Workshop on New Grass Germplasms
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any organizations interested in furthering biological control of noxious weeds
along the Front Range.
Environmental concerns
Another aspect of our program is the potential impact on native thistle
species. These species are important to the Colorado ecosystem, and must be
taken into account when biocontrol agents are released.
Platte thistle is a native found at the Air Force Academy. It has definite phe-
nological differences compared to the weed musk thistle. Can an insect such as R.
conicus attack both? If so, what damage is the native subjected to? What damage
can be tolerated?
Our program has developed impact statements for native thistles, we track
the occurrence of natives at all sites, and we are conducting long-term research
on the impact to natives. We believe that the answer is not 0% impact. We must
take care so that natives are not destroyed, but the risk of doing nothing or using
alternative controls (herbicidal or mechanical) must also be assessed.
Future directions
In 2002, we intend to continue expanding the program to other Federal sites.
With continued help from our cooperators, we hope to begin a program this
summer at Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne, Wyoming, for control of Dal-
matian toadflax in an environmentally sensitive area where we will be dealing
with an endangered plant species, the Colorado butterfly plant.
Integrating weed management strategies: How to tie it all together
Cindy Lair, Boulder County Weed Supervisor, Boulder, Colorado
Timing is key to the control of weeds. We have a variety of tools, which
in addition to chemical or biological controls, include mapping, monitoring,
burning, and grazing. The right tool must be used at the right time so that it has
its desired effect.
Often a combination of tools provides the best results, taking into account the
proper timing. For example, biocontrols may be your main method of control, but
it can help to use herbicides or mowing along the edges to contain the weeds
while the biocontrol does its job. A good analogy is wildfire management: fight
the edges and prevent spread.
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