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R H Marrs - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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change to ecosystem properties through changing the dominant species impact of Pteridium aquilinum control and heathland restoration treatments on selected soil properties
Journal of Environmental Management, 2018Co-Authors: Gregg Milligan, E S Cox, Robin J Pakeman, M Le G Duc, K E Booth, Leslie Connor, Sabena Blackbird, R H MarrsAbstract:It is well known that soils are influenced by the plant species that grow in them. Here we consider the effects of management-induced changes to plant communities and their soils during restoration within a 20-year manipulative experiment where the aim was to change a late-successional community dominated by the weed, Pteridium aquilinum, to an earlier-successional grass-heath one. The ecological restoration treatments altered the above- and below-ground components of the community substantially. Untreated plots maintained a dense Pteridium cover with little understory vegetation, cutting treatments produce significant reductions of Pteridium, whereas herbicide (asulam) produced significant immediate reductions in Pteridium but regressed towards the untreated plots within 10 years. Thereafter, all asulam-treated plots were re-treated in year 11, and then were spot-sprayed annually. Both cutting and asulam treatments reduced frond density to almost zero and resulted in a grass-heath vegetation. There was also a massive change in biomass distribution, untreated plots had a large above-ground biomass/necromass that was much reduced where Pteridium was controlled. Below-ground in treated plots, there was a replacement of the substantive Pteridium rhizome mass with a much greater root mass of other species. The combined effects of Pteridium-control and restoration treatment, reduced soil total C and N as and available P concentrations, but increased soil pH and available N. Soil biological activity was also affected with a reduction in soil N mineralization rate, but an increased soil-root respiration. Multivariate analysis showed a clear trend along a pH/organic matter gradient, with movement along it correlated to management intensity from the untreated plots with low pH/high organic matter and treated plots with to a higher pH/lower organic matter in the sequence asulam treatment, cut once per year to cut twice per year. The role that these changed soil conditions might have in restricting Pteridium recovery are discussed.
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the effectiveness of old and new strategies for the long term control of Pteridium aquilinum an 8 year test
Weed Research, 2016Co-Authors: G Milligan, Josu G. Alday, E S Cox, Robin J Pakeman, M Le G Duc, Victor M Santana, Hugh A Mcallister, R H MarrsAbstract:There is a need for management strategies to control dominant perennial weeds and restore seminatural communities. We compared the effects of five weed control treatments on dense Pteridium aquilinum relative to an untreated experimental control over an 8‐year period with the aim of restoring acid grassland. The weed control treatments tested were as follows: cutting and bruising, both twice and thrice annually, and herbicide treatment (asulam in year 1 followed by annual spot retreatment of all emergent fronds). Pteridium aquilinum performance and plant species composition were monitored. Data were analysed using Bayesian mixed‐effect models and multivariate techniques. Cutting twice and thrice yearly and the asulam treatment all reduced frond density to zero; both bruising treatments were ineffective. The plant communities in the cut and asulam‐treated plots showed differences from the untreated and bruised plots; the asulam‐treated plots contained more ruderal species and the cut plots were more typical of acid grassland. Acid grassland recovery was fastest in the asulam‐treated plots, but the cut plots caught up after approximately 5 years. There were two important conclusions. First, an intractable weed like P. aquilinum can be eradicated and a vegetation more suited for grazing can be achieved by the continuous application of some treatments over many years. Here, success was achieved by cutting twice/thrice annually, or by a single asulam application followed by annual spot spraying of all emergent fronds for 8 years. Second, bruising, a treatment favoured by some conservation organisations, did not work and cannot be recommended. The use of long‐term, continuously applied treatments might be considered for all perennial weeds with large underground root/rhizome systems.
