Potential Effects of the Loss of Native Grasses on Grassland Invertebrate Diversity in Southeastern Australia

Reduction in area of the southeastern temperate grasslands of Australia since European settlement has been accompanied by degradation of remaining remnants by various factors, including the replacement of native plant species by introduced ones. There are suggestions that these replacements have had deleterious effects on the invertebrate grassland community, but there is little evidence to support these suggestions. In the eastern Adelaide Hills of South Australia, four grassland invertebrate sampling areas, in close proximity, were chosen to be as similar as possible except for the visible amount of native grass they contained. Sample areas were surveyed in four periods (summer, winter, spring, and a repeat summer) using pitfall traps and sweep-netting. A vegetation cover survey was conducted in spring. Morphospecies richness and Fisher’s alpha were compared and showed significant differences between sample areas, mainly in the summer periods. Regression analyses between morphospecies richness and various features of the groundcover/surface showed a strong positive and logical association between native grass cover and morphospecies richness. Two other associations with richness were less strong and lacked a logical explanation. If the suggested direct effect of native grass cover on invertebrate diversity is true, it has serious implications for the conservation of invertebrate biodiversity.

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Herbicide and Native Grass Seeding Effects on Sulfur Cinquefoil (Potentilla Recta)-Infested Grasslands

Invasive Plant Science and Management ◽

10.1614/ipsm-07-005.1 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

pp. 50-58 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Bryan A. Endress ◽

Catherine G. Parks ◽

Bridgett J. Naylor ◽

Steven R. Radosevich

Keyword(s):

Ecological Restoration ◽

Early Summer ◽

Grass Species ◽

Management Approach ◽

Native Plant ◽

Herbicide Application ◽

Native Grass ◽

Native Plant Species ◽

Wide Range ◽

Exotic Grass

AbstractSulfur cinquefoil is an exotic, perennial forb that invades a wide range of ecosystems in western North America. It forms dense populations and often threatens native plant species and communities. In this study, we address the following questions: (1) what herbicides, rates, and application times are most effective at reducing sulfur cinquefoil abundance while having the least impact on native plants; and (2) does postherbicide seeding with native grass species increase native plant abundance? In 2002, we experimentally examined the effects of five herbicides (dicamba + 2,4-D; metsulfuron-methyl; triclopyr; glyphosate; and picloram) at two rates of application (low and high), three application times (early summer, fall, and a combined early summer–fall treatment), and two postherbicide seed addition treatments (seeded or not seeded) on sulfur cinquefoil abundance, plant community composition, and species richness. Experimental plots were monitored through 2005. Picloram was the most effective herbicide at reducing sulfur cinquefoil density, the proportion of remaining adult plants, and seed production. The effects of picloram continued to be evident after 3 yr, with 80% reduction of sulfur cinquefoil in 2005. In addition, seeding of native grass seeds alone (no herbicide application) reduced the proportion of sulfur cinquefoil plants that were reproductively active. Despite reductions in sulfur cinquefoil abundance, all treatments remained dominated by exotic species because treated areas transitioned from exotic forb- to exotic grass-dominated communities. However, a one-time herbicide application controlled sulfur cinquefoil for at least 3 yr, and therefore might provide a foundation to begin ecological restoration. Herbicide applications alone likely are to be insufficient for long-term sulfur cinquefoil control without further modification of sites through native grass or forb seeding. Integrating herbicides with native plant seeding to promote the development of plant communities that are resistant to sulfur cinquefoil invasion is a promising management approach to ecological restoration.

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The risk of exotic and native plants as hosts for four pest thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripinae)

Bulletin of Entomological Research ◽

10.1017/s0007485309990459 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 100 (5) ◽

pp. 501-510 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

N.A. Schellhorn ◽

R.V. Glatz ◽

G.M. Wood

Keyword(s):

