Progress 05/30/14 to 10/31/18
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience for this research project is primarily land managers of either public or private conservation land in Florida and surrounding southeastern states. Preliminarly resultsrelated to effects of herbicides on Japanese climbing fern spore germination were presented in 2014 to private and state land managers at the Florida Vegetation Management Association Conference and distributed in a newletter for members of the Conserved Forest Ecosystem: Research and Outreach Cooperative. The newsletter targets mainly state land managers and employees as well as some private owners, primarily in Florida. In 2015, results ofslash pineand longleaf pine regeneration were presented to other researchers and US Forest Service employees as well as some public and private land managers through a regional Silviculture conference and papers. Results regarding control of the invasive Japanese climbing fern were disseminated to primarily state agency staff (scientists, land managers, and technical staff) via a short summary/abstract of a report submitted to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Results regarding the seed biology and control of the invasive Chinese tallow were presented to primarily private and some public land managers in Florida at the Florida Vegetation Management Association conference. In 2016, results from Japanese Climbing Fern were disseminated to primarily state agency staff (scientists, land managers, and technical staff) via a short summary/abstract of a report submitted to the Florida Fish and Wildlife conservation Commission.An oral presentation of the project entitled "BROAD-SCALE HERBICIDE APPLICATIONS TO CONTROL JAPANESE CLIMBING FERN REPRODUCTION AND GROWTH ACROSS FLORIDA'S CLIMATIC ZONES" was presented at the 2017 annual conference of the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council in Melborne, FL. participants included forestry professionals, researchers, state agency personell and students. In 2018 preparation of amanuscript for submission as a refereed research article began and will continue. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?2014 Training was provided to two undergraduate students who were part of a summer research internship program at the University of Florida. Students had an opportunity to learn how to conduct controlled growth chamber studies, to observe and monitor invasive species growth, and to organize data. Training was also provided to one graduate student as related to designing and implementing field experiments. Further training in statistical analyses will occur during the next project period. 2015Training and professional development in the field of forestry were provided to 3 undergraduate summer research interns who assisted with re-establishment of permanent plots and data collection related to Objective 1, Study 1. Students were trained in the use of gps navigation, forestry equipment, and data entry/database management. Another undergraduate student gained training with invasive species research and germination protocol, and one graduate student was provided training in relation to designing and implementing field experiments. 2016Training and professional development in the field of Forestry were provided to 1 undergraduate summer research intern who assisted with re-establishment of permantent pltos and data collection related to objective one above. Students were trained in the use of gps navigation, forestry equipments and data entry/database managment. An undergraduate student gained training with invasive species research and spore germination protocols, and training in relation to designing and implementing growth chamber experiments. 2017Undergraduate students were employed as research interns and received training in field and laboratory research methods. Student interns presented public presentations sumarizing their internship experiences as part of the internship program. A graduate student participated in field research, preparation of reports and presentation of research findings at a statewide meeting. 2018 An undergraduate student participated in the preparation of a scientific paper for submission as a refereed journal article. She will continue to participate in the publication of the paper beyond the term of this project. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results were disseminated to land managers and private land owners through presentations and newsletters (see publications list). Because of the applied nature of this research project, the results derived from the studies of this project are of most interest to land managers (primarily public land managers but also private as well). Thus the main form of dissemination occurred through presentations at state and regional conferences including the Biennial Southern Silviculture Conference and the Florida Vegetation Management Association. Extended abstracts, papers, and research reports were also made available to federal and state agencies, which published and provided results to a wider audience. Progress reports were submitted to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Results were presented to Florida State Agency personell and presented at the 2017 annual conference of the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council in Melborne, FL. participants included forestry professionals, researchers, state agency personell and students. An abstract sumarizing the presentation is posted on the conference website which is developed, maintained and hosted by the Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health at the University of Georgia.The information was also presented by undergraduate students at publicinternship presentations at the Milton Campus of University of Florida. