Long-term control of the invasive tree Ailanthus altissima: Insights from Mediterranean protected forests

Constán-Nava, Soraya; Bonet, Andreu; Pastor, Estrella; Lledó, M. J.

doi:10.1016/j.foreco.2010.06.030

Cited by 65 publications

(62 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…tissima in Carrascal de la Font Roja Natural Park (Alicante Province, SE Spain), where the first signs of recovery by the natural vegetation were observed 5 years after the treatments were applied (Constán-Nava et al 2010).…”

Section: Abstract: Invasive Alien Species Management Strategies Conmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For instance, occasional fires favors A. altissima spread because of its impressive capacity of resprouting by injured stumps and superficial roots (Meggaro & Vilà 2002, DiTomaso et al 2006. In addition to damaging ecosystems, A. altissima causes serious problems for forest management (Meggaro & Vilà 2002, Constán-Nava et al 2010 because it competes directly with the woody species of silvicultural interest and makes forest utilization more difficult and expensive. Under favorable conditions, A. altissima can form almost pure stands, which obviously reduce biodiversity and change the abiotic characteristics of the ecosystems, including the chemical and physical characteristics of the soil (Vilà et al 2006).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Because of the serious damage caused by A. altissima worldwide, many control trials have been carried out in many different regions, including Mediterranean Europe, the United States, and Canada (Burch & Zedaker 2003, Meloche & Murphy 2006, DiTomaso & Kyser 2007, Constán-Nava et al 2010, Bowker & Stringer 2011. These field experiences have clearly demonstrated that the eradication of A. altissima is extremely difficult and expensive, as mechanical treatment alone (cutting the trunk at the root collar or girdling the tree) does not kill the tree, but rather stimulates vigorous resprouting from the remaining trunk and roots (Burch & Zedaker 2003, Basnou & Vilà 2009, Kowarik & Säumel 2007.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These field experiences have clearly demonstrated that the eradication of A. altissima is extremely difficult and expensive, as mechanical treatment alone (cutting the trunk at the root collar or girdling the tree) does not kill the tree, but rather stimulates vigorous resprouting from the remaining trunk and roots (Burch & Zedaker 2003, Basnou & Vilà 2009, Kowarik & Säumel 2007. Even a "double-cut stump treatment" performed each year for 5 consecutive years failed to significantly reduce the ability to resprout (Constán-Nava et al 2010). Only the application of herbicides combined with physical treatment has effectively controlled regrowth and significantly reduced the presence of A. altissima in invaded areas ( Ailanthus altissima is a well-known invasive tree in many parts of the world showing an outstanding ability to establish within woodlands and other less-disturbed habitats.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Stem-injection of herbicide for control of Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle: a practical source of power for drilling holes in stems

Badalamenti¹,

Mantia²

2013

iForest

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© iForest -Biogeosciences and Forestry IntroductionInvasive species are recognized as one of the main threats to European forests, especially at regional level (Requardt et al. 2009). One of the most dangerous alien tree all around the world is Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle (hereafter A. altissima), which is particularly widespread in temperate and Mediterranean regions (Kowarik & Säumel 2007). The species was introduced from China to Europe in the second half of the 18 th century, and was initially used as an ornamental plant but later also for the urban forestation and for erosion control of steep slopes (Badalamenti et al. 2012 Affre et al. 2010). One of the main reason why A. altissima is a successful invader in Mediterranean-type regions is its ability to cope with summer drought. In particular, this species is able to reduce water loss through a marked reduction in stomatal conductance and in root hydraulic conductivity (Graves et al. 1991, Trifilò et al. 2004.Like other Mediterranean island ecosystems, Sicily has experienced substantial A. altissima invasion, and despite this its establishment and spread process have seldom been documented or studied. In particular this tree is able to invade a wide range of pedo-climatic environments and is increasingly common throughout the island in natural and semi-natural habitats, from sea level up to 1300 m a.s.l. (Badalamenti et al. 2012).Because of the serious damage caused by A. altissima worldwide, many control trials have been carried out in many different regions, including Mediterranean Europe, the United States, and Canada (Burch & Zedaker 2003, Meloche & Murphy 2006, DiTomaso & Kyser 2007, Constán-Nava et al. 2010, Bowker & Stringer 2011. These field experiences have clearly demonstrated that the eradication of A. altissima is extremely difficult and expensive, as mechanical treatment alone (cutting the trunk at the root collar or girdling the tree) does not kill the tree, but rather stimulates vigorous resprouting from the remaining trunk and roots

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Section: Abstract: Invasive Alien Species Management Strategies Conmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Stem-injection of herbicide for control of Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle: a practical source of power for drilling holes in stems

Badalamenti¹,

Mantia²

2013

iForest

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“…Among natural habitats, wetlands and coastal areas are relatively richer in IAS than other habitats, suggesting that those habitats may suffer a greater impact (Chytrý & al., 2009;Arianoutsou & al., 2010). In contrast, Mediterranean mature and stable woodlands, dominated by evergreen shrubs and trees, seem to be quite resistant to invasion (Affre & al., 2010;Arianoutsou & al., 2010;), although human disturbance, such as wildfires or silvicultural interventions, may alter canopy structure and so understory light availability, thus allowing the establishment of heliophilous tree species (Constán-Nava & al., 2010;Badalamenti & al., 2012); invasions by such species have already caused a reduction in species richness and a significant alteration of functioning of Mediterranean ecosystems (Vilà & al., 2006;Traveset & al., 2008). However, the major ecological impacts caused by IAS have probably yet to be realized, because a worsening of the current situation is expected, both in terms of number and spread, and consequently of their likely damaging effects.…”

Section: Plant Invasion Within the Mediterraneanmentioning

confidence: 99%

<i>Acacia cyclops</i> A. Cunn. ex G. Don (Leguminosae) in Italy: first cases of naturalization

Pasta¹,

Badalamenti²,

Mantia³

2012

Anal. Jard. Bot. Madr.

