ECOLOGY OF INVASIVE WEEDS: IMPACT AND MANAGEMENT OF THE EXOTIC WEEDS, GORSE (ULEX EUROPAEUS) AND SCOTCH BROOM (CYTISUS SCOPARIUS) IN BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA

摘要

Many exotic pests have made rapid incursions beyond their natural range of potential dispersal and have caused a negative economic, ecological or social impact. Gorse (Ulex europaeus) and Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius) are two such leguminous weeds that arrived from overseas and have established themselves in the western landscapes of USA and Canada. In Canada, they are localized in agricultural, industrial, urban, right-of-way, rangeland and forestry landscapes of British Columbia and have impacted negatively on the native ecosystems. Experiments carried out in some forest districts on Vancouver Island suggest, that both species are nuisance and suppress the growth of young Douglas-fir seedlings. Control tactics involves mechanical removal, use of chemical herbicides or potential deployment of new biological control measures. An integrated approach using a bioherbicide, a herbicide and mulching has been tested and some treatments were found to show promise against gorse.