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Objective 1 In Southeastern forests, restoration of degraded forests to natural pine ecosystems is more commonly be done by using uneven-aged silviculture to create appropriate forest structure (in addition to restoring fire regimes). Yet there still remain several questions regarding regeneration responses to differing harvesting methods during restoration and conservation. This is particularly so for slash pine in wet flatwoods ecosystems which has received significantly less attention than longleaf pine in the last decade. We disseminated results for both slash and longleaf pine regeneration measurements in 2014. Slash pine regeneration measurements following restoration harvesting but prior to prescribed fire were reported, and our results indicated that someadvance regeneration may be tall enough to avoid mortality from fire. Prescribed fire was implemented inNovember 2014, and post-fire survivorshipevaluated. Objective 2. of this project is to evaluate new methods for controlling invasive species reproduction and establishment.In 2014 we installed experiments and collected data for Objective 2. Study 1 was designed to evaluate the type and timing of herbicide applications on Japanese climbing fern spore development and germination. In a preliminary trial, herbicides had been applied in July through late September 2013 and the first set of germination trials implemented February - April 2014. Initial results indicated earlier herbicide applications in July and August significantly reduced total spore production, and in some cases, reduced the germination of those spores that did develop to maturity, though more so with metsulfuron methyl than glyphosate. Across herbicide application dates, spore yields and gametophyte cover was lowest from spores/plants treated with metsulfuron methyl than from untreated controls at all but the last application date in late September. Gametophyte cover was also generally lower from spores collected from metsulfuron methyl-treated plants than glyphosate-treated plants, most noticeably from application dates between mid-July and late August. While glyphosate has slightly better control of mature plants, we suggest that a combination treatment of glyphosate and metsulfuron methyl at standard label rates may be warranted to better control both mature plants and reproduction, with application periods before early September to achieve the greatest efficacy. The herbicide trials were replicated in July through September 2014 to confirm our initial findings. Study 2 was designed to evaluate seed bank dynamics and control of Chinese tallow trees. Herbicide treatments, including basal bark treatments, hack and squirt methods, and cut stump applications were implemented at 3 study sites across north central through northwest Florida by one graduate student, one technician, and collaborating faculty in December 2013 through April 2014. Only preliminary data on mortality had been collected during the project period, indicating that Garlon was least effective at tallow control compared to other chemicals. However, 1 yr post-treatment results will be more meaningful to report when collected in during the next project period. During 2015, we continued to collect post-herbicide treatment data. We expanded the scope of Objective 2,to evaluate timing of herbicide treatments to target Japanese climbing fern reproduction across several climatic zones of Florida. We hypothesize that differences in climate will affect timing of spore development on fern fronds, thus requiring different timings of herbicide applications to better limit spore reproduction. We installed herbicide treatments from July to September in the western and central Florida panhandle and at two locations in central Florida (Ocala National Forest) and a county property in Lake County. We also collected data on post-herbicide responses of Chinese tallow,including one-year control data following foliar applications, hack and squirt, and cut stump treatments. We evaluated phenological differences in the reproductive development of Japanese climbing fern growing across different climatic zones of Florida in 2015 and 2016. We concurrently evaluated whether specific herbicide treatments and variations in herbicide application timing could be used to restrict spore development of Japanese climbing fern. A fourth treatment timing was included in early July to account for the potential of accelerated maturity at the South Florida Site. At the Western Panhandle and Central Florida sites, rectangular plots were marked in the matted fern infestations while individual plants were marked at the South Florida Site. Herbicide treatments including glyphosate at 3 lbs-ai/ac, metsulfuron methyl at 2oz/ac, and a combination of glyphosate and metsulfuron methyl at those same rates were applied on four treatment dates at three week intervals starting in early July (July, late July, mid-August and early September). Control plots with no herbicide applied were also utilized at all sites and application dates. Visual observations