Gardner, D. E. 1986. Alien plant control in Hawaiian National Parks: Problems and progress. National Park Service and The George Wright Society, (Spons.). Abstracts of the 4th Triennial Conference on Research in the National Parks and Equivalent Reserves. The George Wright Society, Washington, D. C. 187
ABSTRACT
Alien plants are among the highest priority management problems in Hawaiian NPS areas. Approximately 20 non-native species are particularly aggressive and pose serious threats to native ecosystems. They represent a variety of families and growth forms, including grasses, shrubs, trees, and vines. It is necessary to develop control techniques suitable for each species individually. Control procedures must be selectively applicable so as not to damage closely neighboring native plants. Firetree (Myrica faya), banana poka (Passiflora molilsslma), kahili ginger (Hedychium Gardnerianum), strawberry guava (Psidium cattleianum), wild blackberry (Rubus penetrans), and broomsedge (Andropogon virginicus) are considered out of control on a park-wide basis. However, control by mechanical removal or herbicidal application may be possible in small areas within parks which are particularly unique and/or are critical habitats for endemic species, some of which are rare and endangered. Biocontrol may be the only feasible approach for park-wide control of certain well-established and widespread alien plants in NPS areas. The NPS, as well as other federal and state agencies, is represented on an interagency steering committee for biocontrol of forest weeds, through which cooperation and coordination of biocontrol research among interested agencies is achieved. An approved entomological research quarantine facility is in operation in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, and similar facilities for containment of plant disease organisms are being established at the University of Hawaii CPSU. Two insect species from South America and one vascular wilt fungus from Australia are currently being tested as potential biocontrol agents for banana poka.
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RELEVANT TO BIOCONTROL
No.
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