[APWG] Invasion and cropping Re: rate of change

[Ty Harrison]

APWG:  I like Tyson's metaphor (sexist?):  Whizzing up wind is what many of use are doing rather than using locally relevant ecological models as he recommends.  Or as others ecologists have said:  weeds and other invaders occupy "emtpy niches in the old corral".  But this only goes so far.  Many weeds can insinuate themselves into these "empty niches" in disturbance prone (drought?) ecosystems which we have out west (eg. Cheatgrass, Cranesbill, Star Thistle, Dalmatian Toadflax etc. etc. etc.).  Ty Harrison

----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Wayne Tyson 
  To: Michael Schenk ; Marc Imlay 
  Cc: apwg at lists.plantconservation.org 
  Sent: Wednesday, February 29, 2012 4:41 PM
  Subject: [APWG] Invasion and cropping Re: rate of change


  Y'all:

  When you change something in an ecosystem, other things change, including "invasions" (aka colonization). Ecosystems tend toward sequestering most or effectively all of the nutrients in the biomass--or try to. Much of colonization consists of a drive in that direction. This is why some ecologists have said that an ecosystem in equilibrium resists invasion. This is a sustained/sustainable situation, but that is far different from the invented and spun context in which "sustainable" is bandied about today. 

  To cut to the chase, modern agronomic practice is 180 degrees out of phase with this principle, hence with ecosystems. Study sites where the best ginseng grows, and study them completely. Then compare those conditions with the ones in which you are attempting to grow it as a crop. If there is any significant difference, it is likely that you are whizzing upwind. 

  This is already indulging in more conjecture than justified by the scant information about the ecological context of your project, so take it with a grain of salt and see if any of the principles mentioned help. I hope so. 

  WT


    ----- Original Message ----- 
    From: Michael Schenk 
    To: Marc Imlay 
    Cc: apwg at lists.plantconservation.org 
    Sent: Tuesday, February 28, 2012 4:21 PM
    Subject: [APWG] rate of change


      Bingo! It's the rate of change that counts. When a new species arrives every thousand years, a time scale roughly consistent with "natural" climate change disturbances, the ecosystem has a chance to respond and integrate the new species.

      If you keep on rocking the boat and never give it a chance to steady out, somebody's gonna get wet. Sometimes I feel like we're arguing over angel dancing space. The fact is, the boat is swamping, and we need to slow down the rate of change.

      I'm a small landholder, trying to plant sustainable harvests of ginseng, etc., in the face of encroachment from garlic mustard, stiltgrass, tearthumb. I don't have the time or resources for massive intervention. I need affordable, time-efficient methods of non-toxic removal.  I've already spent hundreds of hours and many dollars on weedwhackers and native seed. For me, the combination of mechanical removal and planting native grasses is at least holding the stiltgrass steady. I'd like to learn about other successful practices that fit with a modest budget and a working schedule.

      Cheers,
      Mike 

      -----Original Message----- 
      From: Marc Imlay 
      Sent: Feb 28, 2012 7:35 AM 
      To: "'Hempy-Mayer,Kara L (CONTR) - KEC-4'" , apwg at lists.plantconservation.org 
      Cc: rwg at lists.plantconservation.org 
      Subject: Re: [APWG] [RWG] Ecosystem Restoration Collapse 





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