Restoring Phragmites Invaded Wetlands: A Large-scale Experimental Approach to Guiding Effective Management
Location
USU Eccles Conference Center
Event Website
http://water.usu.edu
Start Date
4-5-2016 5:27 PM
End Date
3-5-2016 5:30 PM
Description
The invasive plant, Phragmites australis has been expanding rapidly in the wetlands of the Great Salt Lake (GSL), replacing important habitat for the millions of migratory birds that rely on this ecosystem. Here we present four years of results for a multi-year study which examines the effectiveness of six treatments for controlling small (50mx20m), dense patches of Phragmites along the eastern shore of the GSL. The treatments are 1.) summer mow, fall glyphosate spray, 2.) summer glyphosate spray, winter mow, 3.) fall glyphosate spray, winter mow, 4.) summer imazapyr spray, winter mow, 5.) summer mow, then black plastic solarization, 6.) untreated control. Results show that all herbicide treatments, regardless of timing, significantly reduce Phragmites cover, but Phragmites returns more quickly following summer treatments. Native plant recovery following all treatments is slow, particularly in important habitat-forming perennial bulrushes. Plant recovery has likely been inhibited by the dense Phragmites litter layer following repeated mowing. Summer mowing and summer herbicide spraying significantly reduced Phragmites inflorescence density compared with the fall herbicide treatment, greatly limiting the ability of Phragmites to spread further by seed. The findings from this multi-year study will be used to develop best management practices for controlling Phragmites in GSL wetlands.
Restoring Phragmites Invaded Wetlands: A Large-scale Experimental Approach to Guiding Effective Management
USU Eccles Conference Center
The invasive plant, Phragmites australis has been expanding rapidly in the wetlands of the Great Salt Lake (GSL), replacing important habitat for the millions of migratory birds that rely on this ecosystem. Here we present four years of results for a multi-year study which examines the effectiveness of six treatments for controlling small (50mx20m), dense patches of Phragmites along the eastern shore of the GSL. The treatments are 1.) summer mow, fall glyphosate spray, 2.) summer glyphosate spray, winter mow, 3.) fall glyphosate spray, winter mow, 4.) summer imazapyr spray, winter mow, 5.) summer mow, then black plastic solarization, 6.) untreated control. Results show that all herbicide treatments, regardless of timing, significantly reduce Phragmites cover, but Phragmites returns more quickly following summer treatments. Native plant recovery following all treatments is slow, particularly in important habitat-forming perennial bulrushes. Plant recovery has likely been inhibited by the dense Phragmites litter layer following repeated mowing. Summer mowing and summer herbicide spraying significantly reduced Phragmites inflorescence density compared with the fall herbicide treatment, greatly limiting the ability of Phragmites to spread further by seed. The findings from this multi-year study will be used to develop best management practices for controlling Phragmites in GSL wetlands.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/runoff/2016/2016Posters/20
Comments
A poster by Christine Rohal, who is with Utah State University, Ecology Center and the Department of Watershed Sciences