Studies involving invasive Giant Reed (Arundo donax) and Ecological Restoration for Insect Pollinators in the Lower Rio Grande (Texas, USA)

The Rio Grande begins in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado and travels approximately 3,200 kilometers before draining into the Gulf of Mexico and serves as the geographical boundary between the United States and Mexico. The river is also a primary source of drinking water and supports much of the municipal, industrial, and agricultural water needs for both nations sharing this extraordinary water resource. Diverse flora and fauna along the associated riparian corridor depend on the Rio Grande’s life sustaining properties. Anthropogenic activity and invasion by non-native Arundo donax, giant reed, have altered the native floral communities along the riparian corridor, with potential impacts to the native wildlife. Along a 3.22 km stretch of the lower Rio Grande in southwestern Webb County, TX, we sampled bee and flowering plant communities monthly over two years to develop baseline information in support of ecological restoration for riparian and upland habitats. Additionally, to determine if allelopathy contributes to giant reed’s invasive success, we conducted in-vitro and in-situ experiments using giant reed extracts on selected Texas native species. While attempts to manage and control A.donax have occurred, the effectiveness of restoration practices involving reestablishing resources for pollinators has not been addressed. Lastly, we actively restored A. donax invaded plots and seeded them with Helianthus annuus (common sunflower) or a custom wildflower seed mix and monitored changes in plant and pollinator communities.

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