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.

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Apr 13th, 1:00 PM Apr 13th, 1:30 PM

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.