Plant Assessment Form

More Ficus carica resources

Ficus carica

Common Names: edible fig

Evaluated on: 8/27/04

List committee review date: 27/08/2004

Re-evaluation date:

Evaluator(s)

John M. Randall
The Nature Conservancy and Univeristy of California Davis
TNC Invasive Species Initiative, 124 Robbins Hall, Weed Science Program, University of California, Davis, CA 95616
530 754 8890
jarandall@tnc.org

List committee members

Joe DiTomaso
Peter Warner
Alison Stanton
Jake Sigg
Cynthia Roye
John Randall

General Comments

No general comments for this species

Table 2. Criteria, Section, and Overall Scores

Overall Score? Moderate

Alert Status? No Alert

Documentation? 2.5 out of 5

Score

Documentation

1.1

?Impact on abiotic ecosystem processes

C. Minor

Observational

Impact?
Four-part score CABD Total Score
B

1.2

?Impact on plant community

A. Severe

Observational

1.3

?Impact on higher trophic levels

B. Moderate

Observational

1.4

?Impact on genetic integrity

D. None

Reviewed Scientific Publication

2.1

?Role of anthropogenic and natural disturbance in establishment

B. Moderate

Observational

Invasiveness?
Total Points
17 Total Score A

2.2

?Local rate of spread with no management

A. Increases rapidly

Observational

2.3

?Recent trend in total area infested within state

B. Increasing less rapidly

Anecdotal

2.4

?Innate reproductive potential
(see Worksheet A)

A. High

Reviewed Scientific Publication

2.5

?Potential for human-caused dispersal

A. High

Reviewed Scientific Publication

2.6

? Potential for natural long-distance dispersal

A. Frequent

Observational

2.7

?Other regions invaded

C. Already invaded

Other Published Material

3.1

?Ecological amplitude/Range
(see Worksheet C)

A. Widespread

Other Published Material

Distribution?
Total Score B

3.2

?Distribution/Peak frequency
(see Worksheet C)

C. Low

Other Published Material

Table 3. Documentation

Scores are explained in the "Criteria for Categorizing Invasive Non-Native Plants that Threaten Wildlands".

