RESTORATION FROM THE GROUND UP: CONTROL OF EXOTIC WEEDS ON MILITARY TRAINING LANDS

Authors: PASCHKE, MARK - COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY; KLEIN, DONALD - COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY; Smith, Lincoln; REDENTE, EDWARD - COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/29/2004
Publication Date: 8/24/2004
Citation: Paschke, M., Klein, D., Smith, L., Redente, E. 2004. Restoration from the ground up: control of exotic weeds on military training lands. Meeting Abstract.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: A field study was conducted to test alternative control strategies for non-indigenous knapweeds and annual brome grasses on US military installations. We evaluated the control of non-indigenous invasive plant species with a combination of four manipulations that accelerate secondary succession: 1) introduction of a soil microbial community from an adjacent native plant community, 2) applying sugar to reduce availability of soil nitrogen, 3) reduction of the weed populations using biological control or burning, and 4) reseeding with desirable plant species. These treatments were initiated in 2000 on disturbed sites with weed infestations at Fort Carson, CO and Yakima Training Center, WA. The plant community was sampled prior to treatments and in each subsequent year of the study. Results indicate that desirable treatment effects occurred in many of the test plots. Knapweed biological control agents became well-established. Soil N availability was significantly reduced with soil carbon amendments resulting in significant reductions in weed abundance. Overall, our results indicate that combinations of treatments that seek to promote soil biological activity and aid the establishment of desirable species, while stressing undesirable species can be an effective strategy for managing noxious weeds.