Conservation
Invasive Species Control
The Texas Gulf coast is host to several exotic species that you may be familiar with, some of the most notorious and invasive of these being fire ants, grass carp, nutria, hydrilla, water hyacinth, and Chinese tallow trees. A more recent invader that has the potential to be as damaging as Chinese tallow is Brazilian peppertree, which was discovered not too long ago on Galveston Island.
Grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella)
In April 2002, GBF compiled and published a literature survey of articles and technical papers relating to the policy, biology, and management of grass carp. GBF also produced a four-page fact sheet, “Grass Carp in Galveston Bay: What You Need to Know About this Exotic and Invasive Species,” available in our Publications. Both the literature survey and fact sheet were produced with funds from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) through the GLO Coastal Management Program.
Chinese tallow (Triadica sebifera)
GBF will soon be working on control of Chinese tallow on its 166.8-acre preserve, known as Rich Sanctuary, on Trinity Bay near Anahuac. Funding and technical assistance for this project is provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Texas Coastal Program. For more information on Chinese tallow, see "The Quiet Invasion: A Guide to Invasive Plants of the Galveston Bay Area," available from the Galveston Bay Estuary Program.
Brazilian peppertree (Schinus terebinthifolius)
GBF became involved in the control of Brazilian peppertree just after it was first discovered on Galveston Island. In 2005, GBF, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Galveston Bay Estuary Program, Restore America’s Estuaries, and NOAA partnered on an initial control project that resulted in the chemical treatment/removal of Brazilian peppertrees from all known locations of infestation at the Sweetwater Nature Preserve, Galveston Island Municipal Golf Course, Scholes Airport, and 17 private residential properties. As part of this project, GBF produced a one-page fact sheet, "Brazilian Pepper Tree on Galveston Island: The Next Chinese Tallow?," available in our Publications.
Although all known Brazilian peppertrees were treated/removed from Sweetwater Nature Preserve in the 2005 project, some resprouting has been seen, as expected following an initial treatment of such an aggressive invasive species. A second round of treatment, which will treat those areas targeted in 2005 plus additional areas of infestation on Galveston Island, is currently being planned with funding from the Galveston Bay Estuary Program, the Restore America’s Estuaries-NOAA national partnership, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Texas Coastal Program.
For more information on Brazilian peppertree, see "The Quiet Invasion: A Guide to Invasive Plants of the Galveston Bay Area," available from the Galveston Bay Estuary Program.
Both Chinese tallow and Brazilian peppertree are "prohibited species" listed on the State of Texas’ Noxious Plant List, 4 TAC §19.300. As of January 6, 2005, it is unlawful to sell, distribute, or import any live form of these plants into the State of Texas!