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control of Pteridium aquilinum meta analysis of a multi site study in the uk
Annals of Botany, 2008Co-Authors: Gavin B Stewart, E S Cox, Mike Le G Duc, Robin J Pakeman, Andrew S Pullin, R H MarrsAbstract:†Background and Aims A great deal of money is spent controlling invasive weeds as part of international and national policies. It is essential that the funded treatments work across the region in which the policies operate. We argue that experiments across multiple sites are required to validate these programs as results from single sites may be misleading. Here, the control of Pteridium aquilinum (bracken) is used as a test example to address the following four questions. (1) Does the effectiveness of P. aquilinum-control treatments vary across sites? (2) Is the best treatment identified in previous research (cutting twice per year) consistent at all sites, and if not why not? (3) Is treatment performance related to P. aquilinum rhizome mass, litter cover or litter depth at the various sites? (4) Does successful P. aquilinum control influence species richness? †Methods Pteridium aquilinum-control treatments were monitored for 10 years using six replicated experiments and analysed using meta-analysis. Meta-regressions were used to explore heterogeneity between sites. †Key Results The effectiveness of treatments varied between sites depending on the measure used to assess P. aquilinum performance. In general, cutting twice per year was the most successful treatment but on some sites other, less expensive treatments were as good. The effectiveness of treatments at different sites was not related to rhizome mass, but the effectiveness of most applied treatments were inversely related to post-control litter. Effective treatment was also associated with high species richness. †Conclusions It is concluded that successful development of national weed control programs requires multi-site experimental approaches. Here, meta-analyses demonstrate that variation in effectiveness between sites could be explained in part by pre-specified variables. Reliance on data from a single site for policy formulation is therefore clearly dangerous.
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a multi site assessment of the effectiveness of Pteridium aquilinum control in great britain
Applied Vegetation Science, 2007Co-Authors: E S Cox, Robin J Pakeman, R H Marrs, M Le G DucAbstract:ABSTRACT Questions: The objectives of this study were to assess the effect of Pteridium aquilinum (bracken) control treatments, at the national scale, and the impact of restoration practices, at the local scale, on P. aquilinum performance. Hypotheses: 1. Geographical location (locally between and within sites) affects the control of P. aquilinum through time. 2. Are the P. aquilinum control treatments successful at all sites, and if so which ones? 3. The treatments applied at the individual site level to restore vegetation influences the performance of P. aquilinum through time. Location: Four geographically distinct acid grassland and heathland sites infested with P. aquilinum across Great Britain. Methods: Six main-plot, bracken control treatments were applied to all sites with site-specific vegetation restoration treatments. Response variables (P. aquilinum cover, frond length and density) were monitored twice yearly, in June and August between 1993 and 2003. Results: Between- and within-site spatial ...
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effects of experimental restoration on the diaspore bank of an upland moor degraded by Pteridium aquilinum invasion
Land Degradation & Development, 2007Co-Authors: Robin J Pakeman, M Le G Duc, Hugh A Mcallister, J Ghorbani, R H MarrsAbstract:We assessed the effects of a range of experimental restoration treatments on the diaspore bank (seed and spores) on an upland moor infested by dense Pteridium aquilinum, 9 years after implementation. Experimental treatment included both Pteridium control (cutting, spraying and combinations) and restoration treatments (grazing, seeding); both univariate and multivariate analyses of variance were used to assess significant effects. The seed bank was made up largely of Calluna vulgaris, Juncus effusus and Agrostis capillaris with the majority germinating from the litter (38 per cent) and upper soil layer (53 per cent). Soil depth influenced species composition and density, with greatest numbers near the surface, in keeping with a negative exponential response. In the lowest soil depth only ferns were abundant. A. capillaris seed density was greater in the most disturbed treatment (cut twice yearly with grazing), whereas C. vulgaris was greater in the low-disturbance treatment (herbicide application only). The diaspore bank composition response identified that certain treatment combinations had a grass-heath composition in the upper soil layer, which may assist future restoration. There was a significant effect of C. vulgaris seed addition detected in the Pteridium litter layer suggesting that this litter acted as a barrier to seed transfer to the soil. There was little evidence of coupling developing between the diaspore bank and vegetation. The most successful treatment combination was cutting twice per yr with low grazing plus C. vulgaris addition as brash. Where seed is added the Pteridium litter should be disturbed. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Robin J Pakeman - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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change to ecosystem properties through changing the dominant species impact of Pteridium aquilinum control and heathland restoration treatments on selected soil properties
