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Accepted manuscript

Injection-based approaches for controlling Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) invasion in conservation efforts of the Patagonian forest

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 May 2024

M. Florencia Spalazzi*
Affiliation:
Graduate Student, Grupo de Estudios Ambientales, Instituto de matemática Aplicada San Luis, Universidad Nacional de San Luis & Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Técnicas y Científicas (CONICET), San Luis, Argentina
Tomás Milani
Affiliation:
Postgraduate Student, Grupo de Estudios Ambientales, Instituto de matemática Aplicada San Luis, Universidad Nacional de San Luis & Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Técnicas y Científicas (CONICET), San Luis, Argentina
Cecilia I. Nuñez
Affiliation:
Técnico Profesional, Dirección Regional Patagonia Norte, Administración de Parques Nacionales, Bariloche, Argentina
Martin A. Nuñez
Affiliation:
Associate Professor, Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA Investigador Principal, Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente, Universidad Nacional del Comahue & Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Técnicas y Científicas (CONICET), Bariloche, Argentina
François P. Teste
Affiliation:
Research Scientist, Swift Current Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Government of Canada, Ottawa, Canada Investigador Correspondiente, Grupo de Estudios Ambientales, Instituto de matemática Aplicada San Luis, Universidad Nacional de San Luis & Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Técnicas y Científicas (CONICET), San Luis, Argentina
*
Corresponding author: M. Florencia Spalazzi; Email: florenciaspalazzi@gmail.com

Abstract

Invasion by nonnative woody species poses a major threat to the environment, biodiversity, and economies worldwide. Nahuel Huapi National Park in Argentina is a protected area for habitat conservation that harbors several invasive Pinaceae species, where Douglas-fir [Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco] is one of the most aggressive and abundant conifer tree invaders. Management of invasions in protected areas must include efficient, easy to deploy, and cost-effective techniques, while reducing the impact on native ecosystems. Because the region has no control measures applied other than conventional felling, we analyzed the effectiveness of two systemic herbicides (glyphosate and aminopyralid + triclopyr) at two different concentrations, applied with the drill and fill method. We then quantified defoliation of P. menziesii trees after 6, 12, and 24 mo after application and performed an economic cost analysis to determine profitability. For the application, the trees were grouped into diameter at breast height classes and randomly assigned to one of the four treatments. Herbicide doses were adjusted according to tree size. We found that glyphosate at high concentrations completely defoliated 33% of the trees after 6 mo and 87% after 12 and 24 mo. Glyphosate at low concentrations defoliated almost 30% of the trees after 24 mo, most of which were smaller trees. The aminopyralid + triclopyr treatment did not produce significant defoliation at any of the tested concentrations. When compared with conventional felling, the drill and fill method was found to reduce removal costs by 98%. We observe that differences in costs are mainly due to dead trees that remain standing, decompose slowly, and do not generate costs associated with their removal and debris management. Drill and fill is a suitable method for treating scattered trees in a native forest community, with reduced environmental consequences compared with other removal techniques currently applied within conservation areas of the Patagonian forest.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© Weed Science Society of America, 2024

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Footnotes

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Crown Copyright applicable for FPT: His Majesty the King in Right of Canada as represented by the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada for the work of FPT 2024.