Section 1: Impact
Question 1.1 Impact on abiotic ecosystem processes? Consider the impact on the natural range and variation of abiotic ecosystem processes and system-wide parameters in ways that significantly diminish the ability of native species to survive and reproduce. Alterations that determine the types of communities that can exist in a given area are of greatest concern. Examples of abiotic processes include: - fire occurrence, frequency, and intensity; - geomorphological changes such as erosion and sedimentation rates; - hydrological regimes, including soil water table; - nutrient and mineral dynamics, including salinity, alkalinity, and pH; - light availability (e.g. when an aquatic invader covers an entire water body that would otherwise be open). Select the one letter below that best describes this species' most severe impact on an abiotic ecosystem process: A. Severe, possibly irreversible, alteration or disruption of an ecosystem process. B. Moderate alteration of an ecosystem process. C. Minor alteration of an ecosystem process. D. Negligible perceived impact on an ecosystem process. U. Unknown.	C Observational
Identify ecosystem processes impacted: NO observed impact on ecosystem processes. However, it is possible the Ficus carica litter is significantly different from litter of the native trees and other species that it displaces and if so it may signifcantly alter nutrient cycling and soil chemistry. Sources of information: personal observations. I did not find any literature reporting results of research on the impacts of Ficus carica on invaded areas. Also see Randall, J.M. 2000. Ficus carica pp. 193-198 In: C.C. Bossard, J.Randall and M.C. Hosovsky (eds.) Invasive Plants of California's Wildlands. University of California Press, Berkeley.
Question 1.2 Impact on plant community composition, structure, and interactions? Consider the cumulative ecological impact of this species to the plant communities it invades. Give more weight to changes in plant composition, structure, and interactions that involve rare or keystone species or rare community types. Examples of severe impacts include: - formation of stands dominated (>75% cover) by the species; - occlusion (>75% cover) of a native canopy, including a water surface, that eliminates or degrades layers below; - significant reduction or extirpation of populations of one or more native species. Examples of impacts usually less than severe include: - reduction in propagule dispersal, seedling recruitment, or survivorship of native species; - creation of a new structural layer, including substantial thatch or litter, without elimination or replacement of a pre-existing layer; - change in density or depth of a structural layer; - change in horizontal distribution patterns or fragmentation of a native community; - creation of a vector or intermediate host of pests or pathogens that infect native plant species. Select the one letter below that best describes this species' impact on community composition, structure and interactions: A. Severe alteration of plant community composition, structure, or interactions. B. Moderate alteration of plant community composition. C. Minor alteration of community composition. D. Negligible impact known; causes no perceivable change in community composition, structure, or interactions. U. Unknown.	A Observational
Identify type of impact or alteration: Forms dense stands within native riparian forests and woodlands. Edible fig is sometimes the only woody species in these dense stands and the only woody species in other stands. Sources of information: personal observations and observations reported by land managers at Dye Creek Preserve. I did not find any literature reporting results of research on the impacts of Ficus carica on invaded areas. Also see Randall, J.M. 2000. Ficus carica pp. 193-198 In: C.C. Bossard, J.Randall and M.C. Hosovsky (eds.) Invasive Plants of California's Wildlands. University of California Press, Berkeley.
Question 1.3 Impact on higher trophic levels? Consider the cumulative impact of this species on the animals, fungi, microbes, and other organisms in the communities that it invades. Although a non-native species may provide resources for one or a few native species (e.g. by providing food, nesting sites, etc.), the ranking should be based on the species' net impact on all native species. Give more weight to changes in composition and interactions involving rare or keystone species or rare community types. Examples of severe impacts include: - extirpation or endangerment of an existing native species or population; - elimination or significant reduction in native species' nesting or foraging sites, cover, or other critical resources (i.e., native species habitat), including migratory corridors. Examples of impacts that are usually less than severe include: - minor reduction in nesting or foraging sites, cover, etc. for native animals; - minor reduction in habitat connectivity or migratory corridors; - interference with native pollinators; - injurious components, such as awns or spines that damage the mouth and gut of native wildlife species, or production of anti-digestive or acutely toxic chemical that can poison native wildlife species. Select the one letter below that best describes this species' impact on community composition and interactions: A. Severe alteration of higher trophic populations, communities, or interactions. B. Moderate alteration of higher trophic level populations, communities, or interactions. C. Minor alteration of higher trophic level populations, communities or interactions. D. Negligible impact; causes no perceivable change in higher trophic level populations, communities, or interactions. E. Unknown.	B Observational
Identify type of impact or alteration: If it produces fruits, it attracts rats which will also prey on birds, particularly nestlings (Underwood, ). Sources of information: Cynthia Roye, pers observation. Aug. 2004.
Question 1.4 Impact on genetic integrity? Consider whether the species can hybridize with and influence the proportion of individuals with non-native genes within populations of native species. Mechanisms and possible outcomes include: - production of fertile or sterile hybrids that can outcompete the native species; - production of sterile hybrids that lower the reproductive output of the native species. Select the one letter below that best describes this species' impact on genetic integrity: A. Severe (high proportion of individuals). B. Moderate (medium proportion of individuals). C. Minor (low proportion of individuals). D. No known hybridization. U. Unknown.	D Reviewed Scientific Publication
