Study

Constraints on sedge meadow self-restoration in urban wetlands

  • Published source details Hall S.J. & Zedler J.B. (2010) Constraints on sedge meadow self-restoration in urban wetlands. Restoration Ecology, 18, 671-680.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Use cutting/mowing to control problematic herbaceous plants: freshwater marshes

Action Link
Marsh and Swamp Conservation

Use herbicide to control problematic plants: freshwater marshes

Action Link
Marsh and Swamp Conservation
  1. Use cutting/mowing to control problematic herbaceous plants: freshwater marshes

    A replicated, randomized, paired, controlled study in 2006–2008 in a wet meadow being invaded by hybrid cattail Typha x glauca in Wisconsin, USA (4) found that cutting cattail four times over two growing seasons increased cover of sedges Carex spp., but that cutting twice had no significant effect. After two growing seasons, sedge cover was higher in plots where cattails had been cut four times (33–66%) than in uncut plots (11–38%). However, plots where cattails had only been cut twice had statistically similar sedge cover (20–59%) to the uncut plots. Additional plots where all vegetation had been cut one month before sampling had 4–9% sedge cover. No sedge seedlings were found in any plot. Methods: Thirty-two 4 x 8 m plots were established (in two sets of 16) on the boundary between native wet meadow vegetation and a patch of hybrid cattail. In May 2006, all cattail stems were cut and removed from 24 plots (12 random plots/set). Eight of these plots (4 random plots/set) received each follow-up treatment over the next two growing seasons: cutting cattail four times upon regrowth to 1 m, cutting cattail twice upon regrowth to 1 m, or cutting all vegetation once in September 2007. The final eight plots (4 random plots/set) were never cut. Sedge cover was surveyed in October 2007, in four 1-m2 quadrats/plot.

    (Summarised by: Nigel Taylor)

  2. Use herbicide to control problematic plants: freshwater marshes

    A replicated, randomized, paired, controlled study in 2006–2008 in a wet meadow being invaded by hybrid cattail Typha x glauca in Wisconsin, USA (Hall & Zedler 2010) found that spraying cattail with herbicide had no significant effect on cover of sedges Carex spp. after two growing seasons. Plots where cattails had been sprayed with herbicide had statistically similar sedge cover (14–29%) to unsprayed plots (11–38%). No sedge seedlings were found in any plot. Methods: Sixteen 4 x 8 m plots were established (in two sets of eight) on the boundary between native wet meadow vegetation and a patch of hybrid cattail. In May 2006, cattail plants in eight plots (four random plots/set) were sprayed with herbicide (Rodeo® 0.75%). The other eight plots were not sprayed. Sedge cover was surveyed in October 2007, in four 1-m2 quadrats/plot.

    (Summarised by: Nigel Taylor)

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