Finding the Most Cost Effiecent Method to Decrease the Number of Invasive Vines in the Nolde Forest

Abstract

The Nolde Forest is a state park in Pennsylvania which is home to over hundreds of plant species; however, not all the species are native. The Nolde Forest is overruled with invasive vines. Though there are multiple methods to decrease the vegetation they are often expensive and there is no record on how much the Nolde Forest spends on invasive plant management leading to the research question: What is the most cost efficient method to decrease the number of invasive vines in the Nolde Forest? The vines used for the study were english ivy, mile-a-minute, and chinese wisteria all invasive vines in the Nolde Forest hurting native plants. The methods used to decrease the vegetation are chemical, biological, as well as manual and mechanical. The research methods used to find the most cost efficient method to decrease vines were through quantitative and qualitative data. Through interviews and information from other parks lead the information to be found in different hypotheticals finding supplies and the amount of supplies needed. In the end the most cost efficient method to decrease the amount of invasive vines in the Nolde Forest was the chemical spray method.

Author(s): McKinley Josephine Morris

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