Selective method for invasive plant removal enhances restoration

• DOI: 10.1111/rec.14112
• Publication Date: 2024-01-23T01:35:35Z
• Authors: Kristin M. Hinkson; Julienne E. NeSmith; Christina Alba; Michael Durham; Jason Ferrell; S. Luke Flory
• Keywords: Native plant; Restoration Ecology; Imperata

Effective and sustainable restoration of habitats invaded by non‐native plant species requires both invader removal recovery native species. However, efficacy methods responses commonly depend on site conditions, spatial scale, time, indicating approaches must consider environmental context. To better understand how selectivity control conditions determine resident community responses, we conducted an experiment with a widespread in the southeast United States (cogongrass, Imperata cylindrica ) co‐occurring across nine sites that varied widely We found three applications used broad‐spectrum herbicide glyphosate reduced cover 97%, average, over 2 years. Fluazifop‐P‐butyl, selective grass‐specific was equally effective (95% reduction cover) removing when only two additional treatments were applied (five total years) but it also helped preserve or allow for cover. Furthermore, similar regardless differences conditions. Higher resource availability, as estimated initial biomass at sites, resulted greater recovery, under treatment. Our results suggest refocusing invasive management efforts from alone to community‐wide preservation part using more strategies, has higher costs could simultaneously ease impacts enhance ecosystem restoration.