Project 1: Undesirable Plant Management

Project Name
The Ehly/Lawry Prairie

Location
Iowa City, IA

Synopsis
The Ehly/Lawry prairie is vulnerable to undesirable plant incursion for three main reasons:

Small size (1/4 acre)
lack of prescribed fire
presence of large, adjacent weed sources

Consequently, the presence and quantity of undesirable and pernicious weeds have increased in recent years. Accordingly, a weed management plan has been drawn up and instituted.

Project Goals

Decrease seed production, vegetative propagation, and the overall presence of undesirable and pernicious weeds through mechanical and chemical means.
Promote the health, vigor, and quantity of native plant species through interseeding and prescribed fire.

Project Timeframe: 2006-2008

Date	Action	Target
Fall 2006	Herbicide Spot Treatment(s), Hand Pulling/Trowelling & Mowing	Spot Treatment - black locust, mint autumn olive & misc. native trees Hand Pulling/Trowelling - burdock, wild parsnip, & tall thistle Mowing - ragweed
Spring 2007	Prescribed Fire	All
Summer 2007	Hand Pulling/Trowelling & Mowing	Hand Pulling/Trowelling - mint, crown vetch, burdock, Queen Anne's lace, wild parsnip & Canada thistle Mowing - ragweed
Fall 2007	Herbicide Spot Treatment(s), Hand Pulling/Trowelling & Mowing	Spot Treatment - black locust, autumn olive & misc. native trees Hand Pulling/Trowelling - mint, crown vetch, burdock, Queen Anne's lace, wild parsnip & Canada thistle Mowing - ragweed
Spring 2008	Herbicide Spot Treatment(s), Hand Pulling/Trowelling & Mowing	Spot Treatment - black locust, autumn olive & misc. native trees Hand Pulling/Trowelling - mint, crown vetch, burdock, Queen Anne's lace, wild parsnip & Canada thistle Mowing - ragweed

Weed Species

Species and Habitat		Concerns
autumn olive (Elaeagnus umbellata) perennial tree		Requires additional control measures beyond 3-year prescribed fire regime.
black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) perennial tree		Requires additional control measures beyond 3-year prescribed fire regime.
burdock (Arctium spp.) biennial forb		Requires additional control measures beyond 3-year prescribed fire regime.
Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense) biennial forb		Requires additional control measures beyond 3-year prescribed fire regime.
crown vetch (Securigera varia) perennial forb		Requires additional control measures beyond 3-year prescribed fire regime.
giant/great ragweed (Ambrosia trifida) annual forb		Requires additional control measures beyond 3-year prescribed fire regime.
smooth brome (Bromus inermis) perennial grass		Requires additional control measures beyond 3-year prescribed fire regime.
wild mint (Mentha arvensis) perennial forb		Requires additional control measures beyond 3-year prescribed fire regime.
wild carrot/Queen Anne's lace (Daucus carota) biennial forb		Requires additional control measures beyond 3-year prescribed fire regime.
wild parsnip (Pastinaca sativa) biennial forb		Requires additional control measures beyond 3-year prescribed fire regime. Note: Wild parsnip contains a substance called psoralen, which can cause "phytophotodermatitis." A reaction occurs when plant juice gets on the skin and then the skin is exposed to sunlight. The results are reddening, rash development and in severe cases, blisters, skin discoloration and burning or scalding type pain. Wild parsnip burns often occur in elongated spots or streaks. Dark red or brownish skin discoloration develops where the burn or blisters first appeared and can last for several months, possibly up to two years. Extra care should be taken to wear protective clothing before working with this plant.

Next Steps

Mechanical treatments have significantly set back weeds.
Prescribed fire in Spring '07 will encourage native seed germination while setting back weed species.
Long-term goals include: reduction and control of heavily infested areas through continued mechanical and herbicidal treatments. Weed populations should begin to decline in 2008.