Journal of Environmental Management, 2018Co-Authors: Gregg Milligan, E S Cox, Robin J Pakeman, M Le G Duc, K E Booth, Leslie Connor, Sabena Blackbird, R H MarrsAbstract:It is well known that soils are influenced by the plant species that grow in them. Here we consider the effects of management-induced changes to plant communities and their soils during restoration within a 20-year manipulative experiment where the aim was to change a late-successional community dominated by the weed, Pteridium aquilinum, to an earlier-successional grass-heath one. The ecological restoration treatments altered the above- and below-ground components of the community substantially. Untreated plots maintained a dense Pteridium cover with little understory vegetation, cutting treatments produce significant reductions of Pteridium, whereas herbicide (asulam) produced significant immediate reductions in Pteridium but regressed towards the untreated plots within 10 years. Thereafter, all asulam-treated plots were re-treated in year 11, and then were spot-sprayed annually. Both cutting and asulam treatments reduced frond density to almost zero and resulted in a grass-heath vegetation. There was also a massive change in biomass distribution, untreated plots had a large above-ground biomass/necromass that was much reduced where Pteridium was controlled. Below-ground in treated plots, there was a replacement of the substantive Pteridium rhizome mass with a much greater root mass of other species. The combined effects of Pteridium-control and restoration treatment, reduced soil total C and N as and available P concentrations, but increased soil pH and available N. Soil biological activity was also affected with a reduction in soil N mineralization rate, but an increased soil-root respiration. Multivariate analysis showed a clear trend along a pH/organic matter gradient, with movement along it correlated to management intensity from the untreated plots with low pH/high organic matter and treated plots with to a higher pH/lower organic matter in the sequence asulam treatment, cut once per year to cut twice per year. The role that these changed soil conditions might have in restricting Pteridium recovery are discussed.
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the effectiveness of old and new strategies for the long term control of Pteridium aquilinum an 8 year test
Weed Research, 2016Co-Authors: G Milligan, Josu G. Alday, E S Cox, Robin J Pakeman, M Le G Duc, Victor M Santana, Hugh A Mcallister, R H MarrsAbstract:There is a need for management strategies to control dominant perennial weeds and restore seminatural communities. We compared the effects of five weed control treatments on dense Pteridium aquilinum relative to an untreated experimental control over an 8‐year period with the aim of restoring acid grassland. The weed control treatments tested were as follows: cutting and bruising, both twice and thrice annually, and herbicide treatment (asulam in year 1 followed by annual spot retreatment of all emergent fronds). Pteridium aquilinum performance and plant species composition were monitored. Data were analysed using Bayesian mixed‐effect models and multivariate techniques. Cutting twice and thrice yearly and the asulam treatment all reduced frond density to zero; both bruising treatments were ineffective. The plant communities in the cut and asulam‐treated plots showed differences from the untreated and bruised plots; the asulam‐treated plots contained more ruderal species and the cut plots were more typical of acid grassland. Acid grassland recovery was fastest in the asulam‐treated plots, but the cut plots caught up after approximately 5 years. There were two important conclusions. First, an intractable weed like P. aquilinum can be eradicated and a vegetation more suited for grazing can be achieved by the continuous application of some treatments over many years. Here, success was achieved by cutting twice/thrice annually, or by a single asulam application followed by annual spot spraying of all emergent fronds for 8 years. Second, bruising, a treatment favoured by some conservation organisations, did not work and cannot be recommended. The use of long‐term, continuously applied treatments might be considered for all perennial weeds with large underground root/rhizome systems.
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control of Pteridium aquilinum meta analysis of a multi site study in the uk
Annals of Botany, 2008Co-Authors: Gavin B Stewart, E S Cox, Mike Le G Duc, Robin J Pakeman, Andrew S Pullin, R H MarrsAbstract:†Background and Aims A great deal of money is spent controlling invasive weeds as part of international and national policies. It is essential that the funded treatments work across the region in which the policies operate. We argue that experiments across multiple sites are required to validate these programs as results from single sites may be misleading. Here, the control of Pteridium aquilinum (bracken) is used as a test example to address the following four questions. (1) Does the effectiveness of P. aquilinum-control treatments vary across sites? (2) Is the best treatment identified in previous research (cutting twice per year) consistent at all sites, and if not why not? (3) Is treatment performance related to P. aquilinum rhizome mass, litter cover or litter depth at the various sites? (4) Does successful P. aquilinum control influence species richness? †Methods Pteridium aquilinum-control treatments were monitored for 10 years using six replicated experiments and analysed using meta-analysis. Meta-regressions were used to explore heterogeneity between sites. †Key Results The effectiveness of treatments varied between sites depending on the measure used to assess P. aquilinum performance. In general, cutting twice per year was the most successful treatment but on some sites other, less expensive treatments were as good. The effectiveness of treatments at different sites was not related to rhizome mass, but the effectiveness of most applied treatments were inversely related to post-control litter. Effective treatment was also associated with high species richness. †Conclusions It is concluded that successful development of national weed control programs requires multi-site experimental approaches. Here, meta-analyses demonstrate that variation in effectiveness between sites could be explained in part by pre-specified variables. Reliance on data from a single site for policy formulation is therefore clearly dangerous.
