Powell, P.A. et al

Individual effects of mechanical and chemical control treatment on Ligustrum lucidum and other exotic species invading subtropical forests, Horco Molle, Tucumán, Argentina, 2021-2023

https://doi.org/10.5285/199d5e9f-0a23-4166-a200-0b03384835a4 Cite this dataset

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The data resource consists of invasive tree species individual responses to mechanical-chemical/chemical treatments on plots established on invaded sub-tropical mountain secondary forests (Yungas). Those plots are in the Horco Molle experimental reserve and Parque Sierra de San Javier (Horco Molle), Tucumán, Argentina. The current database belongs to an experiment that we conducted to investigate management control of the invasion of non-native species Ligustrum and other exotic species to restore native tree diversity from June 2020 to November 2023.

The work was carried out as part of NERC grant NE/S011641/1 Optimising the long-term management of invasive species affecting biodiversity and the rural economy using adaptive management.

Publication date: 2024-03-26

Format

Comma-separated values (CSV)

Spatial information

Study area
Spatial representation type: Tabular (text)
Spatial reference system: WGS 84 / Pseudo-Mercator

Temporal information

Temporal extent: 2020-06-01 to 2023-11-30

Provenance & quality

The data looks at invasive tree species individual responses to mechanical-chemical/chemical treatments were part of a field experiment on the management of secondary forests affected by Ligustrum lucidum invasion. This was undertaken by establishing 6 permanent plots of 240 metres by 140 meters each (3.36 hectares, see included shapefile). Plots were established in pairs (3 pairs in total), where one element of the pair was assigned as the null scenario (no actions applied), and the other was the control (L. lucidum control and native tree planting). Before management actions, we conducted the census.

The data includes the responses of 1184 stems of invasive trees (mainly Ligustrum lucidum) located in 3 plots under management with arbitrary coordinates (x for the longest side and y for the shortest) to assess the location of each tree. For each tree stem with a perimeter at breast height (PBH) >15.7 cm, the tree was assigned a tagged ID and the species was recorded, the PBH measured and the presence of secondary stems. At a later stage, a treatment was assigned (mechanical-chemical or only chemical), taking into account PBH sizes and locations (to have similar quantities of treatment along individual sizes and locations).

For the stems assigned to a “mechanical-chemical treatment", we cut the stem with a chainsaw and immediately applied the herbicide aminopyralid (1.5% water-dissolved solution). For the stems assigned to a “chemical treatment", we injected the same herbicide into the stem. Every month, we monitored the individual responses to treated stems (resprout, stress signs, death).

After one year from the control, we applied a second treatment to the stems with mechanical-chemical treatment that had been resprouted. The stems with only chemical treatment had no effect, and the cost of application was high, so we did not apply a second treatment. The individual responses for all the mechanical- chemical-treated stems every two months for one year.

Data were recorded onto field sheets, transferred into spreadsheets and exported as comma-separated value (CSV) files for deposit into the EIDC.