The problem of biological pollution is a relatively new notion to the public. It has only recently become a defining management issue for foresters, recreational specialists, resource managers, ecologists, native plant enthusiasts, and to some extent public policy makers who have in some states passed laws to ban the continued introduction of exotic pest species. While public awareness is lagging, more recognition of this issue is steadily filtering down into the professional ranks as these impacts have caused serious management concerns. As the significance of this issue becomes more urgent, professional associations and land managing agencies are attempting to educate their members through professional journals, symposia, and conferences about this threat.

In Tennessee, a statewide coordinated effort to educate the public, natural resource professionals, and public policy makers has been on-going since 1994 with the establishment of the Tennessee Exotic Pest Plant Council (TN-EPPC), an affiliate of the National Association of Exotic Pest Plant Councils. This effort has been maintained through annual symposiums, membership newsletters, workshops, the development of an exotic pest plant list for the state, and educational brochures. Since its inception, TN-EPPC has recognized a need for providing resource managers with information to help control and manage exotic pest plants in Tennessee's natural areas (as defined generically). Through the cooperation of many of the professional affiliates of TN-EPPC, this Tennessee Exotic Plant Management Manual has been developed to accomplish that goal. Sponsorship for this manual and much of the technical information contained in it have come from the National Park Service (NPS). TN-EPPC recognizes NPS as an important participating member and is appreciative of its commitment. Much of the recent work in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on controlling and managing exotic pest plant species has been very important in developing many of these management guidelines.

Statement of Problem
Recently the native vegetation throughout Tennessee has been severely impacted by introduced plant species that are invasive. These plants are called exotics because they are introduced into a region by humans either deliberately or accidentally. While not all exotics are invasive, those that naturalize may become prolific reproducers and rampantly spread throughout natural areas. Since they lack the natural controls that keep them in check in their native range, invasive exotics out-compete and displace native vegetation. This effect drastically changes the composition of native plant communities and degrades the ecological significance of native habitats. When ecosystems are severely degraded, the integrity of the natural area is lost. If control and management does not occur, many sites become monocultures of exotics, destroying biological diversity.

Statement of Purpose
This vegetation management manual provides the information to implement control and management techniques of some invasive exotic pest plant species. The most effective approach is to remove them as quickly as possible long before populations become established. Unfortunately, this is often not possible due to limited resources, especially when managing large or numerous areas. In many cases, however, exotics go unnoticed simply because of general lack of awareness of the problem. It is when infestation levels become obvious that management considerations are taken into account. This makes the task of implementing successful management actions even more challenging, requiring greater use of resources, and causing difficult management choices. The effectiveness of control and management is accomplished through a proactive management approach. The intent of this manual is to provide the prescribed methods to accomplish the goal of control and management whenever possible.

The management recommendations in this manual primarily derive from field tested applications in Tennessee and from literature reviews of research, life histories, and management efforts in other states. Any observations (data) that might amend these control and management recommendations arewelcomed. Site conditions differ across Tennessee's physiographic provinces, and site variability across the state may influence results. Future changes to this vegetation manual including additional control and management for new species will be available on-line on the Tennessee Exotic Pest Plant Council's Web Site (http://www.tn-eppc.org/).

Tennessee Exotic Pest Plant List of Invasive Exotics
The 20 species in this manual were selected from species listed as severe or significant threats to natural areas from the Invasive Exotic Pest Plants in Tennessee list developed by TN-EPPC. This comprehensive statewide list identifies and ranks invasive exotics that impact natural areas. Management recommendations for other species not included in this manual will be added as resources and management information become available. The list derives from the evaluations, observations and comments of resource managers, ecologists, and botanists across Tennessee. It is a tool to help resource managers be aware of the many other invasive exotic pest plants known to occur in Tennessee. It will be periodically reviewed and updated. Prior to this release, the list has been reviewed twice for comment by botanists statewide.

