Controlling Gunnera tinctoria Where are we today? By: Cristina Armstrong and Bruce Osborne.
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Transcript of Controlling Gunnera tinctoria Where are we today? By: Cristina Armstrong and Bruce Osborne.
Controlling Gunnera tinctoriaWhere are we today?
By: Cristina Armstrong and Bruce Osborne
Background
Gunnera tinctoria is an invasive plant to the west of Ireland.
Established on Achill Island, possibly over 100 years.
Native to Southern regions of South America, similar climatic conditions
Large herbaceaous perennial plant growing over 2m tall and with up to 2m wide leaves.
Outline
Started in 2006 – Msc at UCD (Control & Mapping)
Greenhouse experiments
Field experiments
Mapping
Eradication?
Mapping Using field boundaries as a site:Presence/absence of G. tinctoria marked out.
At each site:Percentage cover
Stand TypeSize (L,M,S)Habitat
Total Area Invaded
4.2 km2
= 2.9 %
0.69 km2
= 0.46 %
Area = 55 football pitches!!
Rivers and Waterways
Distribution along rivers
15.6%
Roadsides and paths
Distribution along roadsides
30.1%
Distribution within 50 m of buildings
49.2%
Agricultural land
Peat bogs
Quarries and disturbed land
Heath
Coastal Cliffs
Possible means of spread
Short range dispersal Seed falls near parent plant
Long range dispersal Rivers and roads Habitat corridors Disturbance Birds
Greenhouse ExperimentsBefore
After
Concentration of RoundUp
RoundUp V Garlon
Leaf area
Recommended concentration
Garlon fast-acting
Leaf area not significant
Field Experiments
1.
4 x 4 m plots
RoundUp
Two methods of application:
Cut and Paint
Cut and Injection
2.
4 x 4 m plots
RoundUp V Garlon
Timing of application
Selective
Results
0
5
10
15
20
25
Cut & P aint Cut &Injec tion
Control C& P Control C& I Control
Tre a tm e nt
Nu
mb
er o
f n
ew s
ho
ots
M ean S tart A ug 06
M ean M arch 07
M ean A pril 07
M ean M ay 08
96%
83%
61%
75%
Re-application needed after 2 years!!
When is the best time to apply?
Early applications were not successful
How to treat each plant
Cut, Inject and Spray
Current Work
Eradication on Clare Island
Biodiversity Grant (Heritage Council) Mapping Methods used in experiment Island involvement Future monitoring
Conclusions Main habitats invaded:
Agricultural land Waterways Roadsides Disturbed land
Hypothesised that disturbance is facilitating the spread.
Re-application of treatments required Other measures of control (physical,
biological)
Acknowledgements
Bruce Osborne for his supervision. Javier, Angeles, Noeleen, Ale, Margherita, Mark,
Lisa, Michael Bob and John for all their field assistance.
Ray for his advice on greenhouse expt. Mayo County Council.
- Carmel & Louise in GIS
- Deirdre Cunningham Heritage Council – Funding