonomic analogue to the extinct Mauritian species is the giant Aldabran tortoise Geochelone gigantea (Arnold 1979). It has been proposed that this species may be used as an analogue for the extinct Mauritian species, and play an important role in restoring ecosystem function. Investigations into the use of the giant Aldabran tortoise as an analogue species are currently being conducted on Ile aux Aigrettes (Zavaleta et al. 2001). If these results are encouraging, tortoises could also be introduced to Round Island (in a strictly controlled manner). Potentially they could be more important to the ecosystems on Round Island than they are to Ile aux Aigrettes. Aldabra Giant Tortoises and Madagascar Radiated Tortoises have been introduced as analogues in July 2007, as part of a PhD study, in a large part to investigate the above.

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References
Arnold, E.N. (1979) Indian Ocean giant tortoises: their systematics and island adaptations. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London Series B- Biological Sciences, 286, 127-145. Bullock, D.J. (1986) The ecology and conservation of reptiles on Round Island and Gunner's Quoin, Mauritius. Biological Conservation, 37, 135-136. Bullock, D.J., North, S., Dulloo, M.E., & Thorsen, M. (2002). The impact of rabbit and goat eradication on the ecology of Round Island, Mauritius. In Turning the tide: the eradication of invasive species (eds C.R. Veitch & M.N. Clout), pp. 53-63. Invasive Species Specialist Group, of the World Conservation Union (IUCN), Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK. Dulloo, M.E., Bullock, D.J., & North, S. (1996a) Report of the expedition to Round Island and Gunner's Quoin, Mauritius. IUCN (2001) IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria Version 3.1 IUCN - The World Conservation Union, Gland, Switzerland. Mauremootoo, J.R. & Cranwell, S. (2003). Restoration of Round Island - Mid Term Review. Mauritian Wildlife Foundation unpublished report to the World Bank Global Environment Facility, Vacoas, Mauritius. Merton, D.V., Atkinson, I.A.E., Strahm, W., Jones, C.G., Empson, R.A., Mungroo, Y., Dulloo, M.E., & Lewis, R. (1989) A management plan for the restoration of Round Island, Mauritius. North, S.G. & Bullock, D.J. (1986) Changes in the vegetation and populations of introduced mammals of Round Island and Gunner's Quoin, Mauritius. Biological Conservation, 37, 99-117. North, S.G., Bullock, D.J., & Dulloo, M.E. (1994) Changes in the vegetation and reptile populations on Round Island, Mauritius, following the eradication of rabbits. Biological Conservation, 67, 21-28. RI 1. Bullock, D.J. & North, S. (1975). Report of the Edinburgh University expedition to Round Island, Mauritius, July and August 1975. RI 4. Strahm, W. (1986). Botanical Report. Round Island 1986. RI 6. Strahm, W. (1987). Botanical Report. Round Island August 1987. RI 11. Strahm, W. (1989). Round Island expedition 1989 - Synopsis of Botanical Report, RI. RI 16. Strahm, W. (1991a). Report on Round Island Weeding Trip 17-22 Jan. RI 17. Strahm, W. (1991b). Report on Round Island Weeding Trip 8-13 May. RI 18. Strahm, W. (1991c). Report on Round Island Weeding Trip 18-26 September. RI 29. Dulloo, M.E., Page, W., Groombridge, J., Wheler, C., Teezoo, V., & Narasiah, P. (1994). Report on Round Island Management Trip 28 March - 4 April. RI 30. Brook, M.D., Griffin, B., Johnston, S., Padaruth, I., Page, W., & Paul, S. (1994). Round Island Management Report. RI 38. Page, W. (1996). Management Suggestions for Round Island. Jan 1996. RI 44. Dulloo, M.E., Bullock, D.J., & North, S. (1996b). Round Island and Gunners Quoin - JulyAugust 96. Strahm, W.A. (1994) The conservation and restoration of the flora of Mauritius and Rodrigues. Dissertation, University of Reading, UK.

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Zavaleta, E.S., Hobbs, R.J., & Mooney, H.A. (2001) Viewing invasive species removal in a whole-ecosystem context. Trends in Ecology and Evolution, 16, 454-459.