were made and at each site, 3-4 samples of fertile fronds from several plants were harvested from each treated plot three weeks after herbicide application and stored in paper bags to dry in a climate controlled lab for 14 days to release the spores from the fronds. The air dried fronds were shaken and sieved through a 1.2mm screen to separate the spores from the plant material. The total dry weights of the fronds were divided by the total dry weight of the spores to determine the spore yield (g/g). The spore yieldswere compared to determine differences in frond maturity and spore release timing between the three sites and four time periods. Spore development occurred in southern Florida by early June, but in central Florida and the panhandle mature sporangia were observed in mid-July and early August of 2015. Similar results were observed in 2016 across locations. Herbicides were applied using directed backpack sprayers on large plots or patches of sporalating fern fronds.In 2015, herbicide treatments showed variable results on spore number and germination across locations, possibly confounded by weather events following application. Gametophyte development was similar at both the western panhandle and central Florida sites and all herbicide treatments resulted in significantly lower gametophyte growth. A new spore germination methodology was developed in 2017. The new method provided a quantitative value for the percentage of germinating spores, rather than a percent cover of gametophytes on pots. Both germination techniques show germination rates, either by percent cover or percent germination, to range from 20-35% for spores not treated with herbicide. Also, both methodologies indicate herbicide treatments have a greater negative affect on spore germination when applied in late summer months. Spore yield (mg/g) and germination (%) following broadcast herbicide treatments and timings were calculated for sites in Hillsborough (South Florida), Ocala 2 (Central Florida), and Waren (Panhandle Florida). There was no significant interaction between spore yields and herbicide timings at any of the three sites, but at Waren, spore yield was significantly reduced compared to the control when treated with glyphosate or the combination. In South and Central Florida, spore germination was greatest in August and September. However, germination in the Panhandle was greatest in late July-August and lowest in September. Germination analysis showed that herbicide timing and treatment had a significant influence on germination of Japanese climbing fern in South Florida and the Panhandle. There was no significant interaction between timing and treatment, and germination for Central Florida. At all three sites, metsulfuron and the combination herbicide treatments significantly reduced spore germination compared to control plots.
Publications
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Progress 10/01/17 to 09/30/18
Outputs
Target Audience:
Nothing Reported
Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?An undergraduate student participated in the preparation of a scientific paper for submission as a refereed journal article. She will continue to participate in the publication of the papter beyond the term of this project. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?
Nothing Reported
What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
A draft manuscript describing effects of herbicide treatment on spore germination was prepared for review and submission.
Publications
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Progress 10/01/16 to 09/30/17
Outputs
Target Audience:An oral presentation of the project entitled "BROAD-SCALE HERBICIDE APPLICATIONS TO CONTROL JAPANESE CLIMBING FERN REPRODUCTION AND GROWTH ACROSS FLORIDA'S CLIMATIC ZONES" was presented at the 2017 annual conference of the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council in Melborne, FL. participants included forestry professionals, researchers, state agency personell and students. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Undergraduate students were employed as research interns and received training in field and laboratory research methods. Student interns presented public presentations sumarizing their internship experiences as part of the internship program. A graduate student participated in field research, preparation of reports and presentation of research findings at a statewide meeting. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results were presented to Florida State Agency personell and presented at the2017 annual conference of the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council in Melborne, FL. participants included forestry professionals, researchers, state agency personell and students. An abstract sumarizing the presentation is posted on the conference website which is developed, maintained and hosted by the Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health at the University of Georgia. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Compile research data in the form of a manuscript for submission as a refereed publication to further disseminate the research results.