[APWG] NEWS: Invasive mustard strongarms desert plants, animals
Wayne Tyson
landrest at cox.net
Mon Feb 28 01:37:15 CST 2011
APWG:
While I strongly agree that this plant is a truly aggressive colonizer that
needs to be eradicated, not merely "controlled," I also doubt that it can
be, especially given the lack of a coordinated program. Of course, getting
rid of colonies, particularly on the fringes of infestation centers (then
working backwards into the center until the last one is gone, then keeping
up a "seek and destroy" program to kill emerging seedlings at the earliest
possible moment), is still better than nothing, but the most economical (the
cost still will be astronomical). This problem has been going on far too
long already, with the potential cost increasing exponentially every year,
so making the most out of every penny, and every minute of volunteer time is
essential.
While "we" need more and better science on this subject, an initial
management approach can be sketched out if everyone recognizes the need for
continual improvement in the approach (strategy, based as much as possible
on good science) and techniques (tactics, tested for each context). Here are
some suggestions as examples of specifics, but I haven't time to write an
entire management plan. However, a good management plan need not be
voluminous or complicated. A pretty good one could be written and refined
right here on APWG.
This plant favors disturbed environments, so infested areas need to be
closed to vehicular traffic. Management should minimize disturbance (for
example, avoid pulling large plants by treating soon after seedling
emergence with environmentally safe techniques (such as, but not limited to,
very low doses of degradable herbicide, applied only to the target plant,
not, under any circumstances, by spraying). There are commercial wands that
employ a wick to accomplish this quickly; I suspect that they could be made
with plastic pipe if the commercial product is too expensive. Cutting off
the vertical stem, if it is large, followed by a dab of herbicide is an
option later in the season. Cheap, effective, fast, and safe. Easier and
faster, therefore more effective, than pulling out the entire plant, while
minimizing disturbance. Volunteers should be trained to tread softly too,
especially at emergence time, when even foot traffic can adversely affect
indigenous species and increase germination of dormant weed seeds.
Yes, as the article reflects, dispose of stems that have anything close to
mature pods on them. The dried plants do break off and "tumble," so even
collecting these while the pods are present, possibly using a drift fence to
"catch" them, could be worth the effort to minimize dispersal. Dispersal by
vehicles and other anthropogenic means is probably a major means of
dispersal too. Volunteers might set up free wash-down stations for off-road
vehicles (particularly when mud is present) to remove pieces of plants and
seeds. Picking up every piece of pod will save much greater effort later.
The seeds are tough and long-lived, but as far as I know, are not
(apparently--no study) either eaten or dispersed by animals to any great
extent.
I'm sure others will have other suggestions; this is just to prime the pump.
WT
----- Original Message -----
From: "Olivia Kwong" <plant at plantconservation.org>
To: <apwg at lists.plantconservation.org>
Sent: Thursday, February 10, 2011 7:36 AM
Subject: [APWG] NEWS: Invasive mustard strongarms desert plants, animals
> http://www.hidesertstar.com/articles/2011/02/09/the_desert_trail/features/doc4d532335ee508828361225.txt
>
> Invasive mustard strongarms desert plants, animals
> By Courtney Vaughn
> The Desert Trail
> Published: Wednesday, February 9, 2011 5:38 PM CST
>
> MORONGO BASIN -- The Morongo Basin's ecology is under siege by non-native
> Sahara mustard plants that are cropping up in greater numbers throughout
> Joshua Tree National Park and on other lands across the Hi-Desert.
>
> See the link above for the full article text.
>
>
>
>
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