When 99 percent of an ecosystem is destroyed, it’s time for drastic measures. Such is the case in the southern coastal tall-grass prairie. The 1 percent of this habitat that has survived lies on the brink of death, due to a host of reasons, the most surprising of which is an exotic plant species.

The Armand Bayou Nature Center (ABNC), located in the lower Galveston Bay watershed, manages a large chunk of this endangered ecosystem—900 acres to be exact. While the 900 acres were originally endangered by agriculture and cattle over-grazing, the biggest threat today lies in the Chinese Tallow.

The Culprit
Mark Kramer, Stewardship Coordinator for the ABNC, said that the Chinese Tallow arrived in the Bay Area by means of the plant nursery trade. The Tallow offered a viable solution to a booming local economy. It grew fast, produced pretty fall colors, and thrived in almost all types of soil. Purchasing and planting these trees just made sense.

Little did anyone know that the Chinese Tallow would become the coastal prairie’s primary enemy.

“They become a problem when introduced into sensitive ecological areas where the [aforementioned] elements enable them to out-compete native plants,” Mark informed. Since the Chinese Tallow grows like a weed, it quickly overtakes everything around it. Eventually the Tallows grow into a forest, creating a canopy that robs all native vegetation of much needed sunlight and nutrients. In an environmentally-sensitive area like the coastal prairie, this is a recipe for ecological disaster.

Death by Fire
Believe it or not, the answer lies in violence—not against humans or animals of course, but against the Chinese Tallow. Mark explains, “We manage tallow through an integrated strategy which includes prescribed fire, brushhog mowing with a tractor, and herbicide treatments.” But fire is their primary weapon of choice.

Fire has actually been used to manage ecosystems since the time of the Native Americans; perhaps even before, thanks to Mother Nature and her gift of lightning. Native plants have developed heat resistance over a long period of time. The cells necessary to bud are located below ground level, protecting them from fires. On the other hand, invasive species like the Chinese Tallow haven’t figured this out yet. So a controlled fire can wipe out the Tallow without harming the native plant life.

The fires don’t always eradicate them forever, but that’s where the mowing and herbicides come into play. Without continued management, a Tallow forest can reform completely in as little as 20 years. An aggressive approach is the only option.

Training to Kill
A prescribed burn is the use of controlled fires to achieve a particular goal in an ecosystem. The ABNC performed its first prescribed burn in 1978. Since then, prescribed burns have been the focal point of their prairie restoration campaign. The ABNC has formed burn teams to carry out the mass murder of the Tallow.

Interestingly enough, you don’t have to work for the ABNC to join a burn team. Burn teams often include volunteers. All you have to do to join the burn army is take a prescribed burn class offered by the ABNC. Here you will learn all about use of fire, behavior, safety, and everything else you’ll need to join a team. If the conditions are right, you’ll even get your feet wet with a small scale burn that very day. If you’re interested in getting your hands dirty in the fight against the Chinese Tallow, call 281-474-2551 and register for a prescribed burn class.