A demonstration study using the integrated technique of cutting plus waterlogging for the control of Spartina alterniflora

The control and eradication of the exotic and invasive plant Spartina. alterniflora at the Chongming Dongtan Nature Reserve, Shanghai is an important and necessary measure for biodiversity conservation management. A demonstration project was established at the Nature Reserve in 2007, and an integrated treatment technique of cutting plus waterlogging was conducted to investigate effective measures for controlling this invasive plant. The results showed that although the treatment of waterlogging alone could significantly reduce the density and leaf area index (LAI) of S. alterniflora at the early stage of growth, there were no significant differences in the biomass between the waterlogging treatment after 100 days, and the control. Thus, waterlogging treatment alone could not effectively and quickly control or eradicate S. alterniflora. It was observed, however, that cutting aboveground part of S. alterniflora at the key stage of growth (i.e. the blooming period in July) combined with waterlogging could effectively control and eradicate this plant. There was no regrowth of the emergent part of S. alterniflora after the cutting, and both the aboveground and belowground parts of S. alterniflora were killed, and the plants began to decompose at the end of the growing season (in October). Therefore, an integrated technique of cutting at the key stage of its growth combined with waterlogging for about 3 months has been shown to be a realistic and effective technique for controlling and managing the invasion of S. alterniflora in the Nature Reserve. The results of the demonstration project could provide a useful and effective approach to controlling and managing the large scale invasion of S. alterniflora in the estuarine and coastal areas of eastern China.