| The Effectiveness of Management Options Used for the
Control of Spartina Species |
What is the aim
of the review?
To systematically collate and synthesise published and unpublished
evidence in order to examine the effectiveness of management interventions
used to control the abundance or completely eradicate invasive
Spartina species; and to analyse, when possible, the effects that
potential sources of heterogeneity (e.g. substrate type) have
on the results.
Who's in the review team?
At what stage is the review?
This review is now complete. What is the rationale?
Spartina spp. (cordgrasses) have been introduced to the estuaries
around Europe, U.S.A., Australia, New Zealand and Asia as a coastal
management tool to stabilise mud banks and through accidental
introductions. These non-native Spartina species are highly aggressive
in their new environment, and frequently become the dominant plant
species in areas they invade displacing native flora and fauna.
Over the past decade coastal management
priorities have changed, with control of non-native species becoming
important.The need for a systematic review on control of Spartina
sp. was identified through consultation with a number of stakeholders
who undertake management actions against Spartina on an annual
basis, but are concerned that their management practices are not
being effective at controlling or in some cases completely eradicating
invasions.
How were the results obtained?
A number of electronic databases were searched for information
using a range of search terms. Internet searches were conducted
in order to retrieve any relevant grey literature. The websites
of several major UK conservation organisations were also searched
for useful publications. 5213 unique references were identified
through the search strategy; 46 of these were accepted into the
final review having met all inclusion criteria.
What
did the review find?
To read more about this review, its findings, and the implications for conservationists and researchers, please see the Summary or Full Report.
Comments?
If you would like to comment on any aspect of this review, please email us. Your feedback is appreciated.
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Holkham Bay, Norfolk, UK