Plant Species ◽

Frankliniella Occidentalis ◽

Native Plants ◽

Insect Pests ◽

South Australia ◽

Thrips Tabaci ◽

Native Plant ◽

Native Plant Species ◽

Thrips Species ◽

Weed Hosts

AbstractInteractions among insect pests, crops and weeds are well recognised. In fact, the elimination of weed hosts outside of the crop is a common practice to control many insect-vectored viruses. However, little is known about interactions among insect pests, crops and native vegetation, and whether native plants may be used to revegetate areas where weed hosts have been eliminated as part of horticultural management regimes. We used the Northern Adelaide Plains horticultural region (South Australia, Australia) as a model system to study the potential of various plant taxa in hosting four pest thrips (three exotic, one native; Frankliniella occidentalis, F. schultzei, Thrips tabaci and T. imaginis) when located adjacent to, and distant from, horticultural crops. Flower funnels were used for standardised sampling of thrips on flowers from 19 exotic weed and 12 native plant species, representing 13 and three families, respectively. Flowers were sampled monthly over a year, and statistical analyses were performed to identify significant determinants of probability of thrips occurrence and density. Plant family was found to significantly influence both measures for each thrips species. In addition, crop proximity influenced the probability of occurrence for the two Frankliniella species (but only influenced density of the key pest F. occidentalis), and season influenced density of all four pest thrips. All native plant species tested had a low likelihood of hosting the three exotic thrips species. Overall, results suggest that judicious choice of surrounding vegetation has potential to be an important component of integrated pest management (IPM) while increasing biodiversity conservation.

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A Statistically Rigorous Approach to Experimental Design of Vertical Living Walls for Green Buildings

Urban Science ◽

10.3390/urbansci3030071 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (3) ◽

pp. 71 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Rosmina Bustami ◽

Chris Brien ◽

James Ward ◽

Simon Beecham ◽

Robyn Rawlings

Keyword(s):

Green Infrastructure ◽

South Australia ◽

Urban Environments ◽

Native Plant ◽

Native Plant Species ◽

Rigorous Approach ◽

Plant Groups ◽

Multiple Treatments ◽

Carry Over ◽

Carry Over Effect

Living walls (LW) have been widely proposed as a form of green infrastructure to improve aesthetics, energy consumption, and microclimate in urban environments by adding densely-planted vegetation to the outside walls of buildings. Scientific studies using multiple treatments in a single LW face challenges due to the close physical proximity of different treatments, particularly the potential for plants above to influence those below. A study on a west-facing LW was undertaken to investigate 36 unique treatments in Adelaide, South Australia, for nine months. The LW comprised combinations of six native plant species, three soil substrates and two irrigation volumes. The LW consisted of 144 modular trays mounted on a wall in a 12 × 12 grid with four replicates of each treatment. The location of each treatment was designed to account for a cascading carry-over effect that may be present when one plant is placed above another. Carry-over effect of the model designed showed mixed results among the plant groups identified. It was also found that long-form plants can significantly shade smaller plants below them. Experimental research into the performance of plants in mixed species LW should consider the carry-over effect to account for this.

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Patterns of invasion of an urban remnant of a species-rich grassland in southeastern Australia by non-native plant species

Journal of Vegetation Science ◽

10.2307/3237117 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 9 (2) ◽

pp. 181-190 ◽

Cited By ~ 66

Author(s):

John W. Morgan

Keyword(s):

Plant Species ◽

Native Plant ◽

Native Plant Species ◽

Southeastern Australia

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A Guide to Planting Wildflower Enhancements in Florida

EDIS ◽

10.32473/edis0in1180-2017 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 2017 (5) ◽

Author(s):

Mary C. Bammer ◽

Josh Campbell ◽

Chase B. Kimmel ◽

James D.. Ellis ◽

Jaret C. Daniels

Keyword(s):

Management Practices ◽

Insect Pests ◽

Native Plant ◽

Agricultural Producers ◽

Native Plant Species ◽

Control Techniques ◽

Wild Bee ◽

Pollinator Species ◽

Nesting Sites ◽

The Right

The establishment of native wildflower plantings in Florida can benefit agricultural producers as well as native pollinators and other beneficial insects (predators and parasitoids). The plantings do this by: providing forage and nesting sites for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, increasing wild bee numbers possibly across the farm, and increasing natural enemies of insect pests (that also depend on forage and nesting sites). This document discusses choosing the right mix of native plant species to benefit many pollinator species, as well as proper site selection, planting practices, and weed control techniques. Wildflower plots should be practical to manage, maximize benefits to wildlife, and fit into the overall management practices of the property.

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