[APWG] ECOSYSTEM MISMANAGEMENT? Re: Herbicides--why not convert to natural allelochemicals?

[Wayne Tyson]

APWG:

Natural chemicals and compounds are chemicals and compounds, but in the 
amounts and ways in which ecosystems and organisms deliver them they are 
less likely to cause "whipsaw" injuries to ecosystems than industrial 
chemicals "applied" in simplistic ways. But, presuming that "natural" 
chemicals and compounds can be produced in commercial quantities, they, too, 
can be "applied" in simplistic ways. Besides, we don't have such "natural" 
chemicals available, and even if we did, there's no assurance that we would 
know how to use them.

What we do have is the ability to be truly integrated in our approach to 
ecosystem management and restoration, and we know (at least relatively 
crudely but effectively) how to manage nutrients and organisms to move 
toward dynamic stability. After all, that IS, at least the implied objective 
of alien species control--isn't it?

Perhaps the biggest problem with alien species control it the presumption 
that "good" species will somehow spontaneously occupy niches emptied by IVM 
and other control measures rather than recognizing that there is most often 
a need for quickly "managing" the weed-killed site with indigenous component 
resistant to reinvasion. The proof of which approach was necessary or not is 
in the ACTUAL results that hold up in perpetuity. Having to "re-spray" or 
"re-treat" is curiously seen as part of so-called IVM, rather than a defect 
in the underlying presumptions.

WT


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Craig Dremann - Redwood City Seed Company" <Craig at astreet.com>
To: <apwg at lists.plantconservation.org>
Sent: Friday, September 25, 2009 9:44 AM
Subject: [APWG] Herbicides--why not convert to natural allelochemicals?


> Dear All,
>
> Instead of any controversy about the use of commercial herbicides in
> wildlands, why don't we all start to convert to the use of natural plant
> herbicides, called allelochemicals?
>
> If we start looking for the most effective ones now, we could have a group
> of natural plant-based herbicides to use, some so strong that they remain
> effective for up to two years, against annual grasses like cheatgrass, for
> example.
>
> Why should we wait for USDA or Monsanto to invent these new natural
> herbicides for us?
>
> I think a group of these email readers, who need a safe and effective
> natural herbicide, with an annual grant from the Federal government, could
> find some of these effective natural allelochemical herbicides for the
> rest of us to use.
>
> Sincerely,  Craig Dremann (650) 325-7333
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> PCA's Alien Plant Working Group mailing list
> APWG at lists.plantconservation.org
> http://lists.plantconservation.org/mailman/listinfo/apwg_lists.plantconservation.org
>
> Disclaimer
> Any requests, advice or opinions posted to this list reflect ONLY the 
> opinion of the individual posting the message.


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