There are no native Ficus species, and no native members of the Moraceae Sources of information: Hickman, J.C. 1993. The Jepson Manual Higher Plants of California. University of California Press, Berkeley, CA.
Section 2: Invasiveness
Question 2.1 Role of anthropogenic and natural disturbance in establishment? Assess this species' dependence on disturbance: both human and natural: for establishment in wildlands. Examples of anthropogenic disturbances include: - grazing, browsing, and rooting by domestic livestock and feral animals; - altered fire regimes, including fire suppression; - cultivation; - silvicultural practices; - altered hydrology due to dams, diversions, irrigation, etc.; - roads and trails; - construction; - nutrient loading from fertilizers, runoff, etc. Examples of natural disturbance include: - wildfire; - floods; - landslides; - windthrow; - native animal activities such as burrowing, grazing, or browsing. Select the first letter in the sequence below that describes the ability of this species to invade wildlands: A. Severe invasive potential: this species can establish independent of any known natural or anthropogenic disturbance. B. Moderate invasive potential: this species may occasionally establish in undisturbed areas but can readily establish in areas with natural disturbances. C. Low invasive potential: this species requires anthropogenic disturbance to establish. D. No perceptible invasive potential: this species does not establish in wildlands (though it may persist from former cultivation). U. Unknown.	A Observational
Describe role of disturbance: Ficus carica becomes established in riparian areas that have had no recent anthropogenic disturbance but its establishment appears to be promoted by flooding disturbance. Ficus carica is also common along many levees in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Although they may have become established decades after the intial creation of the levees they may benefit from disturbance caused by maintainence activities. Sources of information: Personal observations and personal communications with Becky Waegell and Peter Hujick, land managers of the Cosumnes River Preserve and Dye Creek Preserve respectively. Also see pp 195-196 in Randall, J.M. 2000. Ficus carica pp. 193-198 In: C.C. Bossard, J.Randall and M.C. Hosovsky (eds.) Invasive Plants of California's Wildlands. University of California Press, Berkeley.
Question 2.2 Local rate of spread with no management? Assess this species' rate of spread in existing localized infestations where the proportion of available habitat invaded is still small when no management measures are implemented. Select the one letter below that best describes the rate of spread: A. Increases rapidly (doubling in <10 years) B. Increases, but less rapidly C. Stable D. Declining U. Unknown	A Observational
Describe rate of spread: I observed the rapid increase in size of an infestation at the Cosumnes River Preserve over a 2-3 year period and estimated ages of trees in the roughly 0.25 acre infestation and found that the oldest trunk present was probably only 8 years old. Sources of information: Personal observations, and corroborating statements by land managers at the Cosumnes River Preserve and Dye Creek Preserve. Also see Randall, J.M. 2000. Ficus carica pp. 193-198 In: C.C. Bossard, J.Randall and M.C. Hosovsky (eds.) Invasive Plants of California's Wildlands. University of California Press, Berkeley.
Question 2.3 Recent trend in total area infested within state? Assess the overall trend in the total area infested by this species statewide. Include current management efforts in this assessment and note them. Select the one letter below that best describes the current trend: A. Increasing rapidly (doubling in total range statewide in <10 years) B. Increasing, but less rapidly C. Stable D. Declining U. Unknown	B Anecdotal
Describe trend: Reports of new or newly detected infestations from Cosumnes River Preserve and Dye Creek suggest that this species is still spreading in California Sources of information: Personal observations at Cosumnes River Preserve, reports from Becky Waegell of Cosumnes River Preserve and from Peter Hujik at Dye Creek Preserve.
Question 2.4 Innate reproductive potential? Assess the innate reproductive potential of this species. Worksheet A is provided for computing the score.	A Reviewed Scientific Publication
Describe key reproductive characteristics: Ficus carica trees are capable of producing abundant fruit and seed two or three times per year. The plants also spread vegetatively via root sprouts and via broken branches that make contact with the soil and form roots. These broken branches may be carried great distances in flood waters, finally washing up in a new location where they may establish a new population. Sources of information: Randall, J.M. 2000. Ficus carica pp. 193-198 In: C.C. Bossard, J.Randall and M.C. Hosovsky (eds.) Invasive Plants of California's Wildlands. University of California Press, Berkeley. Michailides, T.J. D.P. Morgan and KV. Subbarao. 1996. Fig endosepsis: an old disease still a dilemma for California growers. Plant Disease 80: 828-841. Furguson L., T.J. Michailides and H.H. Shorey. 1990. The California fig industry. In J. Janick (ed.) Horticultural Reviews 12. Timber Press, Portland, OR. Kjellberg, F., P.H. Gouyon, M. Ibrahim, M. Raymond and G. Valdeyron. 1987. The stability of the symbiosis between dioecious figs and their pollinators: a study of Ficus carica and Blastophaga psenes L. Evolution 41: 693-704.
