Davey Resource Group
Invasive Vegetation Control
Walnut Beach, Ashtabula, Ohio
Managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Walnut
Beach is located in Ashtabula County, Ohio, and consists of
approximately 43 acres of wetland habitat along Lake Erie. In
addition, the site features a unique sand dune system along a
migratory bird pathway. This ecologically unique habitat is home
to rare beach plants such as Ammophila breviligulata (American
beach grass) and Lathyrus japonicus (inland beach pea).
Davey biologists treated over 20 acres of
invasive species including Artemisia
vulgaris (common mugwort) and
Phragmites australis (common reed) to
restore valuable Lake Erie shoreline habitat.
Davey was retained by Ecology and Environment Engineering,
P.C. to implement a multi-year demonstration project funded by
the USACE. In summer 2014, Davey biologists treated
approximately 20 acres of invasive vegetation, divided into three
units, with glyphosate, imazamox, or a combination of both as part
of the project. While all invasive plant species were treated,
species that were specifically targeted as part of the demonstration
include Alnus glutinosa (European alder), Artemisia vulgaris
(common mugwort), and Phragmites australis (common reed).
To apply the herbicide treatments, Davey biologists used several
methods, all of which were customized to the species being
treated. In dense areas, a skid-mounted spray tank was used to
control common reed and mugwort. In areas where invasive plants
are sparse, or where sensitive, threatened, or endangered species
are present, treatments were carefully applied with backpack
sprayers. Rodeo®, an aquatic approved glyphosate product, and
Clearcast®, an aquatic safe imazamox product, were used to treat
the invasive vegetation. Since many rare and state-listed
herbaceous species occur within the project area, chemical
applications were highly selective in non-monoculture treatment
areas.
The goal of this ongoing project is twofold: to restore native
shoreline habitat by eradicating invasive plant species from
Walnut Beach using both mechanical and chemical treatment
methods; and to use the site as a demonstration area to study the
effectiveness of different control methods, including various
herbicide formulations. The second year of treatment will occur in
summer of 2015.
Davey Resource Group
daveyresourcegroup.com
800-828-8312