The Applied Vegetation Dynamics Laboratory - Research Approaches - Experiment

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The Cavenham Study

The UK bracken control study

Selected references

Approaches - Experiment

The UK bracken control study (1993- 2004) - funded by DEFRA:

In 1993 a series of experiments were set up in different regional locations within the UK

Location of experimental sites

Location of Experimental Sites

Most of these experiments have a common suite of bracken control treatments as main plot treatments, with site-specific restoration treatments as sub-plot treatments.

Bracken control - always at main plot level	Treatments applied at at least one site as sub-plot level
Cut once per year	Seeding using Calluna brash ± nurse crop3
Cut twice per year	Seeding using Calluna litter plus nurse crop3
Cut in 1st year, herbicide1 in 2nd	Stock fencing
Herbicide1	Bracken litter burning
Herbicide in 1st year, cut in 2nd	Bracken litter harrowing
Herbicide2 follow-up treatment	Fertiliser (Enmag) application

Data on bracken frond performance and development of ground vegetation are being collected annually; changes in bracken rhizome performance, buried seed bank and soils are collected occasionally.

A Cheerful Bunch of Rhizome Diggers in the Peak District, October 2000

Grinding the Rhizomes!

Large amounts of dust are produced during the grinding process, hence the need to don protective clothing.

Contact: Rob Marrs

Collaborators: Dr Andrea Britton, Mike Le Duc, Dr Robin Pakeman

Graduate students

Steve Paterson 1996. Control and modelling of bracken (Pteridium aquilinum (L) Kuhn) in Great Britain

Andrea Britton 1998. Modelling invasions on heathlands

Mitchell, R.J. 1997. Studies of succession on Dorset heaths.

Kate Snow 1995. A study of the manipulation of soils chemical properties for the recreation of areas of conservation interest

Kathy Owen 1998. The creation of heathland and acid grassland on former arable land at Minsmere.

Anna Milligan 1998. The control of Molinia caerulea (L.) Moench in British upland moorlands.

Roger Humphry 1999. Herbicide effects on a plant community and on monocultures of different densities.

Jon Huckle 2000. Ecology of Spartina on the Dee estuary

Contact: Applied Vegetation Dynamics Laboratory, School of Environmental Science, Biosciences Building, Crown Street, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZB

Direct: Professor Marrs +44 (0) 151 795 5172

Lab telephone: +44 (0) 151 795 5173

Fax:+44 (0) 151 795 5171