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Herbicide recommendations for invasive species have primarily been based on effective control of mature plants without a greater understanding of reproduction. In this study, we evaluated phenological differences in the reproductive development of Japanese climbing fern growing across different climatic zones of Florida in 2015 and 2016. We concurrently evaluated whether specific herbicide treatments and variations in herbicide application timing could be used to restrict spore development of Japanese climbing fern. We evaluated two herbicides (glyphosate and metsulfuron methyl) applied alone and in combination during three periods from July to September, representing different developmental stages of spore reproduction. Due to the earlier observation of spore development in southern locations, we added earlier herbicide application timing in 2016. Spore development occurred in southern Florida by early June, but in central Florida and the panhandle mature sporangia were observed in mid-July and early August of 2015. Similar results were observed in 2016 across locations. Herbicides were applied using directed backpack sprayers on large plots or patches of sporulating fern fronds. Fronds were collected 3-4 weeks after herbicide application and evaluated for spore number and spore viability/gametophyte development. In 2015, herbicide treatments showed variable results on spore number and germination across locations, possibly confounded by weather events following application. Gametophyte development was similar at both the western panhandle and central Florida sites and all herbicide treatments resulted in significantly lower gametophyte growth. Herbicide applications and frond collection has been completed in 2016 and evaluation of spore phenology was completed in 2017. A new spore germination methodology was developed. Themethod involves placing a microscope slide inside a petri dish and placing a piece of filter paper over the slide. As with the potted method, 0.015g of spores to 20mL of filtered water were mixed and agitated to form a suspension. Two milliliters of suspension were placed on areas of the filter paper covering the microscope slide and allowed to absorb into the remaining areas of the paper. The rate of suspension applied was 1mL per 625mm2, which resulted in a range of spores between 50-150 spores per 150mm2 of filter paper. The petri dishes were then placed in sealed plastic bags and put into growth chambers using the same setting as the previous method. Periodically, the dishes were removed from the chambers and re-saturated with DI water to ensure moisture levels were maintained on each microscope slide. After two weeks, a 150mm2 mesh screen was placed on top of the microscope slides for germination counts under a microscope. The total number of germinating and non-germinating spores was counted for all treatment types and periods.This new method provides a quantitative value for the percentage of germinating spores, rather than a percent cover of gametophytes on pots.Both germination techniques show germination rates, either by percent cover or percent germination, to range from 20-35% for spores not treated with herbicide. Also, both methodologies indicate herbicide treatments have a greater negative affect on spore germination when applied in late summer months. Spore yield (mg/g) and germination (%) following broadcast herbicide treatments and timings were calculated for sites in Hillsborough (South Florida), Ocala 2 (Central Florida), and Waren (Panhandle Florida). There was no significant interaction between spore yields and herbicide timings at any of the three sites, but at Waren, spore yield was significantly reduced compared to the control when treated with glyphosate or the combination. In South and Central Florida, spore germination was greatest in August and September. However, germination in the Panhandle was greatest in late July-August and lowest in September. Germination analysis showed that herbicide timing and treatment had a significant influence on germination of Japanese climbing fern in South Florida and the Panhandle. There was no significant interaction between timing and treatment, and germination for Central Florida. At all three sites, metsulfuron and the combination herbicide treatments significantly reduced spore germination compared to control plots.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Candice Prince, Greg MacDonald, Mack Thetford and Kimberley Bohn. 2017. Broad-Scale Herbicide Applications to Control Japanese Climbing Fern Reproduction and Growth across Floridas Climatic Zones. Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council annual conference. April 12-14, 2017. Melbourne, FL
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Progress 10/01/15 to 09/30/16
Outputs
Target Audience:Results from Japanese Climbing Fern were disseminated to primarily state agency staff (scientists, land managers, and technical staff) via a short summary/abstract of a report submitted to the Florida Fish and Wildlife conservation Commission. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Training and professional development in the field of Forestry were provided to 1 undergraduate summer research intern who assisted with re-establishment of permantent pltos and data collection related to objective one above. Students were trained in the use of gps navigation, forestry equipments and data entry/database managment. An undergraduate student gained training with invasive species research and spore germination protocols, and training in relation to designing and implementing growth chamber experiments. