Miller, James H.; Manning, Steven T.; Enloe, Stephen F. 2010. A management guide for invasive plants in southern forests. Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS–131. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Southern Research Station. 120 p.
The promotion and establishment of desirable vegetation during the latter phases of control and eradication treatments is one of the most important phases of an integrated invasive plant management program. The severity of infestation, site degradation, and desired future outcome determine whether a rehabilitation, restoration, or more stringent reclamation effort is required.
Rehabilitation is used when soil, stream, and wetland damage is minimal and native plants are present or will enter from surrounding areas for reestablishment. Native tree species that grow fast, e.g., genetically improved loblolly pine seedlings, can be planted to suppress invasive plant regrowth. Restoration is a much more involved process of using soil and streambank stabilization methods with planting and seeding of desirable species to create a planned stable landscape. Reclamation is used on surface-mined lands, large road construction projects, and other severely altered sites to reshape landform, replace surface soils, and plant or seed rapidly growing plants often using mulches and fertilizers. Invasive plants have been most often planted on reclamation sites and now warrant control efforts. Native or noninvasive plants are recommended substitutes now available for reclamation operations.
The goal of all three approaches is the establishment and/or release of fastgrowing native plants that can outcompete and outlast any surviving nonnative plants while stabilizing and protecting the soil and water features. At times, nonnative plants must be used to suppress invasives, then controlled, to facilitate native plant establishment.
If the soil seed bank remains intact, native plant communities will naturally reinitiate succession during eradication of nonnative plants. Light-seeded native species are usually present in the seed bank while heavier seeded plants will gradually be deposited on a site by birds and other animals. Select herbicides and other treatments such as mowing and prescribed burning can play roles in continued suppression of invasives while promoting native or noninvasive plants.
In recent years, native plant seed and seedlings have become increasingly available for sowing and planting, even though there is a limited number of species and well-developed establishment procedures. A number of individuals, agencies, and companies are collecting native seed to establish seed production areas. The Nature Conservancy is working in partnership with Roundstone Native Seed, LLC, to begin production and sale of cleaned seeds of local origin for restoration, reclamation, and wildlife habitats. A Web site by the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center of the University of Texas at Austin includes a National Suppliers Directory of nearby native seed and plant sources: http://www.wildflower.org/suppliers/show.php?id=683.
Special seed collection equipment is available for prairie mixtures and grasses. Seedling native plants can be also collected and transplanted from suitable field sites. Native plant seeds will require proper treatments to assure timely germination. Their establishment will be more challenging than the commonly available nonnative plants so often used for soil stabilization and wildlife food plots (see “Six Basic Elements for Successful Native Grass and Forb Establishment,” by Randy Seymour, John Seymour, and Chris Blackford, Roundstone Native Seed, www.roundstoneseed.com). Listed in the appendix are “Nonnative Invasive Plant Species Not to be Used or Recommended for Wildlife Food Plots nor Bird and Butterfly Viewing Gardens” and “Low-Growing Native Plants with Potential for Southern Right-of-Way Stabilization and Beautification.” Use of native plants for wildlife food plots and right-of-way stabilization is long overdue.
Often fast-growing native tree and shrub species should be established during the latter control phase to hinder reestablishment of shade-intolerant nonnative invasive plants. Tree nurseries operated by State forestry agencies are a good source of many species of native trees and shrubs, while other commercial sources are scattered throughout the region.
Constant surveillance, maintaining forest vigor with minimal disturbance, treatment of new unwanted arrivals, and finally, promotion or establishment of plants during eradication is critical for managing invasions.
 |
 |
 |
