issg Database: Management and Information Links for Cenchrus echinatus

Cenchrus echinatus (grass)

Ecology Distribution Management
Info Impact
Info References
and Links Contacts

         Interim profile, incomplete information
         Management Information

Preventative measures: A Risk Assessment of Cenchrus echinatus for Australia. The result is a score of 11 and a recommendation of: "eject the plant for import (Australia) or species likely to be of high risk (Pacific)." C. echinatus is declared as an unwanted species in southern Africa (GCW 2007).
Physical/Chemical: Physical and chemical management techniques have been found to be effective against Cenchrus echinatus. Physical measures include hand-pulling individual plants, which can either be done on its own or following spray treatment with herbicide. Effective chemicals include glyphoshate, chlorazifop, altrazine and benfluralin. Follow up procedures are necessary due to the seed reservoir of C. echinatus. It has been noted that preemergence herbicides could be useful. (Flint & Rehkemper 2002; Motooka et al. 2003; PIER 2010).

         Location Specific Management Information
Arizona
Cenchrus echinatus is listed as a 'Prohibited and Regulated noxious weed' in the state of Arizona.
California
Cenchrus echinatus is listed as a 'C list (noxious weed)' in the state of California.
Florida (USA)
Cenchrus echinatus is classed as an environmental weed in the state of Florida.
Laysan Is.
A successful management plan was carried out to eradicate C. echinatus on Laysan Island, beginning in 1991 (Flint & Rehkemper 2002; Simberloff 2009). After trialling many techniques (heat application, herbicides, mechanical techniques and salt water application), it was found that using a combination of herbicide application (glyphosphate) followed by mechanical control (hand pulling) was the most effective method for C. echinatus control whilst creating the least impact on the wildlife present. Sites were monitored every 6 weeks for three years after the last C. echinatus plant was found, and every 16 weeks thereafter. By 1999 C. echinatus was rare on the island, with the rate of finding new plants on a previously cleared plot reduced from as many as 95 plants per hour (in 1994) down to 0.043 plants per hour. (Flint & Rehkemper 2002).
Northern Territory
Cenchrus echinatus is declared a noxious weed in the Northern Territory.

         Management Resources/Links

1. Flint E., Rehkemper C. 2002. Control and eradication of the introduced grass, Cenchrus echinatus, at Laysan Island, Central Pacific Ocean. In: C.R. Veitch, M.N. Clout (eds) Turning the Tide: The Eradication of Invasive Species. Proceedings of the Internation Conference on Eradication of Island Invasives. Pp 110.
        Summary: Available from: http://www.issg.org/pdf/publications/turning_the_tide.pdf [Accessed 24 September 2010]
2. IUCN/SSC Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG)., 2010. A Compilation of Information Sources for Conservation Managers.
        Summary: This compilation of information sources can be sorted on keywords for example: Baits & Lures, Non Target Species, Eradication, Monitoring, Risk Assessment, Weeds, Herbicides etc. This compilation is at present in Excel format, this will be web-enabled as a searchable database shortly. This version of the database has been developed by the IUCN SSC ISSG as part of an Overseas Territories Environmental Programme funded project XOT603 in partnership with the Cayman Islands Government - Department of Environment. The compilation is a work under progress, the ISSG will manage, maintain and enhance the database with current and newly published information, reports, journal articles etc.
3. Motooka P., Castro L., Nelson D., Nagai G., Ching L. 2003. Cenchrus echinatus. In: Weeds of Hawai‘i’s Pastures and Natural Areas; An Identification and Management Guide. College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawai‘i at Mänoa.
        Summary: Available from: http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/invweed/WeedsHI/W_Cenchrus_echinatus.pdf [Accessed 24 September 2010]
4. Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER) 2010. Cenchrus echinatus L., Poaceae.
        Summary: Available from: http://www.hear.org/pier/species/cenchrus_echinatus.htm [Accessed 23 September 2010]
5. Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER), 2001. Risk Assessments: Cenchrus echinatus L., Poaceae
        Summary: Available from: http://www.hear.org/pier/wra/australia/ceech-wra.htm [Accessed 26 July 2010]
6. Simberloff D. 2009. We can eliminate invasions or live with them. Successful management projects. In: D.W. Langor, J. Sweeney (eds) Ecological Impacts of Non-Native Invertebrates and Fungi on Terrestrial Ecosystems. Springer Science+Business Media B.V. Pp 149-15.
         Results Page: 1

The Global Invasive Species Database is managed by the Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG) of the IUCN Species Survival Commission. It was developed as part of the global initiative on invasive species led by the Global Invasive Species Programme (GISP) and is supported through partnerships with the National Biological Information Infrastructure, Manaaki Whenua-Landcare Research and the University of Auckland. Conditions of use.