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Data collection relative to the two objectives above remains incomplete at this time henceresults have not been disseminated beyond preliminary progress reports submitted to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?In January and February of 2017, spore germination trials will be conducted under controlled growth chamber conditions shown to best stimulate germination. A refined quantitative method utilizing microscope slides will be utilized and thetotal numbers of germinating and non-germinating spores will be counted for all treatment types and periods.Percent spore germination will be analyzed using ANOVA to test for main effects of herbicide type, timing, location, and any interaction effects.Beginning in January 2017, we will commence germination trials to determine the effects of herbicide treatment and timing of application on Japanese climbing fern spores collected in 2015 and 2016. All sites from both years will be included using the refined microscope slide method.A final report containing detailed results for both Objectives of the project will be provided in June, 2017.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
1) To determine the phenological variation in timing of spore development and dispersal across climate zones of Floridadocumentation of spore development and production on Japanese climbing fern fronds occurred in the summer and fall of 2016 at three locations across different climatic zones of Florida.At each site, spore development on fronds was documented at three week intervals starting in early July and ending in mid-September. Visual observations were made and fronds were collected to harvest and measure spore yield. At each site, 3-4 samples of fertile fronds from several plants were harvested and air dried in paper bags in a climate controlled lab for 14 days to release the spores from the fronds. The total dry weights of the fronds were divided by the total dry weight of the spores to determine the spore yield (g/g). The spore yields were compared to determine differences in frond maturity and spore release timing between the three sites and four time periods. 2) To preliminarily assess herbicide rate and timing application on mortality of adult fern fronds and spore germination/gametophyte development across the climate zones of Florida, we installed studies in three geographic locations. The study areas were established in early July of 2016 to replicate research carried out in 2015. A fourth treatment timing was included in early July to account for the potential of accelerated maturity at the South Florida Site. At the Western Panhandle and Central Florida sites, rectangular plots were marked in the matted fern infestations while individual plants were marked at the South Florida Site. Herbicide treatments including glyphosate at 3 lbs-ai/ac, metsulfuron methyl at 2oz/ac, and a combination of glyphosate and metsulfuron methyl at those same rates were applied on four treatment dates at three week intervals starting in early July. Treatments applications were carried out in early July, late July, mid-August and early September. Control plots with no herbicide applied were also utilized at all sites and application dates. A representative sample of fertile fronds was collected from each treated plot three weeks after herbicide application and stored in paper bags to dry. The air dried fronds were shaken and sieved through a 1.2mm screen to separate the spores from the plant material. Spore germination trials to determine the effect of herbicide timing will be conducted in January and February of 2017.
Publications
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Progress 10/01/14 to 09/30/15
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience for this research project is primarily land managers of either public or private conservation land in Florida and surrounding southeastern states. Results from Objective 1, Study 1 and Study 3 regarding slash pine regeneration and longleaf pine regeneration respectively were presented to other researchers and US Forest Service employees as well as some public and private land managers through a regional Silviculture conference and papers. Results from Objective 2, Study 1 regarding control of the invasive Japanese climbing fern were disseminated to primarily state agency staff (scientists, land managers, and technical staff) via a short summary/abstract of a report submitted to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Results from Objective 2, Study 2 regarding the seed biology and control of the invasive Chinese tallow were presented to primarily private and some public land managers in Florida at the Florida Vegetation Management Association conference. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Training and professional development in the field of forestry were provided to 3 undergraduate summer research interns who assisted with re-establishment of permanent plots and data collection related to Objective 1, Study 1. Students were trained in the use of gps navigation, forestry equipment, and data entry/database management. Another undergraduate student gained training with invasive species research and germination protocol, and one graduate student was provided training in relation to designing and implementing field experiments. