European marsh thistle management plan for the Nature Conservancy Preserves, Door County, Wisconsin

Author / Creator

Bartelme, Christiana M., author

Available as

Physical

Summary

This management plan highlights background information on The Nature Conservancy (TNC), the Ramsar designated wetlands, and the invasive European marsh thistle. An experimental research project was...

This management plan highlights background information on The Nature Conservancy (TNC), the Ramsar designated wetlands, and the invasive European marsh thistle. An experimental research project was done in which data was collected, in addition to observational data from the author and those working specifically in these wetland communities, to formulate recommendations to be used by TNC in Door County. These recommendations have the potential to be adjusted by other organizations that have European marsh thistle on their property. The recommendations broadly include three key aspects: education, long term monitoring, and control efforts. Evaluating the efforts based on funding opportunities, staff availability, and how the European marsh thistle is responding to the treatments is a key aspect in the recommendation efforts. Implementation of a five phase plan tailored to the European marsh thistle includes 1) planning and prioritizing based on past data gathered, 2) surveying current areas that have infestations, 3) controlling via herbicide mechanisms, 4) controlling during July via mechanical methods (cutting and bagging seed heads), and 5) survey treated areas of European marsh thistle. This management plan and the associated recommendations are specific to, TNC as an organization, the Door County regional wetland communities, and the species, the European marsh thistle.

Show More