Invasions in the Prairie Pothole Region: Addressing the Effects of Exotic Plants on Wetland and Grassland Ecosystems and Restoration Efforts
Abstract
Three wetland restoration methods: seeding, seeding + hay mulch, and seeding + hay mulch + vegetation plugs were compared via the plant community within a formerly cropped wetland in southeastern North Dakota. Arrangement of plugs were also compared to assess the success of native species establishment. Mean relative cover for native species and introduced species were recorded and analyzed to compare the restoration methods and plug arrangement. Three herbicide treatments were studied on upland prairie sites with and without prescribed burning to test effects on leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula) control and seeded native establishment. There is no difference native species richness between the restoration methods six years post restoration, and no difference in plant cover in the different arrangement of plugs. Quinclorac significantly reduced leafy spurge cover; however, glyphosate treatments had higher cover of seeded native species.