Carex acuta and Carex acutiformis have been identified as problem plant species on floodplain meadows in the UK and western Europe and invasive plants in wetland habitats in North America and Canada. A double-cut treatment has been proposed as a control method, however this has not been scientifically tested. This thesis explores the ecology of C. aeuta and C. aeutiformis, the effectiveness of a double cut treatment on their control, the effects of the cutting treatment on the plant community and potential mechanisms regulating the expansion and persistence of the dominant sedge species in sub-optimal conditions. Field trials were set up to monitor the effects of cutting treatment on the meadow vegetation and pot experiments assess the effects of cutting on Carex plant traits. Mesocosm experiments were also undertaken to explore the relationships between water regime, microbial community and plant competition. The field trials revealed that a double cut was a successful treatment to control C. aeuta and C. aeutiformis on ftoodplain meadows. The frequency of the cutting treatment was more important than the timing of the additional cut in controlling C. aeufa and C. aeutiformis. Carex traits were not affected by the timing of defoliation, however flowering in C. aeufa significantly decreased with a double cut compared to a single cut. The microbial community had no effect on the plant community in the mesocosm experiment, the reasons for this are discussed. Drying stress decreased the yield, but not necessarily the percentage cover of the studied sedges and increased the cover of drought tolerant plants in the field and in the mesocosm experiments. Recommendations of short-term treatments to control C. aeuta and C. aeutiformis are presented in this study.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:606954 |
| Date | January 2013 |
| Creators | Newman, Sonia K. |
| Publisher | Open University |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
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