Best-practice chemical control of English broom (Cytism scoparius) evaluated in Alpine National Park, Victoria, through adaptive experimental management program

摘要

Parks Victoria established an adaptive experimental management (AEM) program in the Alpine National Park for English broom (Cytisus scoparius L.) after the bushfires of January 2003. The effectiveness, efficiency and environmental outcomes of best-practice chemical control strategies are being evaluated on a series of trial plots, and some preliminary results are presented here. Timing of initial treatment plays a major role in the success of herbicide treatments, with costs to treat one hectare plots nearly doubling from one growing season to the next. Satisfactory reductions in broom cover were achieved with both selective and non-selective herbicides despite initial treatments being conducted very late in the growing season, at a time of year nottraditionally utilised for chemical control. Short-term effects of herbicides on species richness show declines in richness on some plots in all treatments. Ongoing measurements on these plots will provide useful results to guide management decisions and assist in developing meaningful management targets.