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Global Invasive Species Team listserve digest #048
Wed, 17 Nov 1999 17:50:33 -0800 (PST)
--CONTENTS--
1. Water dispersal of weed seeds
2. Wanted: Northeast freshwater sites with invasive species problems
3. On controlling Japanese knotweed
4. Goat poisoning via English ivy, Poison oak, or Vinca?
5. Controlling Phragmites australis and buckthorns in fragile wetlands
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1. Water dispersal of weed seeds
From: Susie Smith (Susan.Smith(at)NAU.EDU)
I am looking for published research on water dispersal of weed seeds,
especially sampling methods (sieving, screening, flotation, or other
methods designed to extract seeds from water). So far, I have two
references, both from Weed Science (Burns & Kelley, 1975; and Wilson,
1980). If anyone can point towards more recent information that is
accessible, please contact me.
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2. Wanted: Northeast freshwater sites with invasive species problems
From: Laura Ahearn Meyerson (laura.ahearn(at)yale.edu)
Laura Ahearn Meyerson (previously funded in part by the Connecticut Field
Office), is preparing her efforts for research on a Post-doctoral level.
She is interested in including Nature Conservancy sites in the Northeast
as part of her research focusing on the presence/absence of invasive plant
species and what makes a site open for invasion. What are your management
activities in these sites? What species are most problematic? If
Ecologists and/or Stewards can relay site numbers and location, it would
be greatly appreciated. Forward directly to Laura via email, or phone her
at (203) 436-4221. Information can also be passed to David Gumbart at the
Connecticut Field Office [dgumbart(at)tnc.org, (860) 344-0716].
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3. On controlling Japanese knotweed
From: Karen Budd (KBudd3030(at)aol.com)
Continual mowing of Japanese knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum) will
eventually discourage it. We have had success with this method at a site
in northeastern PA where it was an easy job to mow it in an upland site.
The problem with continual cutting and/or mowing near a stream is that the
smallest fragment that floats down the stream has the potential of
re-rooting elsewhere. Every piece that has been cut MUST be collected and
hauled away from the site!
We have also had success in foliar spraying Japanese knotweed where it has
formed a complete monoculture. This was near a marsh area in Bristol, PA.
For foliar treatment we used a 4% Roundup solution with a very small
amount of Arsenal (1 oz. to 2 1/2 gallons water). Where we were very
close to the water we used Rodeo. We have not tried treating cut stems. I
would be very interested in information about this technique.
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4. Goat poisoning via English ivy, Poison oak, or Vinca?
From: Andrea_Pickart (Andrea_Pickart(at)fws.gov)
At Humboldt Bay NWF we are manually controlling English ivy (Hedera
helix), and are unable to deal with the areas where it occurs with poison
oak (Toxicodendron diversilobum). How have others dealt with this problem,
with or without chemicals.
Are there any exotic plants that are known to be poisonous to goats that
we should worry about tethering a goat next to? Does anyone know if a goat
will eat Vinca major? Poison oak?
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5. Controlling Phragmites australis and buckthorns in fragile wetlands
From: Kay Sadighi (KayTrees(at)aol.com)
--Kay recently gave a talk on weed control, called "Treating Phragmites
australis and Rhamnus cathartica and frangula in fragile wetlands", and
was good enough to give us a few paragraph summary of what she said...
Small groups of volunteers cut Phragmites stem by stem and carry out the
seedheads for composting at a farm. Hollow stems are filled with a 25%
solution of Rodeo (glyphosate by Monsanto) using a 1-pint size reagent
bottle with narrow-diameter nozzle. This is not the spot treatment on the
Rodeo label which refers to backpack spraying. With this stem-by-stem
treatment, the herbicide is contained completely within the Phragmites
plant. No collateral mortality has ever been observed among intertwined
native plants. Density of Phragmites has been reduced 80-90%.
To mark stems which have been treated, the licensed herbicide applicator
wears a cotton glove over a nitrile protective glove and saturates the
cotton glove with acrylic paint so that as the stem is held for treatment,
it is marked with bright paint. Areas are also recorded with GPS pre- and
post-treatment to monitor control from year to year.
For control of Buckthorn (Rhamnus spp.), we cut the stems/trunks in winter
which affords easier access on the bog and eliminates trampling of native
vegetation. Within 15 minutes of cutting, the stumps is marked with an
indelible marker and full-strength Rodeo is applied using a pot scrubber
having a sponge affixed to a hollow plastic handle. These are available in
grocery stores and work better than paint brushes. Fewer than 90% of stems
re-sprout using this method.