Successful Applicant:
PEI Invasive Species Council
Award:
$3,600
Project Title:
The Biology, Impacts and Management of Invasive Oriental Bittersweet
Project Gallery:
Project Summary:
The primary goal of this project was to investigate the biology and ecological impacts of the invasive plant, oriental bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus) and develop an integrated management plan for effective control of this invasive vine. Oriental bittersweet is an invasive vine that poses a significant threat to native plant communities. With its rapid twinning growth, oriental bittersweet competes aggressively for light and girdles surrounding vegetation as it makes its way to the top of the canopy. This severely weakens surrounding vegetation, restricts nutrient and water flow and makes it more susceptible to wind and ice damage. Current recommendations for control of oriental bittersweet involve chemical treatments and application methods not suitable to the sensitive habitats oriental bittersweet often entwines itself in. There the goals of this project were to:
Survey and map the distribution of oriental bittersweet across PEI
Assess the effects of oriental bittersweet on native plant communities
Prepare a botanical description of oriental bittersweet
Evaluate control options for management of oriental bittersweet
Develop and disseminate a management plan for control of oriental bittersweet
The current distribution of oriental bittersweet across PEI is unknown, however, several populations exist in the eastern end of PEI in the Georgetown area. Therefore, four sites known to have oriental bittersweet present were chosen as experimental sites for the development of an integrated management plan. In addition, these sites and locations directly adjacent where oriental bittersweet was not present served to assess the ecological impact of oriental bittersweet on ecosystem processes. This is a two year project and therefore this report will reflect what has been accomplished in year one.