Fire, Soil, Native Species and Control of <em>Phalaris arundinacea</em> in a Wetland Recovery Project.

<p>Southern Appalachian <em>Phalaris arundinacea</em> control was investigated by: 1) correlating cover and species richness with soil characteristics across transects; 2) burning and herbicide use to determine conditions facilitating native plant establishment; and 3) hemi-parasitic <em>Pedicularis lanceolata</em> tested as a biological control.</p> <p><em>Phalaris</em> cover was correlated with subsoil consolidation; areas without <em>Phalaris</em> had consolidated subsoil while <em>Phalaris</em> at >50% cover established on loose soil. <em>Phalaris</em> cover inhibited species richness (r²=0.78). No soil characteristic predicted species richness.</p> <p>Herbicide reduced <em>Phalaris</em> cover and aerial biomass by 23% and 63% respectively, compared to controls. Burning was ineffective. Two summers after herbicide <em>Phalaris</em> subterranean biomass remained 32% less than control biomass. Monocot transplants established readily following herbicide but dicot transplants were less likely to survive.</p> <p><em>Pedicularis</em> parasitized <em>Phalaris</em>. <em>Pedicularis</em>’ effect on a mixed species total (r²=0.735) was non-linear; implying greater effect on large plants. Non-parasitic native plant species competition reduced biomass of <em>Phalaris</em> by 40%.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

MS (Master of Science)

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis - unrestricted

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Biology

Year dc:date.issued

2003

Author dc:creator

• Foster, Richard Douglas

• wetland restoration
• biological control
• invasive species
• Pedicularis lanceolata
• Phalaris arundinacea
• soil conditions
• controlled burn
• hemiparasitism
• Biology
• Life Sciences

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright by the authors.

Repository record dc:identifier

https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/773

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dc.etsu.edu:etd-1930