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a multi site assessment of the effectiveness of Pteridium aquilinum control in great britain
Applied Vegetation Science, 2007Co-Authors: E S Cox, Robin J Pakeman, R H Marrs, M Le G DucAbstract:ABSTRACT Questions: The objectives of this study were to assess the effect of Pteridium aquilinum (bracken) control treatments, at the national scale, and the impact of restoration practices, at the local scale, on P. aquilinum performance. Hypotheses: 1. Geographical location (locally between and within sites) affects the control of P. aquilinum through time. 2. Are the P. aquilinum control treatments successful at all sites, and if so which ones? 3. The treatments applied at the individual site level to restore vegetation influences the performance of P. aquilinum through time. Location: Four geographically distinct acid grassland and heathland sites infested with P. aquilinum across Great Britain. Methods: Six main-plot, bracken control treatments were applied to all sites with site-specific vegetation restoration treatments. Response variables (P. aquilinum cover, frond length and density) were monitored twice yearly, in June and August between 1993 and 2003. Results: Between- and within-site spatial ...
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effects of experimental restoration on the diaspore bank of an upland moor degraded by Pteridium aquilinum invasion
Land Degradation & Development, 2007Co-Authors: Robin J Pakeman, M Le G Duc, Hugh A Mcallister, J Ghorbani, R H MarrsAbstract:We assessed the effects of a range of experimental restoration treatments on the diaspore bank (seed and spores) on an upland moor infested by dense Pteridium aquilinum, 9 years after implementation. Experimental treatment included both Pteridium control (cutting, spraying and combinations) and restoration treatments (grazing, seeding); both univariate and multivariate analyses of variance were used to assess significant effects. The seed bank was made up largely of Calluna vulgaris, Juncus effusus and Agrostis capillaris with the majority germinating from the litter (38 per cent) and upper soil layer (53 per cent). Soil depth influenced species composition and density, with greatest numbers near the surface, in keeping with a negative exponential response. In the lowest soil depth only ferns were abundant. A. capillaris seed density was greater in the most disturbed treatment (cut twice yearly with grazing), whereas C. vulgaris was greater in the low-disturbance treatment (herbicide application only). The diaspore bank composition response identified that certain treatment combinations had a grass-heath composition in the upper soil layer, which may assist future restoration. There was a significant effect of C. vulgaris seed addition detected in the Pteridium litter layer suggesting that this litter acted as a barrier to seed transfer to the soil. There was little evidence of coupling developing between the diaspore bank and vegetation. The most successful treatment combination was cutting twice per yr with low grazing plus C. vulgaris addition as brash. Where seed is added the Pteridium litter should be disturbed. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Christian Ginisty - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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light mediated influence of three understorey species calluna vulgaris Pteridium aquilinum molinia caerulea on the growth of pinus sylvestris seedlings
European Journal of Forest Research, 2011Co-Authors: Noemie Gaudio, Philippe Balandier, Gwenael Philippe, Yann Dumas, Frederic Jean, Christian GinistyAbstract:Pinus sylvestris is a pioneer species and as such is relatively light-demanding. Therefore, its natural regeneration may be inhibited by some forest understorey species that develop with light and can then reduce light as well as soil resources (i.e. nutrients and water) availability for the pine seedlings. To better quantify these effects, we designed two experiments in a nursery. The first one aimed at studying the influence of density of three common understorey species in temperate forests (Calluna vulgaris, Pteridium aquilinum and Molinia caerulea) on pine seedlings survival and growth. The purpose of the second experiment was to quantify the development of these three species relatively to light that varied in our experiment from 6 to 100% of relative light. An increase in weed density, i.e. a concomitant decrease of light availability and soil moisture content, resulted in reduced pine seedlings growth (diameter and biomass) and higher stem height/diameter ratio but had no significant effect on seedlings survival. Height and cover of the three weedy species followed a non linear relationship relative to light availability. Results are discussed according to the quantity of available light as well as its quality assessed through the red/far red ratio, both for the pine seedlings development and weed species height and cover, and their interactions.
