Effect of the Season of Selective Removal of Invasive Plants on the Restoration of Tive Vegetation in Gravelly Riverbeds

27 Mar Effect of the Season of Selective Removal of Invasive Plants on the Restoration of Tive Vegetation in Gravelly Riverbeds

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Abstract

English Abstract

We aimed to investigate the seaso l effects of removing invasive plants on the herbaceous community invaded by Coreopsis lanceolata, especially in terms of the restoration of the tive vegetation in gravelly riverbeds. Invasive plants were removed either in June (once) or in June and October (twice). This was performed for 1, 2, or 4 years. After the 4-year experiment, the number of existing seed banks, emerging seedlings, flowering individuals, and total shoots of C. lanceolata decreased in the plots after removal both in June and in June and October. Therefore, the effect on controlling C. lanceolata did not differ among the different seasons of removal. On the other hand, removal in June resulted in increased domi nce of tive perennial herbs in the plots. However, a significant increase in the domi nce of alien annual and biennial herbs was also observed, and recovery of domi nce of tive perennial herbs was suppressed in the plots after removal in June and October. In conclusion, this study shows that the tive vegetation in gravelly riverbeds was more effectively restored on removal in June than that in June and October.