Study

Control of giant reed Arundo donax on Vila Franca do Campo Islet, Azores, Portugal

  • Published source details Silva C.M.N., Silva L., Oliveira N., Geraldes P. & Hervías S. (2011) Control of giant reed Arundo donax on Vila Franca do Campo Islet, Azores, Portugal. Conservation Evidence, 8, 93-99.

Summary

The non-native, invasive giant reed Arundo donax covers an estimated 30% of Vila Franca do Campo Islet (Azores). It blocks the entrance of Cory's shearwater Calonetris diomedea borealis nest burrows and out-competes threatened Azorean endemic flora. Three A. donax control methods were tested in 90, 1m2 plots, and cost-effectiveness of each determined using a Simple Additive Weighting Model. The most effective control method was cutting and removal of reed stems followed by two glyphosate-based foliar herbicide applications (one in May and another in late October i.e. corresponding to before and after the Cory's shearwater breeding cycle). After one year, 92% of giant reed was eradicated at an estimated cost of €8,000 per hectare.

https://conservationevidencejournal.com/reference/pdf/2353

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