The effects of cutting and herbicide treatment on Pteridium aquilinum encroachment

Pakeman, R.J.; Thwaites, R.H.; Due, M.G. Le; Marrs, Rob H.

doi:10.1111/j.1654-109x.2002.tb00550.x

Cited by 20 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…Implementing control methods for short time periods can also complicate control method evaluation, as evaluating multi‐year control efforts can reveal important outcomes. Long‐term studies, such as those focusing on P. aquilinum (Pakeman et al. 2002; Cox et al.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Lessons learned from invasive plant control experiments: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Kettenring¹,

Adams²

2011

Journal of Applied Ecology

498

506

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Summary1. Invasive plants can reduce biodiversity, alter ecosystem functions and have considerable economic impacts. Invasive plant control is therefore the focus of restoration research in invader-dominated ecosystems. Increasing the success of restoration practice requires analysis and synthesis of research findings and assessment of how experiments can be improved. 2. In a systematic review and meta-analysis of invasive plant control research papers, we asked: (i) what control efforts have been most successful; and (ii) what invasive plant control research best translates into successful restoration application? 3. The literature evaluated typically described experiments that were limited in scope. Most plot sizes were small ( <1 m 2 ), time frames were brief (51% evaluated control for one growing season or less) and few species and ecosystems (predominantly grasslands) were studied throughout much of the literature. The scale at which most experiments were conducted potentially limits relevance to the large scales at which restorations typically occur. 4. Most studies focused on invasive species removal and lacked an evaluation of native revegetation following removal. Few studies (33%) included active revegetation even though native species propagule limitation was common. Restoration success was frequently complicated by re-invasion or establishment of a novel invader. 5. Few studies (29%) evaluated the costs of invasive species control. Additionally, control sometimes had undesirable effects, including negative impacts to native species. 6. Synthesis and applications. Despite a sizeable literature on invasive plant control experiments, many large-scale invasive plant management efforts have had only moderate restoration success. We identified several limitations to successful invasive species control including: minimal focus on revegetation with natives after invasive removal, limited spatial and temporal scope of invasive plant control research, and incomplete evaluation of costs and benefits associated with invasive species management actions. We suggest that information needed to inform invasive plant management can be better provided if researchers specifically address these limitations. Many limitations can be addressed by involving managers in research, particularly through adaptive management.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Lessons learned from invasive plant control experiments: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Kettenring¹,

Adams²

2011

Journal of Applied Ecology

498

506

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“…) and the cutting of its fronds (Pakeman et al . ; Roos, Rödel & Beck ). Furthermore, the accumulation of slowly decomposing bracken fronds (Frankland ) depletes seed and seedling banks, constrains natural recruitment (Da Silva & Silva Matos ; Ghorbani et al .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Control of bracken is extremely difficult, and many strategies have been tested without achieving complete bracken elimination (Marrs, Johnson & Duc ; Pakeman et al . ; Le Duc, Pakeman & Marrs ; Stewart et al . ; Roos, Rödel & Beck ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fast‐growing pioneer tree stands as a rapid and effective strategy for bracken elimination in the Neotropics

Douterlungne

Thomas

Levy-Tacher

2013

Journal of Applied Ecology

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Summary1. Large areas of agricultural land around the world are degraded as a consequence of dominance by bracken fern (Pteridium spp.). Tropical production systems based on shifting cultivation and cattle breeding are particularly vulnerable to invasion of this species. In spite of this, effective methods for tropical bracken control are limited. 2. Fast-growing tree species have been used successfully to out-compete aggressively colonizing heliophytes and trigger natural succession. Drawing on a traditional Mayan management technique, we evaluate the potential of the pioneer tree balsa (Ochroma pyramidale) to control Pteridium caudatum in Chiapas, Mexico. We tested different bracken cutting frequencies and balsa propagation methods in a factorial randomized block experiment. Eighteen months later, we quantified bracken biomass under the young balsa canopy. 3. Living bracken rhizome biomass correlated significantly with balsa basal area, leaf litter biomass and understorey light intensity. While bracken rhizomes persisted in control plots, it was completely eradicated in plots with a minimum balsa basal area of 11 m 2 ha À1 . This threshold value was reached in less than 18 months with any of the tested propagation methods (seed broadcasting, direct sowing or nursery seedlings), on the condition of at least monthly bracken cutting during the first six months. 4. The ability of fast-growing broad-leaved pioneer trees like balsa to quickly out-compete bracken fern offers opportunities for large-scale application in tropical rural areas where economic and technical resources are scarce. 5. Synthesis and applications. Mayan subsistence farmers traditionally use balsa to outcompete invasive weeds, including bracken fern. Here, we highlight the usefulness of this method for quick and effective bracken control in southern Mexico. This approach, in combination with balsa's short rotation cycle, creates opportunities to rapidly convert bracken land into forest stands with commercial potential, thus providing local income and increasing the likelihood of adoption by rural people. We encourage further research to test the potential of balsa and other fast-growing pioneer trees species for controlling bracken and similar weeds.

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“…We were also impressed by the work of Pakeman et al (2002). They used randomised block designs at two sites to demonstrate that cutting or herbicide could be used to prevent/delay invasion by Pteridium aquilinum for conservation purposes.…”

Section: Editors' Awardsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Editorial

Wilson¹,

White²,

Bakker³

et al. 2003

Applied Vegetation Science

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The effects of cutting and herbicide treatment on Pteridium aquilinum encroachment

Cited by 20 publications

References 21 publications

Lessons learned from invasive plant control experiments: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Lessons learned from invasive plant control experiments: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Fast‐growing pioneer tree stands as a rapid and effective strategy for bracken elimination in the Neotropics

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