Three tools to manage exotic weeds in Swiss agricultural and non-agricultural environments a proposal

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1 Eidgenössisches Volkswirtschaftsdepartement EVD Forschungsanstalt Agroscope Changins-Wädenswil ACW Three tools to manage exotic weeds in Swiss agricultural and non-agricultural environments a proposal Christian Bohren Agroscope Changins-Wädenswil, ACW Route de Duillier CH Nyon 1, Switzerland

2 Invasive Plants control Facts and possibilities 2

3 Natural facts 3000 plant species present in Switzerland 305 neophytes 45 invasive neophytes Black List/Watchlist see also 3 species are currently relevant to agriculture: Ambrosia artemisiifolia Solidago canadensis, gigantea Cyperus esculentus NEWCOMERS rule: 1000 plant species imported 100 of them may survive 10 may establish 1 may become invasive 3

4 Social facts Ambrosia artemisiifolia : Public opinion for zero tolerance is easily made risk to human health by highliy allergenic pollen Solidago ssp : Public opinion for control may be not easy to achieve Solidago species are used as ornamental plants Cyperus esculentus : agricultural weed mainly in vegetable production not well known to the public 4

5 Social facts Ambrosia artemisiifolia : invading residential zones % of the population is sensible Relatives Others enough people for an effective campaign 5

6 Social facts Solidago ssp : present all over the country along roads/railways in wild flower strips of agricultural zones 6

7 Social facts Cyperus esculentus : growing attention to its presence this year 7

8 abundance Distribution of some invasive species important for agriculture in Switzerland Reynoutria spp Silidago spp Heracleum mantegazzianum Cyperus esculentus rare invasion Ambrosia artemisiifolia Senecio inaequidens Abutilon theophrasti 0 A few years centuries 8

9 Legal facts Ordinnance on plant protection : federal obligation to control is based here Ambrosia artemisiifolia Ordinnance on dissemination of organisms into the environment : - interdiction to deal with exotic invasive plants - control can be organised by the cantons Black List / Watch List by SKEW-CPS 9

10 How ambrosia control is organised Swiss Confederation 26 Cantons semi independent states Towns, local services, farmers 4 official languages legal base responsibility for control 10 execution of control

11 Actual Situation Ambrosia is under control; The control of other species is subject to endless political discussions around need and costs of control; Much information in form of - factsheets and flyers for its own purpose, - detailed scientific information There is lack of basic information on control know-how in short form 11

12 Black List containing 42 invasive species a quick reaction is necessary because the invasion takes place Control = local eradication half-hearted, unsuitable control is expensive and useless What are effective control methods? Which part of the plant needs to be controlled? What is the best period / plant stage for control? What tools are needed? What type of failure can occure? How many actions are needed for a successful control? 12

a tool to estimate control costs and work load for

13 Politicians decide on distribution of money Investment into highly effective control Response to invasion is a tool to estimate control costs and work load for «eradication» 1 minute information for decision makers 13

14 Needs Since legislative bodies ask for case by case control, they need to provide tools to executive bodies Tools for monitoring and mapping (early detection) 1. Factsheet on basic knowledge about weak point for attack best control time, and methods 2. Lists of costs of various control measures and working equipment 3. List of restriction of use of chemicals, and other methods in federal states and defined zones 14

15 Lifecycle of the invasive plant species Weak point for attack 15

16 3 Tools one page factsheet per species containing basic, non obsolescent data and knowledge on: weak point preferred control methods reasons for failure necessity of after treatment 1 List of detailed expenses for machine costs, salaries, equipment costs for all activities concerning control of plant species (example: 1 List of detailed information on restricted use of control methods in defined zones 16

17 Reynoutria species Weak point: Fallopia species multiply by small buds placed on the root system; 1 bud per 2 cm root length. Cut stem lying on wet and fertile ground produce roots and sprout; 1 bud per 15 cm Legend: Plant regeneration after «complete» herbicide kill Control method mechanical mechanical / chemical biological What is the most effective control method? Comments: excavating* ground (m 3 ) and cleaning* / disposal* of excavated material Uprooting* is not recommended because not all roots can be uprooted Sequence of cutting* in late spring and herbicide treatment* in early autumn as well as disposal of plant material* (compost) Cutting* solely is not recommended because of insufficient efficacy; herbicide treatment* underlies various restrictions for environmental reasons Purchase* and release* of control agents* and disposal* of plant material A combination of biological control methods with mechanical / chemical methods is recommended Reasons for failor of control method? Efficacy of control is reduced if pieces of roots remain in the ground Efficacy of control may be reduced by surviving plants (e.g. fast regrowth after cut or insufficient herbicidal efficacy) Efficacy of control may be reduced by surviving plants (e.g. in case of insufficient number of control agents) What type of aftertreatment is necessary? Efficiency control in the following year is always necessary; sequential control measures may be necessary * = see list of expenses 17

18 Fallopia species (backside) Appearance Habitat 18

Ambrosia artemisiifolia Weak point: Anbrosia survives winter by seed grains only. The plant must be destroyed before flowering and seeds production.

