[APWG] Ecosystem Restoration and Alien Species Management Re:Native grassland and forest understory weedings 99%

Thu Aug 18 12:54:46 CDT 2011

Mark:  Your information on the control of invasives in the 200 acre Swan Park project in Maryland was encouraging.  We need more estimates like this of person-hours and years required to achieve this level of managment in forested natural areas.  I am on the board of a park advisory group trying to manage a 640 acre urban, semi-forested natural area which is continually being invaded horticulcural landscape species such as honeysuckle species, privet, Juniper, white Briony, Western Hackberry, Mahaleb Cherry, and Russian Olive.  All clearly imported by roosting passerine birds.  We need to organize a similar volunteer corps to do the selective removal over a period of years.  Do you have some advice or direction for us to get such a project organized and sustained over a period of years?  Ty Harrison
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Marc Imlay 
  To: apwg at lists.plantconservation.org 
  Sent: Thursday, August 18, 2011 5:52 AM
  Subject: Re: [APWG] Ecosystem Restoration and Alien Species Management Re:Native grassland and forest understory weedings 99%

  The site was chosen for restoration because it was more native to start with then typical sites in Maryland. We have found that we do not have to plant natives since they move in from contiguous areas after the invasive plants are removed. About 20% of our sites have this degree of % native cover. The only continuing form of disturbance is lack of deer control; (they won't let us bring the wolf or cougar back.). Secondary succession started typically about 70 years ago in this park before the invasives came except for Japanese Honeysuckle.   Indigenous early succession species such as poison ivy, greenbriar, and sweetgum are not abundant. 

  Marc

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  From: Wayne Tyson [mailto:landrest at cox.net] 
  Sent: Monday, August 15, 2011 11:37 PM
  To: Marc Imlay; apwg at lists.plantconservation.org
  Subject: Ecosystem Restoration and Alien Species Management Re: [APWG] Native grassland and forest understory weedings 99%

  Marc and APWG: 

  I am not familiar with this ecosystem. 

  Is the site in a state of "secondary succession?" 

  What kind of perturbations preceded the invasions? 

  Is there any continuing form of disturbance? 

  Is there a "pristine" site, herbarium collection, or other source of baseline data for comparison with present (and other later) states? 

  What fraction of the present vegetation consists of indigenous "climax" species and what fraction consists of indigenous "pioneer" species? 

  What is the strategy with respect to on-site seeds or other viable propagules, and what are their estimated numbers? 

  What is the general proximity of populations of the alien species eradicated from the site, and what is the state or potential for dispersal and in-migration? 

  Are you tracking population curves for these species? When will the rates of increase "go critical?" 

  What other measures have been taken to accelerate ecological succession? 

  Sorry if these are too many questions. 

  WT

    ----- Original Message ----- 
    From: Marc Imlay 
    To: apwg at lists.plantconservation.org 
    Sent: Saturday, August 13, 2011 2:25 PM
    Subject: Re: [APWG] Native grassland and forest understory weedings 99%

    At the 200 acre Swann Park in Charles County Maryland, the fifteen principle invasives dominated over 20 acres (very little overlap) in 1998. Presently, the Asiatic Bittersweet dominating 0.5 acres was eradicated, Periwinkle 0.5 acres eradicated, English ivy 0.2 acres eradicated, Ailanthus the 0.5 acres in 6 areas of patches eradicated, Garlic Mustard 2.5 acres reduced to 0.5 acres, Japanese stilt grass 3 acres reduced to 1 acre. Beefsteak Plant 0.5 acres reduced to 0.2 acres, MFR 1 acre now 0.2 acres (no seed producing left), Wineberry 1 acre now eradicated, Chinese Privet 0.25 acres eradicated. Gill-over the ground 0.2 acres almost eradicated. Beal's barberry 0.1 acres eradicated, Japanese barberry 0.2 acres now 0.1 acre. Bamboo 0.2 acres almost eradicated. 

    For Japanese Honeysuckle, 10 acres, the vertical component up the trees was entirely removed by 2000 and half of the horizontal component is removed because it is no longer served by light reaching the verticle component.  25% of the remaining horizontal component was removed.

    About half was removed mechanically with an average of 5 volunteers working once a month for about 10 years and half treated chemically. In summary, about 10% of the herbaceous and shrub cover was non-native as well as cover by two tree species.  It is now about 2% This site will become 30-50% invaded unless we maintain protection in a timely manner.

    Marc Imlay, PhD, Conservation biologist
    Park Ranger Office (301) 442-5657 cell 
    Natural and Historical Resources Division

    The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission

    www.pgparks.com

    -----Original Message-----
    From: apwg-bounces at lists.plantconservation.org [mailto:apwg-bounces at lists.plantconservation.org] On Behalf Of Craig Dremann - Redwood City Seed Company
    Sent: Friday, August 12, 2011 12:48 PM
    To: apwg at lists.plantconservation.org
    Subject: [APWG] Native grassland and forest understory weedings 99%

    Dear Marc and All,

    The remarkable other side to Mark Vande Pol's weeding, is everywhere that was covered with weeds, is now covered by local native plants in the grasslands and forest understory.

    I am pleased to hear that you joined the 99% club at Swann park in
    Maryland-- so how many people over how much time, did it take to do how many acres, with what weeds were you dealing with, and have you ever written up your experience anywhere?

    Any others who belong to the 99% club out there?

    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.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

    _______________________________________________
    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. 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

    No virus found in this message.
    Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
    Version: 10.0.1392 / Virus Database: 1520/3835 - Release Date: 08/15/11

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  _______________________________________________
  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.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  No virus found in this message.
  Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
  Version: 10.0.1392 / Virus Database: 1520/3842 - Release Date: 08/18/11
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.plantconservation.org/pipermail/apwg_lists.plantconservation.org/attachments/20110818/9b5edde6/attachment.html>