Abstract
Proliferation of invasive cattails (for example, Typha x glauca, T. angustifolia) is a concern of wetland managers
across the country, and numerous methods have been used
to control the spatial extent and density of the plant. To date,
however, no single method has proven widely or consistently
effective at reducing the long-term growth and spread of these
species. We performed a multi-refuge study to evaluate the relative
effects of growing-season and dormant-season prescribed
burns on cattail production and to gain insight on variables
such as soil moisture, groundwater, and biomass that affect the
efficacy of burning as a control method. Results indicate total
cattail cover recovers to pre-burn levels within 1 year regardless
of whether the controlled burn was implemented during
the growing season or dormant season. Growing-season burns,
however, did result in lower aboveground and belowground
cattail biomass 1-year post-burn, whereas no significant
change in biomass was detected for dormant-season burns.
Study results support the premise that burns implemented during
the growing season should have a greater effect on nutrient
reserves and cattail re-growth. Results from this and other
studies suggest long-term research that incorporates multiple
management strategies will be required to evaluate the potential
of prescribed burning as a method to control cattail.
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First posted July 17, 2012
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