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Because of the applied nature of this research project, the results derived from the studies of this project are of most interest to land managers (primarily public land managers but also private as well). Thus the main form of dissemination occurred through presentations at state and regional conferences including the Biennial Southern Silviculture Conference and the Florida Vegetation Management Association. Extended abstracts, papers, and research reports were also made available to federal and state agencies, which published and provided results to a wider audience What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?In this next project period, we expect to finish data collection and begin data analysis of slash pine regeneration and survival (Obj 1, Study 1), and prep an area to be used for Obj 1, Study 2 on artificial regeneration. I plan to utilize an undergraduate research intern to collect data for Obj 1, Study 3. We will prepare a manuscript to describe the results of Objective 2, Study 1 as well as present these data at the Florida Exotic Pest and Plant council, and we will analyze data for Obj 2, Study 2. These plans are consistent with the Schedule of activities provided in the proposal.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
In Southeastern forests, restoration of degraded forests to natural pine ecosystems is more commonly be done by using uneven-aged silviculture to create appropriate forest structure (in addition to restoring fire regimes). Yet there still remain several questions regarding regeneration responses to differing harvesting methods during restoration and conservation. This is particularly so for slash pine in wet flatwoods ecosystems which has received significantly less attention than longleaf pine in the last decade. In this last project period, we disseminated results for both slash and longleaf pine regeneration measurements (Objective 1). Slash pine regeneration measurements following restoration harvesting but prior to prescribed fire were reported, and our results indicated that some advance regeneration may be tall enough to avoid mortality from fire. As part of this (Obj 1, Study 1), prescribed fire was implemented in the research plots in November 2014, and post-fire survivorship will be evaluated in the upcoming project period. These results are critical for land managers wishing to maintain a component of slash pine on their forests while also utilizing prescribed fire for fuels reduction and to promote groundcover. Proceedings for an extended conference abstract regarding longleaf pine regeneration and overstory structure were also finally printed and made available by the US Forest Service. Objective 2 of this project is to evaluate new methods for controlling invasive species reproduction and establishment. Invasive plant species have large economic and ecologic impacts on a variety of ecosystems throughout the southeastern United States. Our goals are to better target and reduce reproductive capabilities of invasive plants in addition to controlling adult plants. During this project period, we continued to collect post-herbicide treatment data and disseminate results via conferences and state agency reports. We expanded the scope of Objective 2, study 1 to evaluate timing of herbicide treatments to target Japanese climbing fern reproduction across several climatic zones of Florida from the Panhandle to the central peninsula. We hypothesize that differences in climate will affect timing of spore development on fern fronds, thus requiring different timings of herbicide applications to better limit spore reproduction. We installed herbicide treatments from July to September in the western and central Florida panhandle and at two locations in central Florida (Ocala National Forest) and a county property in Lake County. We are also working on a manuscript to publish the results of the initial study in a peer-reviewed journal. We also continued to collect data on post-herbicide responses of Chinese tallow (Study 2), including one-year control following foliar applications, hack and squirt, and cut stump treatments. In the last project period, preliminary results were presented to land managers at the Florida Vegetation Management Association, and one year data was entered. We are currently analyzing the data.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Awaiting Publication
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Bohn, K.K. and A. Sharma. In press. Slash pine regeneration and groundcover responses following harvesting in hydric flatwoods. Schweitzer, Callie J.; Clatterbuck, Wayne K.; Oswalt, Christopher M., eds. 2016. Proceedings of the 18th biennial southern silvicultural research conference. eGen. Tech. Rep. SRSXXX. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture,Forest Service, Southern Research Station. X p.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Bohn, K.K., C. Chancy, and D. Brockway. 2015. Structure and growth of longleaf pine forests following uneven-aged silviculture and hurricane disturbance. Proceedings of the 17th Biennial Southern Silviculture Conference, Shreveport, LA. March 4-8, 2013. Eds. A.G. Holley, K.F. Connor, and J.D. Haywood. USDA Forest Service, Southern Research Station Gen Tech Rep SRS 203. Pp. 372-373.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Bohn, K.K. and G. MacDonald. 2015. Evaluating Chinese tallow control using a variety of herbicide types and application methods across a range of tree sizes. Proceedings of the Florida Vegetation Management Association Annual Conference. Daytona Beach, FL. April 16-17, 2015