Question 2.5 Potential for human-caused dispersal? Assess whether this species is currently spread: or has high potential to be spread: by direct or indirect human activity. Such activity may enable the species to overcome natural barriers to dispersal that would not be crossed otherwise, or it may simply increase the natural dispersal of the species. Possible mechanisms for dispersal include: - commercial sales for use in agriculture, ornamental horticulture, or aquariums; - use as forage, erosion control, or revegetation; - presence as a contaminant (seeds or propagules) in bulk seed, hay, feed, soil, packing materials, etc.; - spread along transportation corridors such as highways, railroads, trails, or canals; - transport on boats or boat trailers. Select the one letter below that best describes human-caused dispersal and spread: A. High: there are numerous opportunities for dispersal to new areas. B. Moderate: human dispersal occurs, but not at a high level. C. Low: human dispersal is infrequent or inefficient. D. Does not occur. U. Unknown.	A Reviewed Scientific Publication
Identify dispersal mechanisms: Ficus carica is grown as a crop is California. In fact as of the late 1990s California was the third most important producer of figs in the world. Figs are also popular ornamental trees in California Sources of information: Michailides, T.J. D.P. Morgan and KV. Subbarao. 1996. Fig endosepsis: an old disease still a dilemma for California growers. Plant Disease 80: 828-841. Furguson L., T.J. Michailides and H.H. Shorey. 1990. The California fig industry. In J. Janick (ed.) Horticultural Reviews 12. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
Question 2.6 Potential for natural long-distance dispersal? We have chosen 1 km as the threshold of "long-distance." Assess whether this species is frequently spread, or has high potential to be spread, by animals or abiotic mechanisms that can move seed, roots, stems, or other propagules this far. The following are examples of such natural long-distance dispersal mechanisms: - the species' fruit or seed is commonly consumed by birds or other animals that travel long distances; - the species' fruits or seeds are sticky or burred and cling to feathers or hair of animals; - the species has buoyant fruits, seeds, or other propagules that are dispersed by flowing water; - the species has light propagules that promote long-distance wind dispersal; - The species, or parts of it, can detach and disperse seeds as they are blown long distances (e.g., tumbleweed). Select the one letter below that best describes natural long-distance dispersal and spread: A. Frequent long-distance dispersal by animals or abiotic mechanisms. B. Occasional long-distance dispersal by animals or abiotic mechanisms. C. Rare dispersal more than 1 km by animals or abiotic mechanisms. D. No dispersal of more than 1 km by animals or abiotic mechanisms. U. Unknown.	A Observational
Identify dispersal mechanisms: Fig fruits are eaten by many animals, including birds which may disperse the seeds. Also, the branches are relatively brittle and may break off during storms or floods and can then be carried great distances before washing up in a new location. Sources of information: Personal observations at Cosumnes River Preserve.
Question 2.7 Other regions invaded? Assess whether this species has invaded ecological types in other states or countries outside its native range that are analogous to ecological types not yet invaded in your state (see Worksheets B, C, and D for California, Arizona, and Nevada, respectively, in Part IV for lists of ecological types). This information is useful in predicting the likelihood of further spread within your state. Select the one letter below that best describes the species' invasiveness in other states or countries, outside its native range. A. This species has invaded 3 or more ecological types elsewhere that exist in your state and are as yet not invaded by this species (e.g. it has invaded Mediterranean grasslands, savanna, and maquis in southern Europe, which are analogous to California grasslands, savanna, and chaparral, respectively). B. Invades 1 or 2 ecological types that exist but are not yet invaded in your state. C. Invades elsewhere but only in ecological types that it has already invaded in the state. D. Not known as an escape anywhere else. U. Unknown.	C Other Published Material
Identify other regions: Edible fig has naturalized in Australia (Vicoria, Western Australia), New Zealand and the Galapagos, but in these places it does not invade habitat types that it has not already invaded here in California. Sources of information: Randall, R.P. 2002. A Global Compendium of Weeds. RG and FJ Richardson, Meredith, Victoria, Australia.
Section 3: Distribution
Question 3.1 Ecological amplitude/Range? Refer to Worksheet C and select the one letter below that indicates the number of different ecological types that this species invades. A. Widespread: the species invades at least three major types or at least six minor types. B. Moderate: the species invades two major types or five minor types. C. Limited: the species invades only one major type and two to four minor types. D. Narrow: the species invades only one minor type. U. Unknown.	A Other Published Material
Ficus carica invades riparian forests, streamside habitats, levees and canal banks in the Central Valley and surrounding foothills, along the south coast and coastal flats and coastal scrub on the Channel Islands. Sources of information: Hickman, J.C. 1993. The Jepson Manual Higher Plants of California. University of California Press, Berkeley, CA. Junak, S. T. Ayers, R. Scott, D. Wilken and D. Young. 1995. A Flora of Santa Cruz Island. Santa Barbara Botanical Garden and California Native Plant Society, Santa Barbara, California. Randall, J.M. 2000. Ficus carica pp. 193-198 In: C.C. Bossard, J.Randall and M.C. Hosovsky (eds.) Invasive Plants of California's Wildlands. University of California Press, Berkeley.
Question 3.2 Distribution/Peak frequency? To assess distribution, record the letter that corresponds to the highest percent infested score entered in Worksheet C for any ecological type.	C Other Published Material
Describe distribution: Many of the riparian forests in the Cental Valley contain Ficus carica as do many sloughs and levees in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. However, when compared to all riparian forest habitat in the state a conservative estimate is that just 5-20% of all this habitat statewide contains the fig. enter text here Sources of information: Personal observations, Also see: Hickman, J.C. 1993. The Jepson Manual Higher Plants of California. University of California Press, Berkeley, CA. Randall, J.M. 2000. Ficus carica pp. 193-198 In: C.C. Bossard, J.Randall and M.C. Hosovsky (eds.) Invasive Plants of California's Wildlands. University of California Press, Berkeley.