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Appendix 1. (cont.). List of introduced species on Round Island, their classification for control (see Table 2) and individual species notes. Control target on Round Notes Island

Latin name

Common name Family

1st record

Seen by MJN Current status Distribution 2002

Control

Tetragonia epinard tetragonioides

Aizoaceae

1982 (RI 4)

zero density

near "picnic tree"

none

eradication

only seen once, may now be eradicated

Achyranthes aspera

herbe sergent Amaranthaceae

Dec 1992 (Strahm thesis)

abundant

usually in areas with a little soil, not generally in rock cracks like some spp

one of worst weeds on the island, probably affects native regeneration and bird nesting and may also contribute to erosion

Amaranthus viridis

brede malabar Amaranthaceae

1986 (Strahm thesis)

locally common

common on summit, uproot and no long-term occasional elsewhere, more leave to control open, disturbed areas dessicate

minor impact

Asimina triloba

Annonaceae

1975 (RI 1)

zero density

one plant reported by the picnic tree in 1975 (RI 1)

unknown eradication

not reported since 1982

Ageratum conyzoides

herbe bouc

Asteraceae

1879 (Strahm thesis)

common

no long-term control

minor impact

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Appendix 1. (cont.). List of introduced species on Round Island, their classification for control (see Table 2) and individual species notes. Bidens pilosa villebague Asteraceae y locally common uproot, bag and remove from island no long-term control minor impact

Chromolaena odorata Crassocephalu m rubens Erigeron (Conyza) herbe gandia canadensis Eupatorium sp

Asteraceae

2000

occasional

one site, marked

eradication

potentially a major weed on the island not seen since

Asteraceae Asteraceae

1990 RI 15 1986 (Strahm thesis) 1991 RI 17

n y common

? never identified, hasn't been reported since 1992 no long-term control not collected since 1978 although may have been seen in 1993

Asteraceae

Gamochaeta purpurea

Asteraceae

1975 (Strahm thesis)

zero density

unknown

unknown

Mikania micrantha

Minute a mile Asteraceae Liane margoze

June 2006 (Round Island Monthly Report) ?1879 (Strahm thesis) ?1879 (Strahm thesis)

Zero density

Above 2006C planting site Active

Eradication

one of worst weeds of the tropics

Sonchus asper lastron piquant Asteraceae Sonchus oleraceus

common

minor impact

Lastron

Asteraceae

occasional

minor impact

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Tridax procumbens

herbe caille

Asteraceae

1991 RI 18

abundant

abundant but probably not having a major impact on native species

Appendix 1. (cont.). List of introduced species on Round Island, their classification for control (see Table 2) and individual species notes. one plant found by "picnic tree" (1982), other near landing rock (1989) probably never seeded on island and may be eradicated. No papaya fruit to be brought to island minor impact usually in more sheltered areas

Carica papaya papaye

Caricaceae

1989 RI 11 (also 1 earlier)

zero density

uproot

eradication

Chenopodium herbe botrice murale Commelina benghalensis Euphorbia prostrata Euphorbia thymifolia Phyllanthus amarus Desmanthus virgatus herbe cochon

Chenopodiacea 1968 (Strahm e thesis) Commelinacea 1975 (Strahm e thesis) Euphorbiaceae 1978 (Strahm thesis) 1889 (Strahm thesis) 1889 (Strahm thesis)

occasional

common

minor impact

y?

occasional

minor impact

petite rougette Euphorbiaceae

y?

occasional

minor impact

Euphorbiaceae

occasional

minor impact

petite cassie

Fabaceae

1982 (RI 3)

common

most vegetated areas of island, see Marion's report

-4-

Desmodium incanum

herbe gallon

Fabaceae

1987 RI 6

common

most vegetated areas of island site not recorded none eradication not recorded since 1986

