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Search For A Solution: Sustaining the Land, People, and Economy of the Blue Mountains

Chapter 6: NOXIOUS WEEDS IN THE BLUE MOUNTAINS

Richy J. Harrod, Ronald J. Taylor, William L. Gaines, Terry Lillybridge, and Richard Everett

CONCLUSION

Weeds combine a number of morphological and physiological characteristics that enable them to be successful colonizers of disturbed and, occasionally, invaders of undisturbed habitats. High seed output, efficient dispersal mechanisms, rapid seedling growth, wide ecological tolerance and allelopathy are examples of traits that allow weeds to be strong competitors.

Most Blue Mountains weeds originate from Asia or Europe. Weed invasion has been enhanced by humans, their activities, their livestock, or their machinery.
Noxious weed management in the Blue Mountains must continue to emphasize interagency cooperation. Prevention is a key feature to management actions. A combination of several methods should be used to achieve control and prevention of further spread of established noxious weed populations.

A number of possible research projects are proposed. These projects will help obtain information to allow management agencies to make more informed and responsible decisions.

Contents of Chapter Six:

• Introduction
• Biology and Ecology of Weeds
• Reproduction and Genetic Systems
• Seed Dissemination and Spread of Weeds
• Seed Dormancy and Germination
• Competitive Ability of Weeds
• Blue Mountains Weeds
• Origins and Spread of Noxious Weeds
• Spread of Noxious Weeds by Human Activity
• Noxious Weed Management
• Managing Competing and Unwanted Vegetation
• Control Methods
• Monitoring
• Research Needs
• Breeding Systems
• Seed Productivity and Germination Requirements
• Seed Longevity and Dispersal Efficiency
• Characteristics of Growth
• Competitive Ability
• Allelopathic Interaction
• Chemical Weed Control
• Biological Control
• Mechanical Control
• Conclusion