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Progress 05/30/14 to 09/30/14
Outputs
Target Audience: Preliminarly results from Objective 2, Study 1 related to effects of herbicides on Japanese climbing fern spore germination were presented to private and state land managers at the Florida Vegetation Management Association Conference and distributed in a newletter for members of the Conserved Forest Ecosystem: Research and Outreach Cooperative. The newsletter targets mainly state land managers and employees as well as some private owners, primarily in Florida. Changes/Problems: Implementation of Study 2, Objective 1 has been delayed by one year (we are waiting for the Florida ForestService to burn the site). We expect to plant seedlings in January 2016. Ginal results will still be complete by the end of this project period in 2018. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Training was provided to two undergraduate students who were part of a summer research internship program at the University of Florida. Students had an opportunity to learn how to conduct controlled growth chamber studies, to observe and monitor invasive species growth, and to organize data. Training was also provided to one graduate student as related to designing and implementing field experiments. Further training in statistical analyses will occur during the next project period. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? As stated previously, results were disseminated to land managers and private land owners through presentations and newsletters (see publications list). What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? During the next reporting period we expect to finish replicating experiments and collecting data for Study 1 and 2 of Objective 2. We will also collect and analyze data on natural slash pine regeneration and ground cover as part of Study 1, Objective 1 and prepare the field site for installation of an artificial regeneration study that is part of Study 2, Objective 2.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Invasive plant species have large economic and ecologic impacts on a variety of ecosystems throughout the southeastern United States. Objective 2 of this project is to to evaluate new methods for controlling invasive species reproduction and establishment. Our goal is to better target and reduce reproductive capabilities of invasive plants in addition to controlling adult plants. During this project period we installed experiments and collected data for both Study 1 and 2 of Objective 2. Study 1 was designed to evaluate the type and timing of herbicide applications on Japanese climbing fern spore development and germination. In a preliminarly trial, herbicides had been applied in July through late September 2013 by one technician, and the first set of germination trials were implemented in February through April 2014, with the help of two undergraduate students. Results thus far indicate that earlier herbicide applications in July and August significantly reduced total spore production, and in some cases, reduced the germination of those spores that did develop to maturity, though more so with metsulfuron methyl than glyphosate. Across herbicide application dates, spore yields and gametophyte cover was lowest from spores/plants treated with metsulfuron methyl than from untreated controls at all but the last application date in late September. Gametophyte cover was also generally lower from spores collected from metsulfuron methyl-treated plants than glyphosate-treated plants, most noticeably from application dates between mid-July and late August. While glyphosate has slightly better control of mature plants, we suggest that a combination treatment of glyphosate and metsulfuron methyl at standard label rates may be warranted to better control both mature plants and reproduction, with application periods before early September to achieve the greatest efficacy. The herbicide trials were replicated in July through September 2014 to confirm our initial findings. These results were disseminated to a variety of land managers across the state, and several managers have commented on changing their herbicide tank mixes as a result of this work. Study 2 was designed to evaluate seed bank dynamics and control of Chinese tallow trees. Herbicide treatments, including basal bark treatments, hack and squirt methods, and cut stump applications were implemented at 3 study sites across north central through northwest Florida by one graduate student, one technician, and collaborating faculty in December 2013 through April 2014. Only preliminary data on mortality had been collected during the project period, indicating that Garlon was least effective at tallow control compared to other chemicals. However, 1 yr post-treatment results will be more meaningful to report when collected in during the next project period.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Bohn, K.K. 2014. Use of herbicides to control Japanese climbing fern reproduction. Proceedings of the Florida Vegetation Management Association Annual Conference. Daytona Beach, FL. April 24-25, 2014.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Bohn, K. 2014. Improving control of Japanese climbing fern growth and reproduction Conserved Forest Ecosystems: Research and Outreach Newsletter. November 2014. p1.
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