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Efficacy of Benthic Barriers as a Control Measure for Eurasian Watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Karen L. Laitala ,
Timothy S. Prather ,
Donn Thill ,
Brian Kennedy  and
Chris Caudill
Karen L. Laitala
Affiliation:
Department of Plants, Soil, and Entomological Sciences, University of Idaho, P.O. Box 442339, Moscow, ID 83844-2339
Timothy S. Prather*
Affiliation:
Department of Plants, Soil, and Entomological Sciences, University of Idaho, P.O. Box 442339, Moscow, ID 83844-2339
Donn Thill
Affiliation:
Department of Plants, Soil, and Entomological Sciences, University of Idaho, P.O. Box 442339, Moscow, ID 83844-2339
Brian Kennedy
Affiliation:
Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, University of Idaho, P.O. Box 441136, Moscow, ID 83844-1136
Chris Caudill
Affiliation:
Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, University of Idaho, P.O. Box 441141, Moscow, ID 83844-1141
*
Corresponding author's E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

The use of benthic barriers alone or in combination with other control methods could initiate the eradication of pioneer populations of Eurasian watermilfoil and facilitate maintenance of acceptable population levels in water bodies where the weed is widely established. We evaluated the effects of duration of geotextile fabric panel placement on small Eurasian watermilfoil population control and nontarget plant abundance. In 2006, benthic barriers were placed over Eurasian watermilfoil infestations and removed at intervals of 4, 8, 10, and 12 wk. The 4-wk duration reduced Eurasian watermilfoil biomass 75%, and all other duration treatments reduced Eurasian watermilfoil biomass 100%. The 4-wk treatment had no effect on native plant biomass, whereas other treatments reduced native plant biomass by 79 to 93%. At the conclusion of the 12-wk study, Eurasian watermilfoil biomass had increased in the 4-wk treatment but did not reestablish within treatment plots of longer duration. Native plant biomass had increased to 21% of the untreated control in the 8-wk barrier treatment. Results suggest the 8-wk duration is sufficient for removal of Eurasian watermilfoil while allowing regrowth of native aquatic plants. A walk-in growth chamber experiment was established to evaluate the effect of sediment accumulation on the benthic barrier. Eurasian watermilfoil fragments grown on sediment depths of 0 to 3 cm (0 to 1.2 in) did not differ for shoot or root biomass. At sediment depths of 4 and 5 cm, Eurasian watermilfoil root and shoot biomass increased when compared with the control, suggesting benthic barrier maintenance should include sediment removal when sediment reaches a depth of 4 cm.

Keywords

Eurasian watermilfoilMyriophyllum spicatum L.Myriophyllum spicatumbenthic barriersbiomass reductionnative aquatic plantssediment accumulation
Type
Research Article
Information
Invasive Plant Science and Management , Volume 5 , Issue 2 , June 2012 , pp. 170 - 177
Copyright
Copyright © Weed Science Society of America 

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Footnotes

Present address: Coordinator, Powell County Weed District, 210 Fair St., Deer Lodge, MT 59722

References

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