Abundance and Effective Management of Buckthorn at Blandford Nature Center
Presentation Type
Oral and/or Visual Presentation
Presenter Major(s)
Natural Resource Management
Mentor Information
C. "Griff" Griffin
Department
Biology
Location
Kirkhof Center 1142
Start Date
11-4-2012 9:30 AM
Keywords
Environment
Abstract
The objective of this project is to determine the extent to which the non-native and invasive shrubs, common buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica) and glossy buckthorn (Rhamnus frangula), are invading an area of 16 acres at Blandford Nature Center. This will require the identification and mapping of them in order to record the locations of saplings and adults as well as suggest possible management options for removal and control. Methods will include walking transects within each microecosystem of the area to flag, and count and map the buckthorn. I expect to find a concentration around forest edges and wetlands because buckthorn is water tolerant and thrives in partially shaded conditions. Removal suggestions will include mechanical hand-pulling and cutting, as well as the chemical application of glyphosate. Control suggestions will include neighborhood outreach and education, early detection and rapid response, as well as the restoration of treated areas by replanting native species.
Abundance and Effective Management of Buckthorn at Blandford Nature Center
Kirkhof Center 1142
The objective of this project is to determine the extent to which the non-native and invasive shrubs, common buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica) and glossy buckthorn (Rhamnus frangula), are invading an area of 16 acres at Blandford Nature Center. This will require the identification and mapping of them in order to record the locations of saplings and adults as well as suggest possible management options for removal and control. Methods will include walking transects within each microecosystem of the area to flag, and count and map the buckthorn. I expect to find a concentration around forest edges and wetlands because buckthorn is water tolerant and thrives in partially shaded conditions. Removal suggestions will include mechanical hand-pulling and cutting, as well as the chemical application of glyphosate. Control suggestions will include neighborhood outreach and education, early detection and rapid response, as well as the restoration of treated areas by replanting native species.