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Light-mediated influence of three understorey species (Calluna vulgaris, Pteridium aquilinum, Molinia caerulea) on the growth of Pinus sylvestris seedlings
European Journal of Forest Research, 2011Co-Authors: Noemie Gaudio, Philippe Balandier, Gwenael Philippe, Yann Dumas, Frederic Jean, Christian GinistyAbstract:Depending on its developmental and morphological characteristics, shrubby or herbaceous understorey vegetation interacts differently with tree seedlings during the regeneration process. In acidic temperate forests, three common understorey plant species-Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hull, Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn in Kersten, Molinia caerulea (L.) Moench-are known to rapidly colonize forest gaps. Therefore, they often develop at the expense of light-demanding Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) seedlings. An experiment was set up in a nursery in central France to mimic early competition occurring in a newly created gap between Scots pine seedlings and these three common understorey species (young forest-harvested individuals planted at 5 densities from 0 to 57 plants m(-2)). Pine seedling survival and growth (height, diameter, shoot and root biomass) and a functional trait (leaf mass on an area basis, LMA) were measured for 2 years, and cross-analysed against plant density, plant cover and available light. When understorey plant density increased, pine seedling diameter growth and biomass were negatively affected by all three plant species; height growth only slowed beneath Pteridium. These negative effects were closely linked to competition for light beneath Pteridium and Molinia. The application of the Beer-Lambert law gave an extinction coefficient k that was high for Pteridium, intermediate for Molinia and much lower for Calluna. LMA was confirmed as an effective foliar trait to reflect the degree of stress undergone by pine seedlings.
M Le G Duc - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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change to ecosystem properties through changing the dominant species impact of Pteridium aquilinum control and heathland restoration treatments on selected soil properties
Journal of Environmental Management, 2018Co-Authors: Gregg Milligan, E S Cox, Robin J Pakeman, M Le G Duc, K E Booth, Leslie Connor, Sabena Blackbird, R H MarrsAbstract:It is well known that soils are influenced by the plant species that grow in them. Here we consider the effects of management-induced changes to plant communities and their soils during restoration within a 20-year manipulative experiment where the aim was to change a late-successional community dominated by the weed, Pteridium aquilinum, to an earlier-successional grass-heath one. The ecological restoration treatments altered the above- and below-ground components of the community substantially. Untreated plots maintained a dense Pteridium cover with little understory vegetation, cutting treatments produce significant reductions of Pteridium, whereas herbicide (asulam) produced significant immediate reductions in Pteridium but regressed towards the untreated plots within 10 years. Thereafter, all asulam-treated plots were re-treated in year 11, and then were spot-sprayed annually. Both cutting and asulam treatments reduced frond density to almost zero and resulted in a grass-heath vegetation. There was also a massive change in biomass distribution, untreated plots had a large above-ground biomass/necromass that was much reduced where Pteridium was controlled. Below-ground in treated plots, there was a replacement of the substantive Pteridium rhizome mass with a much greater root mass of other species. The combined effects of Pteridium-control and restoration treatment, reduced soil total C and N as and available P concentrations, but increased soil pH and available N. Soil biological activity was also affected with a reduction in soil N mineralization rate, but an increased soil-root respiration. Multivariate analysis showed a clear trend along a pH/organic matter gradient, with movement along it correlated to management intensity from the untreated plots with low pH/high organic matter and treated plots with to a higher pH/lower organic matter in the sequence asulam treatment, cut once per year to cut twice per year. The role that these changed soil conditions might have in restricting Pteridium recovery are discussed.