Pityrogramma calomelanos golden fern var aureoflava

Gymnogramm 1986 (Strahm aceae thesis)

zero density

Appendix 1. (cont.). List of introduced species on Round Island, their classification for control (see Table 2) and individual species notes. Pityrogramma calomelanos Gymnogramm 1975 (Strahm silver fern n zero density site not recorded none eradication var aceae thesis) calomelanos Abutilon indicum Boerhavia diffusa mauve du pays Malvaceae Nyctaginaceae 1975 (Strahm thesis) y y? common most vegetated areas of island

not recorded since 1986

Oxalis corniculata

petite oseille

Oxalidaceae

1992 RI 19

common

one site found, to east of PRS9 D (map drawn and site uproot form done)

no long-term control

Passiflora suberosa

liane poc-poc Passifloraceae

1889 (Strahm thesis)

common

throughout, in areas with decent soil or only a crack in the rock

Brachiaria sp

Poaceaae

1982 (Strahm thesis)

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Cenchrus echinatus

l'herbe cteaux Poaceaae

1987 RI 6

abundant

throughout, in areas with decent soil or only a crack in the rock

one of worst weeds on the island, mostly affecting native grasses, may also contribute to erosion

Appendix 1. (cont.). List of introduced species on Round Island, their classification for control (see Table 2) and individual species notes. throughout, in areas with decent soil or only a crack in the rock one of worst weeds on the island, mostly affecting native grasses, may also contribute to erosion

Chloris barbata

Poaceaae

1937 (Strahm thesis)

abundant

Dactylocteniu m ctenoides

Poaceaae

1991 RI 17

abundant

throughout, in areas with decent soil or only a crack in the rock

one of worst weeds on the island, mostly affecting native grasses, may also contribute to erosion

Digitaria horizontalis var porrantha

Poaceaae

1935 (Strahm thesis)

occasional

often in more open and disturbed areas sites need to be revisited monthly to ensure plants are found before seeding size

Heteropogon herbe sergent Poaceaae contortus Sporobolus capensis Poaceaae

1994 RI 29

occasional

3 known patches, all marked

eradication

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Portulaca oleracea

?1845, definite pourpier, Portulacaceae 1889 (Strahm pourpier rouge thesis)

common

throughout, in areas with decent soil or only a crack in the rock

Lycopersicon pomme esculentum d'amour

Solanaceae

1982 (Strahm thesis)

occasional

usually in more sheltered areas

Appendix 1. (cont.). List of introduced species on Round Island, their classification for control (see Table 2) and individual species notes. Nicotiana tabacum Physalis peruviana Solanum nigrum Withania somnifera tabac Solanaceae 1948 (Strahm thesis) 1975 (Strahm thesis) 1889 (Strahm thesis) 1968 (Strahm thesis) y occasional

poque-poque

Solanaceae

n throughout, although seldom abundant no long term control

brede martin poque-poque sauvage

Solanaceae

common

Solanaceae

occasional

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Appendix 2. The Round Island weed management workplan for the year from September 2003. Tasks listed are specific weed management work and not tasks that have implications for weed management such as quarantine and management of the planted areas Year Month Task 2003 Sep Check Heteropogon sites & weed as necessary Cover Heteropogon sites with heavy grade black plastic Mark clearly and cordon off Chromolaena site Mark clearly and cordon off any Heteropogon sites not covered in black plastic Oct Check Heteropogon sites, weed & cover with black plastic as necessary Weed check around commonly used areas & routes Check Chromolaena site and take any necessary action Nov Check Heteropogon sites, weed & cover with black plastic as necessary Dec Check Heteropogon sites, weed & cover with black plastic as necessary 2004 Jan Check Heteropogon sites, weed & cover with black plastic as necessary Weed check around commonly used areas & routes Check Chromolaena site and take any necessary action Feb Check Heteropogon sites, weed & cover with black plastic as necessary Mar Check Heteropogon sites, weed & cover with black plastic as necessary Apr Check Heteropogon sites, weed & cover with black plastic as necessary Weed check around commonly used areas & routes Check Chromolaena site and take any necessary action May Check Heteropogon sites, weed & cover with black plastic as necessary Jun Check Heteropogon sites, weed & cover with black plastic as necessary Jul Check Heteropogon sites, weed & cover with black plastic as necessary Aug Island-wide weed surveillance Check Heteropogon sites, weed & cover with black plastic as necessary Check Chromolaena site and take any necessary action