University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Crown vetch (Coronilla varia) control strategy for Lost Mound sand prairie

Wenny, Daniel G.; Nyboer, R.

Permalink

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/18095

Description

Title
Crown vetch (Coronilla varia) control strategy for Lost Mound sand prairie
Author(s)
  • Wenny, Daniel G.
  • Nyboer, R.
Issue Date
2008-11-07
Keyword(s)
  • invasive species
  • INHS Division of Ecology and Conservation Science
  • INHS Section for Field Stations and Ecosystem Science
  • USFWS
  • Science in support of ecosystem management and conservation
  • Science in support of invasive species prevention, management and control
Abstract
Crown vetch (Coronilla varia) is an aggressive non-native legume species that forms dense monospecific mats and crowds out native grasses, forbs, and even shrubs. It is the most serious invasive species threat in the sand prairies at the former Savanna Army Depot (hereafter Lost Mound) and has high potential to fundamentally alter the sand prairie plant communities. Crown vetch may cause declines of some of the 13 state-listed plants species, reductions of other native plants, and diminished habitat quality for grassland birds. In addition, crown vetch is a nitrogen-fixing plant and alters soil properties by increasing nitrogen availability and facilitating the growth of nitrogen-limited plant species including many other non-native species. Because crown vetch is widespread at Lost Mound and herbicides are expensive, we undertook this project to examine the effectiveness of three different chemicals for killing crown vetch in order to develop a more efficient control strategy.
Publisher
Division of Ecology and Conservation Science Section for Field Stations and Ecosystem Science
Series/Report Name or Number
Technical Report INHS 2008 (40)
Type of Resource
text
Language
en
Permalink
http://hdl.handle.net/2142/18095
Sponsor(s)/Grant Number(s)
INHS Technical Report Prepared for USFWS
Copyright and License Information
This document is a product of the Illinois Natural History Survey, and has been selected and made available by the Illinois Natural History Survey and the University Library, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It is intended solely for noncommercial research and educational use, and proper attribution is requested.

Owning Collections

Technical Reports - Illinois Natural History Survey
Reports produced by INHS staff, usually as deliverables for assessment projects funded by federal or state agencies or non-governmental organizations.