Weed Impact Research Articles

The Socio-Economic and Ecological Impacts of Water Hyacinth Proliferation in water bodies: A Case from Greater Kochi area in South India

Purpose of this study is to critically analyze the socio-ecological impact of water hyacinth on the water bodies passing through 7 wards of the Thrippunithura Municipality in the Ernakulam district of the state of Kerala, India, by checking the quality of water and conducting surveys among the people. Research Design The study employs a combination of exploratory and descriptive research approaches. Purposive sampling targets individuals directly impacted by water hyacinth proliferation. Methodology Data collection involved direct surveys using a structured questionnaire and water samples from selected regions. Results: reveal significant socio-economic ramifications of water hyacinth proliferation, particularly impacting fishing communities. Challenges include job losses, diminished access to fishing grounds, navigational hindrances, reduced catches, and fish scarcity. Ecologically, water quality parameters show notable disparities between heavily-infested and less-infested areas, highlighting the weed's impact on aquatic ecosystems. The phytoremediation potential of water hyacinth was also explored, revealing its ability to accumulate heavy metals such as chromium, cadmium, copper, zinc, lead, iron, and arsenic. Originality of Research This study records the socio-ecological impact of water hyacinths on the communities and environment, particularly the water bodies, of the Greater Cochin area, Kerala, India.

Factors influencing rural landholder support for a mandated weed control policy

Mandated weed control has a long history as a tool to restrict the spread and impact of serious agricultural and environmental weed species. For mandated control to be effective, control requirements must be strictly enforced for both private and public landholders, and landholders themselves must be supportive of legal enforcement requirements. Using data from a 2011 landholder survey of fireweed (Senecio madagascariensis) impact and management in south-eastern Australia, we explored the factors influencing attitudes to mandated weed control. Factors associated with support for mandated fireweed weed control included compelling poorly performing neighbours to manage their weeds more effectively, optimism regarding the potential to restrict a weed's impact, current control activity, and the potential for mandated control to restrict or slow the spread of fireweed. Factors associated with opposition to mandated fireweed control included the burden it places on landholders, pessimism about the potential to restrict a weed's spread or reduce its impact, the view that bad fireweed problems result from certain land management practices, and a belief that declaration had not worked for other weed species. Mandated fireweed control is most likely to be of benefit in regions where the weed has not established fully, and there is a greater chance of successfully restricting its spread and establishment. It is critical to focus on lifestyle farmers and absentee farmers who are less likely to have an economic incentive to manage fireweed. In regions where fireweed is already established, the goal is to reduce its impact on farm productivity, rather than attempting containment or eradication. In this case, non-mandated control approaches are more appropriate, including education, control support, and encouragement of cross-boundary control activities.

Herbage Yield Losses in Perennial Pasture Due to Canada Thistle (Cirsium arvense)

Although the impact of Canada thistle (CT) on annual crop production is relatively well established, few investigations report on this weed's impact within perennial pastures. This field study assessed herbage yield losses within eight central Alberta pastures from 1999 to 2001. Each pasture was sampled in 1999 to quantify thistle and herbage biomass within 25 permanent plots. CT was controlled in 2000 and the response of vegetation measured in 2000 and 2001. Before removal, significant negative relationships (P < 0.05) between thistle abundance and herbage were noted at six sites. After thistle removal, herbage at several sites displayed positive responses. Both thistle density and biomass adequately predicted herbage yield loss. Yield losses due to CT can be substantial, peaking at 2 kg/ha for each kilogram of standing thistle biomass and 4.3 kg/ha with each additional thistle stem per square meter. Demonstrated yield losses were variable among sites however, likely due to factors such as heterogeneity in soils, available moisture, and variation in disturbance history or pasture vegetation composition. CT management in perennial pastures of western Canada may enhance pasture production, but further research is required to reliably predict the ability of pastures to respond.