Useful information this manual provides
Identifying invasive exotics early in the process is an important first step which should lead to an assessment of the problem so appropriate management steps can be taken to prevent high infestation levels from occurring. The manual provides information to help identify 20 of Tennessee's most invasive exotic pest plant species with color photos, line drawings, and botanical descriptions. Additional information, such as life history, origin and distribution of exotics, and habitat information for each species is described. Similar native species that might be confused with these exotics are also described to minimize the chance of misidentification. Each exotic species account includes a bibliography of ref-erence for those interested in more information about particular species.

A tool for resource managers to implement integrated pest management practices
This manual is not a management plan for exotic plant control, but rather, it is a tool for resource managers to develop such plans. The philosophy of this manual reflects that of the Tennessee Exotic Pest Plant Council and represents an approach based on integrated pest management (IPM) and ecological restoration. IPM is a multiple track approach that may require more than one type of action for successful results. IPM utilizes cultural, ecological, mechanical, chemical, and biological control. The degree of infestation, sensitivity of an area (occurrence of rare elements), and availability of resources often determines the choice of action and the level of management response.

Chemical use is only recommended when other efforts are ineffective or when infestation must be reduced to attain manageable levels by other means. The chemicals used in natural areas should be applied as recommended. These chemicals are considered to be safe when used according to the recommendations. All precautions should be made to minimize the impact on non-target species. In many cases, when degradation is so extensive, chemical application is inappropriate. Management may not be feasible, or only possible if approved biological control agents are available. Chemical control offers short-term results and is considered a stop gap measure. These chemicals are referenced by their active ingredients. The trade names for these chemicals are not given.

Understanding ecological function is an important management need in natural resource management planning. Management actions that restore the necessary ecological processes is often a critical component of exotic species control. The absence of these ecological processes (fire, hydrology, etc.) creates favorable conditions for exotic species invasion. Frequently the degree of impact of invasive exotics is symptomatic of unhealthy ecosystems that have been disrupted from their natural disturbance regime or severely fragmented ecosystems where exotic species invasion occurs because of excessive edge effect.

Managing exotics does not necessarily result in complete eradication but may only accomplish control measures. Managing problem areas requires a long-term commitment, and planning that incorporates a monitoring program to prevent recolonization. Soils often retain viable seeds that will germinate for many years after removal. Sites beyond the immediate management zone where seeds and other dispersal propagules originate should also be targeted. Efforts to educate neighbors and adjacent property owners about how invasive exotics spread is desirable. Raising awareness about the spread of exotics is an important goal of the Tennessee Exotic Pest Plant Council and is critical in stopping future introductions.

Prevention is our best solution
While the focus of this manual is natural area management, these recommendations can also be applied to any other land management units from interstate rights-of-way to private residences. The control of exotic pest plants outside of preserve boundaries is critical in preventing their dispersal into the preserve. Stopping the continued introduction and spread of invasive exotics throughout Tennessee begins with prevention. There are unlimited species of native plants that can be used instead of exotics for roadside landscaping, wildlife habitat improvement, erosion control, mining reclamation, and other purposes. We strongly encourage federal and state nursery systems that provide plant materials for public land use to help in this endeavor by eliminating exotics from their inventories. It would be highly desirable for these nurseries to propagate and grow quality native plants that can be used for landscaping and restoration purposes by public land managers.

TN-EPPC endorses the Resolution for Responsible Landscaping Practices introduced by the Tennessee Recreation and Parks Association in 1990 and recommends using native plants especially in landscaping situations that may affect natural areas. The use of native species on public lands demonstrates responsible stewardship practices. This practice was mandated on April 26,1994 as President Clinton signed an executive directive for federal agencies and all non-federal agencies (who use federal dollars) to landscape with native plants. Other rules and laws important in Tennessee prohibit the introduction of exotic plants on state lands designated as state natural areas, scenic rivers, and the state trail system under the Rules for Management of Tennessee Natural Resource Areas.

As a proactive organization, TN-EPPC has developed alternative native plant lists as substitutes for invasive exotics. These lists are published as brochures "Landscaping with Native Plants" for each of the grand regions of Tennessee. They are available upon request. It is our hope that native plants will become more available in nurseries as public demand grows. In raising awareness about the invasive exotic pest plant issue, TN-EPPC also promotes the use of native plants.

Brian Bowen, President
Tennessee Exotic Pest Plant Council
September 1996