Native plant and weed diversity in forest remnants affected by Tradescantia fluminensis management

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the effects of different management practices for Tradescantia fluminensis in lowland podocarp/broadleaf forest remnants in the lower North Island. Fourteen 50 m line transects, across eight sites, were established in April 2009 and assessed annually until 2012. Management practices prior to and during the study period were documented. Over the four assessments, changes in the numbers of native plant seedlings and species differed greatly between management practices as did the percent cover of Tradescantia and other weeds. Native species diversity improved more and the abundance of Tradescantia and other weeds increased less, in forests that were less disturbed and where careful on-going control was carried out, than in forests with more disturbance prior to or during control operations. Effective monitoring of both weeds and native plants is essential to enable the outcome of weed management practices to be measured. © 2012 New Zealand Plant Protection Society (Inc.).