Worksheet A - Innate reproductive potential

Reaches reproductive maturity in 2 years or less	No
Dense infestations produce >1,000 viable seed per square meter	Unknown
Populations of this species produce seeds every year.	Yes
Seed production sustained over 3 or more months within a population annually	Yes
Seeds remain viable in soil for three or more years	Unknown
Viable seed produced with both self-pollination and cross-pollination	No
Has quickly spreading vegetative structures (rhizomes, roots, etc.) that may root at nodes	Yes
Fragments easily and fragments can become established elsewhere	Yes
Resprouts readily when cut, grazed, or burned	Yes
Total points:	6
Total unknowns:	2
Total score:	A? Scoring Criteria for Worksheet A A. High reproductive potential (6 or more points). B. Moderate reproductive potential (4-5 points). C. Low reproductive potential (3 points or less and less than 3 Unknowns). U. Unknown (3 or fewer points and 3 or more Unknowns).

Related traits:

Worksheet B - Arizona Ecological Types is not included here

Worksheet C - California Ecological Types

(sensu Holland 1986)

Major Ecological Types	Minor Ecological Types	Code? A means >50% of type occurrences are invaded; B means 20% to 50%; C means 5% to 20%; D means present but <5%; U means unknown (unable to estimate percentage of occurrences invaded)
Marine Systems	marine systems
Freshwater and Estuarine	lakes, ponds, reservoirs
Aquatic Systems	rivers, streams, canals
Aquatic Systems	estuaries
Dunes	coastal
	desert
	interior
Scrub and Chaparral	coastal bluff scrub
	coastal scrub	D, < 5%
	Sonoran desert scrub
	Mojavean desert scrub (incl. Joshua tree woodland)
	Great Basin scrub
	chenopod scrub
	montane dwarf scrub
	Upper Sonoran subshrub scrub
	chaparral
Grasslands, Vernal Pools, Meadows, and other Herb Communities	coastal prairie
	valley and foothill grassland
	Great Basin grassland
	vernal pool
	meadow and seep
	alkali playa
	pebble plain
Bog and Marsh	bog and fen
Bog and Marsh	marsh and swamp	C, 5% - 20%
Riparian and Bottomland habitat	riparian forest	C, 5% - 20%
	riparian woodland
	riparian scrub (incl.desert washes)	D, < 5%
Woodland	cismontane woodland
	piñon and juniper woodland
	Sonoran thorn woodland
Forest	broadleaved upland forest
	North Coast coniferous forest
	closed cone coniferous forest
	lower montane coniferous forest
	upper montane coniferous forest
	subalpine coniferous forest
Alpine Habitats	alpine boulder and rock field
Alpine Habitats	alpine dwarf scrub
	Amplitude (breadth):	B
	Distribution (highest score):	C

Infested Jepson Regions

Click here for a map of Jepson regions

Cascade Range
Central West
Great Valley
Northwest
Sierra Nevada
Southwest
Mojave Desert

California Invasive Plant Council

Protecting California’s environment and economy from invasive plants

Plant Assessment Form

More Ficus carica resources

Ficus carica

Evaluator(s)

List committee members

General Comments

Table 2. Criteria, Section, and Overall Scores

Table 3. Documentation

Worksheet A - Innate reproductive potential

Related traits:

Worksheet C - California Ecological Types

Infested Jepson Regions