| Title: |
Understanding Cattail (Typha sp.) Invasion and Persistence in VDOT Mitigation Wetlands |
| Contact: |
G. Michael Fitch
|
| Project No.: |
79350 |
| Target Date: |
06/03/2009 |
| Abstract: |
Common cattail (Typha latifolia) is a native plant species listed as an invasive weed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) (PMIS 2003) and numerous other sources (Southern Weed Science Society 1998, Stubbendieck et al. 1994, Whitson et al. 1996). Understanding the dynamics and differential site conditions associated with cattail invasion and persistence in young and intermediate aged mitigation sites is a serious issue for VDOT mitigation site planners since it often forms persistent monotypic stands that may not meet permit requirements. The proposed work is intended to help identify the environmental conditions (biological, chemical, and physical) that enable Typha spp. to rapidly colonize primary succession (created mitigation) wetlands. By doing so, we hope to provide the VDOT non-tidal wetland creation designers with new tools/methods to help minimize, or possibly eliminate, rapid colonization, and possibly dominance, of Typha spp. in created wetlands. |
|