Background & Purpose
Knotweed is an invasive plant specie from Asia and Europe and reproduces asexually. This plant rapidly takes over waterways, creating monocultures by outcompeting native vegetation, and spreads prolifically by stem propagation, producing large clonal colonies. Knotweed dies back in winter, but leaves stream banks exposed for maximum erosion.
Project purposes:
to determine the extent of knotweed invasion along our Tillamook waterways,
determine the rate of spread in each stream reach,
eradicate knotweeds where feasible by a school group,
and research novel ways to eradicate knotweed.
Project purposes:
to determine the extent of knotweed invasion along our Tillamook waterways,
determine the rate of spread in each stream reach,
eradicate knotweeds where feasible by a school group,
and research novel ways to eradicate knotweed.
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Research History
2006-2007
Began surveying and eradicating knotweed on school properties and on various project sites
2007-2008
High school natural resources students worked with agencies to produce invasive species signs including knotweed signs. Groups of 4 students in natural resources class created signs on invasive species that they presented to a panel of agency personnel from BLM, ODFW, ODF as well as TBWC. The best components of each group were combined. Agency graphic artists were modified and created the signs.
Began surveying and eradicating knotweed on school properties and on various project sites
2007-2008
High school natural resources students worked with agencies to produce invasive species signs including knotweed signs. Groups of 4 students in natural resources class created signs on invasive species that they presented to a panel of agency personnel from BLM, ODFW, ODF as well as TBWC. The best components of each group were combined. Agency graphic artists were modified and created the signs.
2008-2009 Shop students at Nestucca and Tillamook High Schools created triangular kiosks from galvanized metal to hold the large 3 X 4 foot signs. Students from Nestucca, Neahkahnie, and Tillamook High Schools placed kiosks within their areas. In addition smaller signs on PVC were created and placed at river access areas around the county by high school students and others Began kayak surveys on the Wilson and Trask Rivers for abundance and spread. Students carried out 2 independent research projects: one focused at determining plant identity by leaf morphology and the other focused on flower structure diversity, seed production, and seed viability. Little is known about the success of sexual reproduction of knotweeds in the United States. |
2009-2010
Continued knotweed surveys along rivers by kayak to determine rate of spread
Correlated kayak surveys with ground-based surveys
Independent research projects comparing knotweed success to the complexity of soil biota. Discovered that degraded soils with low soil biota biodiversity had a high potential for knotweed infestation compared to intact coniferous forest soils with complex soil biota.
Continued knotweed surveys along rivers by kayak to determine rate of spread
Correlated kayak surveys with ground-based surveys
Independent research projects comparing knotweed success to the complexity of soil biota. Discovered that degraded soils with low soil biota biodiversity had a high potential for knotweed infestation compared to intact coniferous forest soils with complex soil biota.
2010-2011
Continue knotweed surveys by kayak
Begin a large scale project evaluating the use of hemlock and spruce litter teas for controlling knotweed by changing soil biota
Continue knotweed surveys by kayak
Begin a large scale project evaluating the use of hemlock and spruce litter teas for controlling knotweed by changing soil biota