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the effectiveness of old and new strategies for the long term control of Pteridium aquilinum an 8 year test
Weed Research, 2016Co-Authors: G Milligan, Josu G. Alday, E S Cox, Robin J Pakeman, M Le G Duc, Victor M Santana, Hugh A Mcallister, R H MarrsAbstract:There is a need for management strategies to control dominant perennial weeds and restore seminatural communities. We compared the effects of five weed control treatments on dense Pteridium aquilinum relative to an untreated experimental control over an 8‐year period with the aim of restoring acid grassland. The weed control treatments tested were as follows: cutting and bruising, both twice and thrice annually, and herbicide treatment (asulam in year 1 followed by annual spot retreatment of all emergent fronds). Pteridium aquilinum performance and plant species composition were monitored. Data were analysed using Bayesian mixed‐effect models and multivariate techniques. Cutting twice and thrice yearly and the asulam treatment all reduced frond density to zero; both bruising treatments were ineffective. The plant communities in the cut and asulam‐treated plots showed differences from the untreated and bruised plots; the asulam‐treated plots contained more ruderal species and the cut plots were more typical of acid grassland. Acid grassland recovery was fastest in the asulam‐treated plots, but the cut plots caught up after approximately 5 years. There were two important conclusions. First, an intractable weed like P. aquilinum can be eradicated and a vegetation more suited for grazing can be achieved by the continuous application of some treatments over many years. Here, success was achieved by cutting twice/thrice annually, or by a single asulam application followed by annual spot spraying of all emergent fronds for 8 years. Second, bruising, a treatment favoured by some conservation organisations, did not work and cannot be recommended. The use of long‐term, continuously applied treatments might be considered for all perennial weeds with large underground root/rhizome systems.
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a multi site assessment of the effectiveness of Pteridium aquilinum control in great britain
Applied Vegetation Science, 2007Co-Authors: E S Cox, Robin J Pakeman, R H Marrs, M Le G DucAbstract:ABSTRACT Questions: The objectives of this study were to assess the effect of Pteridium aquilinum (bracken) control treatments, at the national scale, and the impact of restoration practices, at the local scale, on P. aquilinum performance. Hypotheses: 1. Geographical location (locally between and within sites) affects the control of P. aquilinum through time. 2. Are the P. aquilinum control treatments successful at all sites, and if so which ones? 3. The treatments applied at the individual site level to restore vegetation influences the performance of P. aquilinum through time. Location: Four geographically distinct acid grassland and heathland sites infested with P. aquilinum across Great Britain. Methods: Six main-plot, bracken control treatments were applied to all sites with site-specific vegetation restoration treatments. Response variables (P. aquilinum cover, frond length and density) were monitored twice yearly, in June and August between 1993 and 2003. Results: Between- and within-site spatial ...
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effects of experimental restoration on the diaspore bank of an upland moor degraded by Pteridium aquilinum invasion
Land Degradation & Development, 2007Co-Authors: Robin J Pakeman, M Le G Duc, Hugh A Mcallister, J Ghorbani, R H MarrsAbstract:We assessed the effects of a range of experimental restoration treatments on the diaspore bank (seed and spores) on an upland moor infested by dense Pteridium aquilinum, 9 years after implementation. Experimental treatment included both Pteridium control (cutting, spraying and combinations) and restoration treatments (grazing, seeding); both univariate and multivariate analyses of variance were used to assess significant effects. The seed bank was made up largely of Calluna vulgaris, Juncus effusus and Agrostis capillaris with the majority germinating from the litter (38 per cent) and upper soil layer (53 per cent). Soil depth influenced species composition and density, with greatest numbers near the surface, in keeping with a negative exponential response. In the lowest soil depth only ferns were abundant. A. capillaris seed density was greater in the most disturbed treatment (cut twice yearly with grazing), whereas C. vulgaris was greater in the low-disturbance treatment (herbicide application only). The diaspore bank composition response identified that certain treatment combinations had a grass-heath composition in the upper soil layer, which may assist future restoration. There was a significant effect of C. vulgaris seed addition detected in the Pteridium litter layer suggesting that this litter acted as a barrier to seed transfer to the soil. There was little evidence of coupling developing between the diaspore bank and vegetation. The most successful treatment combination was cutting twice per yr with low grazing plus C. vulgaris addition as brash. Where seed is added the Pteridium litter should be disturbed. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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a restoration experiment on moorland infested by Pteridium aquilinum plant species responses
Agriculture Ecosystems & Environment, 2007Co-Authors: M Le G Duc, Robin J Pakeman, R H MarrsAbstract:Abstract A long-term vegetation restoration experiment on land infested by Pteridium aquilinum is described. It was established in 1993 in the North Peak Environmentally Sensitive Area, Derbyshire, UK. The target was to restore Calluna moorland that existed before P. aquilinum invasion. The experimental design incorporated vegetation restoration treatments (sheep grazing and Calluna vulgaris seeding) at split-plot levels within P. aquilinum control treatments (herbicide and cutting in different combinations). For P. aquilinum the most successful control treatment used was cutting twice per year. August cover was reduced from ca. 100% to Species richness was greatest with cutting-only treatments, giving a species density of 7–8 m−2 from 1998, compared to about 3 m−2 for untreated plots. Grazing gave 6–7 m−2 compared to 4–5 m−2 for un-grazed plots. Controlling P. aquilinum was found to be a long-term commitment. Cutting-twice-per-year with light grazing is recommended, both for P. aquilinum control and vegetation restoration.
