Using Fire and Herbicide to Control Lygodium microphyllum and Effects on a Pine Flatwoods Plant Community in South Florida

Randall K. Stocker; Raymond E. Miller; David W. Black; Amy P. Ferriter; Daniel D. Thayer

doi:10.3375/0885-8608(2008)28[144:UFAHTC]2.0.CO;2

How to translate text using browser tools

1 January 2008 Using Fire and Herbicide to Control Lygodium microphyllum and Effects on a Pine Flatwoods Plant Community in South Florida

Randall K. Stocker, Raymond E. Miller, David W. Black, Amy P. Ferriter, Daniel D. Thayer

Author Affiliations +

Randall K. Stocker,^1,*,** Raymond E. Miller,^2,*** David W. Black,^2,**** Amy P. Ferriter,^3,***** Daniel D. Thayer^2,******

¹1 IFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive, Plants and Department of Agronomy, University of Florida, 30
²2 South Florida Water Management District, P.O. Box 24680, West Palm Beach, FL 33416, USA
³3 Idaho State Department of Agriculture, 2270 Old Penitentiary Rd., Boise, ID 83701, USA

^* Corresponding author: RKStocker@ifas.ufl.edu
^**Randall Stocker is a professor at the University of Florida. His research interests include the ecology and management of invasive plants.
^***Ray Miller is a Lead Environmental Analyst at the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) working in the Environmental Resource Regulation Department. His research interests include wetland mitigation compliance issues and invasive species.
^****David Black is an Environmental Analyst 3 for the Land Stewardship Division, SFWMD. His responsibilities include monitoring the condition of conservation lands and the effectiveness of land management practices. His research interests include ecology of rare plant species and control of invasive plants.
^*****Amy Ferriter is the Invasive Species Coordinator for the State of Idaho in Boise, ID. At the time of this study, she was a Senior Environmental Scientist in the Division of Vegetation Management, SFWMD. Her research interests include the distribution, spread, ecology, and management of invasive species and related public education programs.
^******Dan Thayer is the Director, Division of Vegetation Management, SFWMD. The Division manages invasive species on conservation lands, lakes, rivers, wetlands, and canals in South Florida.

Natural Areas J., 28(2):144-154 (2008). https://doi.org/10.3375/0885-8608(2008)28[144:UFAHTC]2.0.CO;2

Abstract

Lygodium microphyllum (Cav.) R. Br. is a non-native invasive fern that has become a serious problem in many habitats in southern Florida. The effectiveness of fire and/or triclopyr ester in killing L. microphyllum, the time and amount of herbicide required for inspections and re-applications, and the effects of these treatments on a southern Florida pine flatwoods community were examined. These treatments were: (1) herbicide application with bimonthly inspection and re-application if necessary, (2) herbicide application with biannual inspection/re-application, (3) prescribed fire to reduce L. microphyllum biomass followed by biannual inspection and herbicide application, and (4) untreated controls. All fire and/or herbicide treatments killed standing L. microphyllum, and the prescribed fire reduced by about one-half the amount of subsequent herbicide, but not the time, required to kill regrowth. No treatment prevented L. microphyllum regrowth, and every treatment had at least one new frond at the end of the three-year study. Fire and/or herbicide treatments did not permanently decrease native species cover, richness, evenness, or diversity (Shannon's H′), and native species cover increased following biannual herbicide and fire/biannual herbicide treatments. Two-month inspection/retreatment intervals were not more effective than six-month intervals. Lygodium microphyllum can return to former amounts of biomass and cover within a few years of burning. Waiting too long to inspect and retreat negates the benefits of using fire to reduce L. microphyllum biomass.

Citation Download Citation

Randall K. Stocker, Raymond E. Miller, David W. Black, Amy P. Ferriter, and Daniel D. Thayer "Using Fire and Herbicide to Control Lygodium microphyllum and Effects on a Pine Flatwoods Plant Community in South Florida," Natural Areas Journal 28(2), 144-154, (1 January 2008). https://doi.org/10.3375/0885-8608(2008)28[144:UFAHTC]2.0.CO;2

Published: 1 January 2008

KEYWORDS/PHRASES

PUBLICATION TITLE:

COLLECTION:

PUBLICATION YEARS