Author Archives: Sylvan Kaufman

Fungi helping cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) invasions in North America

Researchers discovered that a new fungal-plant relationship developed between cheatgrass plants (Bromus tectorum) and a fire-dependent fungus (Morchella).  The fungus grows into the plant tissues and increases the biomass and seed production of the grass.  More biomass leads to more … Continue reading

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Posted in Bromus tectorum, Central West, Research | Comments Off on Fungi helping cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) invasions in North America

Using benthic barriers to stop Eurasian watermilfoil

Benthic barriers use geotextile fabric, plastic or other materials placed over the ground under water to stop the growth of unwanted rooted aquatic plants (for more information on benthic barriers see http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/plants/management/aqua023.html).  A recent study looked at how long barriers needed … Continue reading

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Posted in Detection and Control, Myriophyllum spicatum | Comments Off on Using benthic barriers to stop Eurasian watermilfoil

Survey shows Maine nursery industry concern over invasive plants

A survey of Maine nursery and landscaping businesses showed that most respondents were concerned about invasive ornamental plants and tried to steer their customers towards buying non-invasive plants.  Most would also support labeling of invasive ornamental plants or would not … Continue reading

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Posted in Horticulture Industry, New England | Comments Off on Survey shows Maine nursery industry concern over invasive plants

Consumers willing to pay extra for non-invasive plants?

I was initially excited by the title of a new research article by Yue et al., “Do native and invasive labels affect consumer willingness to pay for plants? Evidence from experimental auctions” published in Agricultural Economics (2011) 42:195-205.  But after … Continue reading

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Posted in Horticulture Industry | Comments Off on Consumers willing to pay extra for non-invasive plants?

Management Guidelines for Florida Aquatic Plants now Online

The University of Florida Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants has a new website for learning about aquatic invasive plant management, http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/manage/.  The resources on the site will be helpful for land managers in many states.

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Posted in Florida, Online Information | Comments Off on Management Guidelines for Florida Aquatic Plants now Online

Field Guide for Pacific Coast Forest Invaders

Similar to its guide for Southern forests, the USDA Forest Service has published a guide to invasive plants in Pacific Coast forests.  Download it at http://www.fs.fed.us/pnw/pubs/pnw_gtr817.pdf or order a copy from http://www.fs.fed.us/pnw/publications/gtrs.shtml Gray, A. N., K. Barndt and S. H. Reichard. … Continue reading

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Posted in Online Information, Pacific Northwest, State/Region | Comments Off on Field Guide for Pacific Coast Forest Invaders

Weed sniffing dogs

The Montana based non-profit, Working Dogs for Conservation, http://www.workingdogsforconservation.org/, trains dogs to sniff out invasive plants. The dogs can sniff out at least 5 species, including Dyer’s Woad (Isatis tinctoria).  Their noses are especially useful in detecting small populations of plants in … Continue reading

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Posted in Detection and Control, Isatis tinctoria | Comments Off on Weed sniffing dogs

Burning bush makes poor amphibian habitat

A study in Missouri woodlands demonstrated that amphibian species richness (numbers of species) and evenness (relative distribution of species) declined in plots dominated by burning bush, Euonymus alatus.  The decline was attributable to a cooler microclimate under burning bush.  The cooler temperatures … Continue reading

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Posted in Euonymus alatus, Research | Comments Off on Burning bush makes poor amphibian habitat