Wet Meadow Revegetation Following Invasive Plant Control
Wet Meadow Revegetation Following Invasive Plant Control

Author: Basil V. Iannone (III.)

Publisher:

Published: 2009

Total Pages: 76

ISBN-13:

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Phalaris arundinacea invades sedge meadow restorations, forming persistent monotypes that prevent community establishment. Eradicating Phalaris, however, leaves restored ecosystems prone to reinvasion. In order to restore desired plant communities, methods to control Phalaris are needed. To determine if reducing light by sowing cover crops and reducing nitrogen by incorporating soil-sawdust amendments would prevent Phalaris invasions, a study was conducted under conditions similar to a restored wetland in two experimental basins with controlled hydrology. Seeds of a 10-species target community and Phalaris were sown in plots with high diversity, low diversity, or no cover crops in soils with or without sawdust amendments. Nitrogen, light, tissue C:N ratios, firstyear seedling emergence, establishment, and growth, and second-year above ground biomass were measured. Only high diversity cover crops reduced light and sawdust reduced nitrogen for about 9 weeks. Similar trends in firstyear seedling data and second-year biomass data suggested Phalaris control efforts should focus on establishing perennial communities rather than implementing separate resource-limiting strategies. Sowing high diversity cover crops resulted in Phalaris-dominated communities, making cover crops an ineffective Phalaris control strategy. Using sawdust amendments did not reduce Phalaris invasion much beyond what the target community did but resulted in a community similar to those of natural sedge meadows by increasing the abundance of seeded species from the Cyperaceae family and colonization of non-seeded wetland species. The target community apparently reduced Phalaris invasion by reducing both light and nitrogen. Regardless, no treatment fully prevented invasion, making follow-up Phalaris control necessary to ensure community recovery.

Invasive Plant Ecology
Invasive Plant Ecology

Author: Shibu Jose

Publisher: CRC Press

Published: 2013-01-09

Total Pages: 305

ISBN-13: 143988126X

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Invasion of non-native plant species, which has a significant impact on the earth’s ecosystems, has greatly increased in recent years due to expanding trade and transport among different countries. Understanding the ecological principles underlying the invasive process as well as the characteristics of the invasive plants is crucial for making good management decisions to address this problem. Invasive Plant Ecology includes chapters derived from presentations at conferences such as the World Congress of the International Union of Forestry Research Organizations (IUFRO), as well as contributions from invited renowned authors. The chapters include both original research and syntheses of current knowledge on specific topics. Actions essential for coordinated approaches to curtail plant invasion include increasing awareness of the ecological impacts of alien plants and employing novel control strategies. This book provides a foundation in invasion ecology by examining ecological theories and case studies that explain plant invasions, their impacts, management strategies, and the ecological economics. The chapters describe ecological characteristics, mutualistic associations, microbial communities, and disturbance regimes that affect the spread of invasive plants. The book also covers spatial analysis and predictive modeling of invasive plants. The final chapters offer guidelines for ecological management and restoration of invaded areas and describe the economics of the invasive plant issue. This collection contains case studies from around the world, giving readers a real view of the extent of the invasive species issue along with real-world strategies. With its focus on the ecological aspects of plant invasion, this book provides an important reference for students, scientists, professionals, and policy makers who are involved in the study and management of alien invasive plants and ecosystems.

Ecology and Management of Giant Hogweed (Heracleum Mantegazziannum)
Ecology and Management of Giant Hogweed (Heracleum Mantegazziannum)

Author: M. Cock

Publisher: CABI

Published: 2007

Total Pages: 344

ISBN-13: 1845932072

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The Giant Hogweed Heracleum mantegazzianum is a pernicious invasive species, with significant impact on human health due to its phytoxic sap. From its native area, the Caucasus, it has spread across Europe creating serious environmental and health problems. This book, the output of a three-year EU project involving 40 European experts, is an authoritative compendium of current knowledge on this amazing invasive plant and will facilitate improved management. It is an invaluable resource for both practitioner and student, and covers topics including taxonomy, genetics, reproduction, population ecology, and invasion dynamics. It also reviews the possibilities of mechanical, chemical and biological control.

Long-term Managed Flooding to Control Invasive Phalaris Arundinacea L. and Help Restore Native Vegetation in an Urban Palustrine Wetlands Ecosystem
Long-term Managed Flooding to Control Invasive Phalaris Arundinacea L. and Help Restore Native Vegetation in an Urban Palustrine Wetlands Ecosystem

Author:

Publisher:

Published: 2018

Total Pages: 90

ISBN-13:

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We sought to determine the effects of 13 years of hydrologic management on the wetland plant community in Smith and Bybee Wetlands Natural Area (SBW), an 809 ha palustrine wetland complex in north Portland, Oregon. Previous management efforts resulted in an altered hydrologic regime; historically high water levels in spring and low water levels in fall were replaced by persistent water levels with minimal annual variations. A water control structure was installed in 2003 to better approximate historic seasonal hydrologic changes to reduce invasive Phalaris arundinacea (reed canarygrass) cover and promote native wetland vegetation growth. Vegetation monitoring has been carried out in three phases since project initiation (2003-2004, 2008-2009, and 2015-2016) to assess restoration efforts. Using lineintercept and differential leveling methods, we measured 25 randomly established transects ranging from 21.5m to 280.7m (mean: 92.87m) during monitoring years for vegetation and elevation to determine changes in vegetation in relation to seasonally varying water levels. Overall, reed canarygrass percent cover has decreased from 46.5% in 2003 to 17.6% in 2016 across all transect elevations. Reed canarygrass has been replaced significantly by seven native plant species with ≥ 5% cover on site. Native Persicaria amphibia (smartweed) has replaced reed canarygrass as the dominant species on site, increasing in cover from 20.2% in 2003 to 67.9% in 2016. Smartweed also replaced all other common species on site except for Salix lucida lasiandra. Other common native species (Bidens cernua, Eragrostis hypnoides, Eleocharis palustris, and Cyperus sp.) experienced earlier declines in cover between 2003 and 2009, but have since increased in cover primarily in low transect elevations in relation to lower inundation rates during their early growing seasons. Species diversity has declined significantly since 2003. Diversity was inversly correlated with reed canarygrass presence in 2003. These findings demonstrate that hydrologic management of a wetland system can be effective at reducing the presence of reed canarygrass and increasing native wetland vegetation by recreating historic hydrologic conditions that include increased inundation during the early growing season of reed canarygrass. Initial long inundation periods were most effective at reducing reed canarygrass, but did not need to be maintained indefinitely. Shortening and varying the inundation periods in later years after reed canarygrass has been reduced can be effective at maintaining lower levels of reed canarygrass while simultaneously increasing native species cover.