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The first two cases of naturalization of Acacia cyclops are reported for Italy. Young trees were observed growing in the wild some 15 years ago on Linosa (Pelagie Islands, Strait of Sicily). A decade later, this alien plant should no longer be considered as a casual, since a very intensive process of self-sown regeneration has been observed in some plantations on Lampedusa, the major island of the same Archipelago. The available literature suggests the need for careful monitoring of the ongoing invasion process, as A. cyclops has already shown a very invasive behaviour elsewhere within Mediterranean-type biomes due to its ability to withstand high environmental stresses. As migrating birds are suspected to have played an important role in facilitating the arrival of A. cyclops, further propagules are likely to reach the islands in the future. We recommend that new plantations of A. cyclops should be forbidden, but that extant naturalized populations should be managed instead of eradicating them. In fact, the effect of Acacia plantations warrants investigation at different scales in order to assess their impact on local plant-diversity and ecological succession processes. Se muestran los dos primeros casos de naturalización de Acacia cyclops para el territorio italiano. Se observó que las plántulas de este arbol crecen en forma silvestre hace unos 15 años en Linosa (islas Pelagias, estrecho de Sicilia). Una década después, ya no puede ser considerada una xenófita casual ya que se observó una regeneración muy intensa en algunos proyectos de reforestación en Lampedusa, la isla más grande del mismo archipié-lago. Publicaciones anteriores sugieren la necesidad de un monitoreo cuidadoso del proceso de invasión en curso, ya que A. cyclops ha expresado un comportamiento altamente invasivo en otros biomas de tipo mediterrá-neo, debido a su alta tolerancia al estrés ambiental. Dado que se sospecha que las aves migratorias han jugado un papel importante en la llegada de A. cyclops, es probable que en el futuro otros propágulos lleguen a las islas Pelagias. Se recomienda la prohibición de nuevas plantas, aunque también el manejo de poblaciones artificiales ya presentes en vez de su erradicación. El efecto de la forestación con A. cyclops, de hecho, merece ser investigado a diferentes escalas, a fin de aclarar su impacto tanto en la diversidad florística local como en los procesos de sucesión ecológica.Palabras clave: Xenófitas, Mediterráneo, invasiones biológicas, flora vascular insular.Anales del Jardín Botánico de Madrid 69(2) : 193-200, julio-diciembre 2012.

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Restoration of Mediterranean‐Type Woodlands and Shrublands

Vallejo

Allen

Aronson

et al. 2012

Restoration Ecology

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There are only five mediterranean-climate regions (MCRs) on Earth-the Mediterranean Basin, most of California, central Chile, southern South Africa, and south-central and southwestern Australia. They all have cool, or cold, and relatively wet winters alternating with long, hot, and dry summers. Spring and autumn seasons are ephemeral in comparison, and highly variable. During much of the year, droughts lasting weeks or even months are frequent, with grave consequences on all biota, since water is the key limiting factor for growth and well-being of all organisms, including humans. Yet, biodiversity is unusually high in all five MCRs. Well adapted woodlands and shrublands, which are the subject of this chapter, are numerous and noteworthy, in ecological, cultural, and socioeconomic terms. Climate, geology, and evolutionary biogeography of MCRs have all contributed to alpha, beta, and gamma biodiversity of these regions. In the Mediterranean Basin, California, and Chile, the predominantly young, orogenic systems produce intense geomorphologic dynamics with poorly developed, shallow soils (Bradbury 1981). The uneven relief with steep slopes in large parts of the territory and spreading of unconsolidated and soft substrata increase the risk of soil degradation. In sharp contrast, MCR landscapes in South Africa and Australia are ancient and stable; as a result, they have highly weathered and leached soils that are very poor in nutrients (Rundel 1998). Human land use histories have also contributed to ecological diversity in all five regions, and must be taken into account when contemplating or undertaking ecological restoration. Natural wildfires are common in most of the five MCRs, owing to the high accumulation of fuels leading to enhanced flammability in summer, the frequency of lightning storms and, in some areas, periodic but intense, hot and dry winds such as the Santa Ana in California, and the Mistral in southern France. An exception is central Chile where the Andean Cordillera protects the MCR area from summer storms and lightning (Rundel 1998). As a result, central Chilean sclerophyllous vegetation is ill-adapted to frequent fires, never having had selective pressure from this form of disturbance over evolutionary time. Nonetheless, in recent decades anthropogenic fires have become much more common, and this is causing profound changes in the characteristic features of central Chilean landscapes (Armesto et al. 2009). In spite of the similarities in climate, many striking differences can be found among MCRs, in addition to fire regime. As mentioned, historical differences in land use practices, including the time span of degradation processes, socioeconomic dependence on local resources, and cultural perceptions of the relationship between humans and nature all have great impact on biota and ecosystem dynamics. The Mediterranean Basin is the only MCR in the so-called Old World, where humans have practised agriculture for as long as 13 millennia, in some areas (Purugganan & Fuller 2009). The process, initiate...

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Long-term control of the invasive tree Ailanthus altissima: Insights from Mediterranean protected forests

Cited by 65 publications

References 25 publications

Stem-injection of herbicide for control of Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle: a practical source of power for drilling holes in stems

Stem-injection of herbicide for control of Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle: a practical source of power for drilling holes in stems

<i>Acacia cyclops</i> A. Cunn. ex G. Don (Leguminosae) in Italy: first cases of naturalization

Restoration of Mediterranean‐Type Woodlands and Shrublands

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