19 Ambrosia artemisiifolia Weak point: Anbrosia survives winter by seed grains only. The plant must be destroyed before flowering and seeds production. Legend: Every uncomplete control measure provokes re-sprouting and allows the production of pollen and seeds in reduced quantities Control method mechanical mechanical / chemical biological Mowing* with mower* or scythe* or trimmer* Mowing* and herbicide treatment* Purchase* and release* of control agents* What is the most effective control method? Comments: Uprooting by hand* effective in small stands; deposit* of plant material Mowing* solely is not recommended because of insufficient control; Herbicide treatment* solely is not recommended because of ecological impact; combination of methods is recommended A combination of biological control methods with mechanical / chemical methods is recommended Reasons for failor of control method? What type of aftertreatment is necessary? The treated plant resprouts in case of uncomplete control success and formes even in reduced quantities pollen and grains Efficiency control in the following year is always necessary; sequential control measures may be necessary * = see list of expenses 19

20 Ambrosia artemisiifolia (backside) Appearance Habitat 20

3 Tools one page factsheet per species containing basic, non obsolescent data and knowledge on: weak point preferred control methods reasons for failure necessity of after treatment 1 List of

21 3 Tools one page factsheet per species containing basic, non obsolescent data and knowledge on: weak point preferred control methods reasons for failure necessity of after treatment 1 List of detailed expenses for machine costs, salaries, equipment costs for all activities concerning control of plant species (example: 1 List of detailed information on restricted use of control methods in defined zones 21

22 Detailed expenses list 22

23 3 Tools one page factsheet per species containing basic, non obsolescent data and knowledge on: weak point preferred control methods reasons for failure necessity of after treatment 1 List of detailed expenses for machine costs, salaries, equipment costs for all activities concerning control of plant species (example: 1 List of detailed information on restricted use of control methods in defined zones 23

24 1 List of detailed information on restricted use of control methods in defined zones Restriktionen von Bekämpfungsmethoden in diversen Zonen Zone Feineinteilung Herbizideinsatz Massnahmen zur Bodenbearbeitun g Herbizideinsatz: Änderungsvorschlag Bodenbearbeitung: Änderungsvorschl ag bauliche Massnahmen (zb Bodenaushub) bauliche Massnahmen (zb Bodenaushub): Änderungsvorschlag Bemerkungen Nationale Schutzgebiete 1 Kernzone nein nein ja Nationale Schutzgebiete Umgebung/Freihaltezone nein nein ja Regionale Schutzgebiete Kernzone nein nein ja Regionale Schutzgebiete Umgebung/Freihaltezone nein nein ja Lokale Schutzgebiete Kernzone nein nein ja Lokale Schutzgebiete Umgebung/Freihaltezone nein nein ja Ufer Flüsse, Seen, Bäche: Freizeit Böschung + 3m nein nein ja Ufer Flüsse, Seen, Bäche: naturnah Böschung + 3m nein nein ja Ufer Flüsse, Seen, Bäche: privat Böschung + 3m nein nein ja Ufer Flüsse, Seen, Bäche: normal, kostenoptimiert Böschung + 3m nein nein ja frisch renaturierte Flächen nein ja ja Wasserfläche nein - nein nein Waldrand nein nein ja Aufgelichtete Waldbereiche (Schläge, Waldstrassen) nein nein ja Naturwald nein nein ja Nutzwald nein nein ja nationale Strassen inkl. Böschungen nein nein nein Kantonale Strassen inkl. Böschungen nein nein nein Gemeindestrassen / Privatstrassen inkl. Böschungen nein nein nein Feldwege Feldweg + 2m nein nein nein SBB Trasse und Böschung ja nein nein Privatbahnen Trasse und Böschung ja nein nein Flughafen nein nein nein Öffentliche Parkanlagen (auch Friedhöfe) ja ja ja Sportanlagen ja ja ja 24

25 Working Group on Invasive Plants may become a platform to create and distribute the proposed one page fact sheets 25

26 EWRS Working Group on Invasive Plants next meeting will be : 2 7 October 2011 The 3rd Symposium on Environmental Weeds & Invasive Plants (Intractable Weeds and Plant Invaders) Venue: Ticino, Switzerland 26

27 27 Thank you for your attention!

Chapter 2. Vegetation Control Options for Rights-of-Way Managers Table of Contents

Chapter 2. Vegetation Control Options for Rights-of-Way Managers Table of Contents Page Biological Control... 1 Cultural Control... 2 Manual Control... 3 Mechanical Control... 4 Chemical Control... 5 Summary...