Noemie Gaudio - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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light mediated influence of three understorey species calluna vulgaris Pteridium aquilinum molinia caerulea on the growth of pinus sylvestris seedlings
European Journal of Forest Research, 2011Co-Authors: Noemie Gaudio, Philippe Balandier, Gwenael Philippe, Yann Dumas, Frederic Jean, Christian GinistyAbstract:Pinus sylvestris is a pioneer species and as such is relatively light-demanding. Therefore, its natural regeneration may be inhibited by some forest understorey species that develop with light and can then reduce light as well as soil resources (i.e. nutrients and water) availability for the pine seedlings. To better quantify these effects, we designed two experiments in a nursery. The first one aimed at studying the influence of density of three common understorey species in temperate forests (Calluna vulgaris, Pteridium aquilinum and Molinia caerulea) on pine seedlings survival and growth. The purpose of the second experiment was to quantify the development of these three species relatively to light that varied in our experiment from 6 to 100% of relative light. An increase in weed density, i.e. a concomitant decrease of light availability and soil moisture content, resulted in reduced pine seedlings growth (diameter and biomass) and higher stem height/diameter ratio but had no significant effect on seedlings survival. Height and cover of the three weedy species followed a non linear relationship relative to light availability. Results are discussed according to the quantity of available light as well as its quality assessed through the red/far red ratio, both for the pine seedlings development and weed species height and cover, and their interactions.
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Light-mediated influence of three understorey species (Calluna vulgaris, Pteridium aquilinum, Molinia caerulea) on the growth of Pinus sylvestris seedlings
European Journal of Forest Research, 2011Co-Authors: Noemie Gaudio, Philippe Balandier, Gwenael Philippe, Yann Dumas, Frederic Jean, Christian GinistyAbstract:Depending on its developmental and morphological characteristics, shrubby or herbaceous understorey vegetation interacts differently with tree seedlings during the regeneration process. In acidic temperate forests, three common understorey plant species-Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hull, Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn in Kersten, Molinia caerulea (L.) Moench-are known to rapidly colonize forest gaps. Therefore, they often develop at the expense of light-demanding Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) seedlings. An experiment was set up in a nursery in central France to mimic early competition occurring in a newly created gap between Scots pine seedlings and these three common understorey species (young forest-harvested individuals planted at 5 densities from 0 to 57 plants m(-2)). Pine seedling survival and growth (height, diameter, shoot and root biomass) and a functional trait (leaf mass on an area basis, LMA) were measured for 2 years, and cross-analysed against plant density, plant cover and available light. When understorey plant density increased, pine seedling diameter growth and biomass were negatively affected by all three plant species; height growth only slowed beneath Pteridium. These negative effects were closely linked to competition for light beneath Pteridium and Molinia. The application of the Beer-Lambert law gave an extinction coefficient k that was high for Pteridium, intermediate for Molinia and much lower for Calluna. LMA was confirmed as an effective foliar trait to reflect the degree of stress undergone by pine seedlings.