Spotted Knapweed Control and Native Plant Establishment at the Bass River Recreation Area
Presentation Type
Oral and/or Visual Presentation
Presenter Major(s)
Natural Resource Management
Mentor Information
Todd Aschenbach, aschenbt@gvsu.edu; Neil MacDonald, macdonan@gvsu.edu
Department
Biology
Location
Kirkhof Center 1142
Start Date
13-4-2011 1:00 PM
End Date
13-4-2011 1:30 PM
Keywords
Environment, Life Science
Abstract
The invasive spotted knapweed has infested the Bass River Recreation Area in Ottawa County, Michigan. We tested the effects of herbicides and hand pulling on knapweed densities, as well as native plant establishment in the area. We hand pulled mature knapweed from 24 out of a total of 48 5-m by 5-m plots. The removed and residual knapweed biomass was quantified as well as the presence of native forbs and grasses on all plots. In 2010, hand pulling had started to reduce mature knapweed densities on mowed-only plots, while densities actually had increased on herbicide-treated hand-pulled plots as new seedlings began to mature. Juvenile knapweed densities generally decreased on all plots except non-pulled mowed-only plots. Native forbs and grasses have become established on most plots but are still several years away from becoming a dominant and diverse community. Initial results suggest that hand pulling will provide effective knapweed control when applied consistently through time.
Spotted Knapweed Control and Native Plant Establishment at the Bass River Recreation Area
Kirkhof Center 1142
The invasive spotted knapweed has infested the Bass River Recreation Area in Ottawa County, Michigan. We tested the effects of herbicides and hand pulling on knapweed densities, as well as native plant establishment in the area. We hand pulled mature knapweed from 24 out of a total of 48 5-m by 5-m plots. The removed and residual knapweed biomass was quantified as well as the presence of native forbs and grasses on all plots. In 2010, hand pulling had started to reduce mature knapweed densities on mowed-only plots, while densities actually had increased on herbicide-treated hand-pulled plots as new seedlings began to mature. Juvenile knapweed densities generally decreased on all plots except non-pulled mowed-only plots. Native forbs and grasses have become established on most plots but are still several years away from becoming a dominant and diverse community. Initial results suggest that hand pulling will provide effective knapweed control when applied consistently through time.