Restoration of Native Vegetation: Exotic Organism Control

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Restoration of Native Vegetation Exotic
Organism Control

• Understand biology (i.e. life history) of the
  exotic organism
• Identify critical life history stage
• What life history traits make organisms
  successful invasives?
• Determine possible control practices/techniques
• What intensity of treatment is acceptable?
• Map your site ? compartmentalize based on exotic
  species occurrence, density, threat, etc.
• Develop removal program and schedule

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Invasive Species Management
European Buckthorn
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Japanese Knotweed
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Japanese Honeysuckle
Tartatian Honeysuckle
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Using fire to control exotics
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Kudzu Case Study

• Kudzu (Pueraria lobata) is a perennial vine in
  the legume family
• Imported from Japan in 1876 to landscape a
  garden at the Japanese Pavilion at the
  Philadelphia Centennial Exposition.
• In the early 1900's, this vine was discovered to
  be excellent forage for cows, pigs, and goats in
  the South in acidic soils and during droughty
  seasons. It was also promoted as cover for
  erosion control in gullies.
• The distribution of kudzu in the United States
  today extends from Connecticut to Missouri and
  Oklahoma, south to Texas and Florida. Before
  1970, kudzu was planted along Missouri highways
  to control erosion and some farmers experimented
  with kudzu for livestock fodder.

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Kudzu infestation
1. Mechanical and hand removal
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3. Prescribed burning then herbicide application
4. Native grasses planted
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Completed restoration