Categories: Global Health | Personal | Economy | Tourism As my final blog entry for the purpose of my International Tourism hospitality course I have learned and expanded on many topics I would have not otherwise known or looked into. In creating these blog posts, I have published 11 entries including this one for this course, written on a total of 12 categories, and watched over 15 related movies and alternate media channels such as TedTalks and YouTube. I am glad this is something I was introduced to and hope to continue working on. From this course I will continue as a HTM minor, as well as picking up sustainability efforts in the future. My Takeaways From Each Entry:
Final PresentationCreating Sustainability in Highly Trafficked Nature Locations at Ludington State Park with the Invasive Plant Species, the Giant Hogweed. abstract
An "invasive species" is defined as a species that is non-native to the ecosystem under consideration; and, whose introduction is likely to cause economic, environmental, or human harm. Giant Hogweed is an invasive species and is prohibited in Michigan. Standing up to 14 feet tall, this Asian native plant has the potential to harm humans as its sap can cause a severe skin reaction and damage the eyes. As this plant has made its way to Ludington State Park, concerns rise for human safety and how we plan to attack this growing issue. Problems
Investigation
Origin: (Biennial Weeds) Originating from Southeast Asia and native to the Caucasus Mountains, Giant Hogweed was first brought to America in 1917 to be used as an ornamental plant. Major spreading of the weed occurred between 1930 and 1982. It prefers open, slightly moist areas but is found in a wide variety of habitats. You can find Giant Hogweed along riverbanks, roadsides, streams, fields, and forests. Giant Hogweed is said to be most populous in New York, although it can be found in almost every state. Identifying Giant Hogweed:
Look Alike:
Local Threat: This invasive plant species has potential to cause harm to humans. Photo-dermatitis is the name of the severe skin reaction that can be caused by contact with skin and the sap from the plant. The skin will become sensitive to sunlight and may blister upon exposure to sunlight. The sap is also dangerous and harmful when in or around the eyes. Some animals, such as dogs, are affected by the plant in the same way as humans. Giant Hogweed has the ability to out-compete native vegetation due to the dense monocultures that it forms. This results in extremely influential impacts on ecosystems and their communities, to include sensitive and vulnerable habitats. How it Spreads: Since Giant Hogweed populations are typically located on riverbanks, the seeds are readily distributed downstream and deposited in the sediment. The plant implements a natural “die-back” during the winter seasons which exposes the riverbanks to erosion. In the spring, the riverbanks get recolonized through the germination of Giant Hogweed seeds from a temporary seed bank in the soil, coupled with the introduction of the new seeds that were carried downstream. Seeds can remain capable of working in soil for 15 years. Seeds that are held in dry-storage only remain viable for about 7 years. The removal and transportation of seed-heads for use in flower-arrangements has aided the spreading. Measures to be taken if you think you’ve come in contact with Giant Hogweed sap:
Life Cycle: It can take up to 4 years for a Giant Hogweed to flower. Flowering typically happens between June and July; the plant usually dies after flowering. A single flower head may have over 5,000 seeds and has the ability to produce between 50,000 and 80,000 seeds. The flowers themselves are insect-pollinated and self-compatible (meaning the plant can reproduce through self-pollen and the pollen of other individuals). Late August to mid-October is the timeframe that seeds are shed. In the first year, Giant Hogweed leaves grow over 1 m wide. The dense leaves then suppress other (native) vegetation. The plant dies down in the winter, then regrows in March and April. In the second, third, and fourth years it sends huge flat topped flower heads on a hollow stem up to 4 m high. Proposed solutions
Manual & Mechanical Control: Managing the spread of Giant Hogweed starts with the control and seizure of the seeds being spread by wind, water, and man. Unfortunately the seeds that are still present in the soil seedbank will continue to emerge for an upcoming 3 - 4 years. We can hand pick the seedlings and young plants while the larger ones can be cut down to ground level or dug out; wearing proper protective equipment and clothes of course. The taproots of each plant should be cut between 8 and 12 cm below ground, because cutting them above ground would encourage rampant growth. In the Spring, plants should be cut at least every 2 weeks. Areas of exposed soil left after the removal should be raked or sown, and native vegetation should be planted to help prevent any recolonization. Do NOT mow Giant Hogweed if it is larger than your mower, and NEVER mow if there is a flower or seed head. Grazing: Animals that are suitable for grazing Giant Hogweed without any sign of illness are: Cattle, sheep, pigs, and goats. Grazing should start around mid-March and continue throughout the growing period of June and July. Through this system, growth and spread of Giant Hogweed is slowed dramatically, but it does not kill off the plants. However, pig foraging should exterminate the plant through root damage. Insects: A number of insect species attack Giant Hogweed, although the majority of them don’t cause enough damage to be considered biological control agents. Powdery mildew and soft rots are among other fungal pathogens that aim to infect the Giant Hogweed. Herbicide: The application of herbicides is considered to be both cost efficient and effective. Herbicides can be used to control single plants or large populations of the plant. The herbicides are absorbed by the leaves and travel to the root, preventing any regrowth the following year. Herbicides like Triclopyr are often a selected herbicide for controlling Giant Hogweed because it only acts on broadleaf plants and will not cause harm to any of the grasses in the area. Glyphosate, a non-selective herbicide, will kill any vegetation that it comes into contact with. For a successful eradication of the Giant Hogweed through herbicides, repeated treatments over the span of years is required. challanges after implementation
Manual and Mechanical Control
Effects on Tourism if we introduced grazing
Herbicide
strategic steps to address problems
Grazing & Manual and Mechanical Control
Herbicide
Citations
Invasive Species. Michigan Invasive Species, State of Michigan, 2021, www.michigan.gov/invasives/0,5664,7-324-68002_71240_73853-368755--,00.html. Limerick. Giant Hogweed and why it is a problem, Environment Recreation And Climate Change, 2021, www.limerick.ie/council/services/environment/invasive-species/giant-hogweed-and-why-it-problem. Soilutions. Problems associated with Giant Hogweed, Soilutions, 2021, www.soilutions.co.uk/guides/the-problems-with-giant-hogweed/. U.S. Forest Service. Invasive Plants, USDA, 2021, www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/invasives/. “How to Control Giant Hogweed.” How To Control Giant Hogweed - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation, How To Control Giant Hogweed - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation “Giant Hogweed.” DNR - Giant Hogweed, DNR - Giant Hogweed Gucker, Corey L. 2009. “Heracleum mantegazzianum. In: Fire Effects Information System”, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/forb/herman/all.html [2021, November 23]. “Seasonal park workers.” DNR - Seasonal Park Workers, https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-350-79137_79764_81021-24520--,00.html O'Brien, Daniel, et al. "From Wildlife to Livestock — and Vice Versa." The Wildlife Society, the Wildlife Disease Association, wildlife.org/from-wildlife-to-livestock-and-vice-versa/. United States Department of Agriculture, and Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. "Usda Animal Care : Animal Welfare Act and Animal Welfare Regulations." , https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/wildlifedamage/operational-activities/feral-swine Newman, S, and L.P. Pottorff. "Powdery Mildews." Colorado State University Extension , Colorado State University, May 2013, wildlife.org/from-wildlife-to-livestock-and-vice-versa/. Tu, M., et al. TRICLOPYR. Invasive, 2001.https://www.invasive.org/gist/products/handbook/20.triclopyr.pdf “Goat Pastures Considerations.” Extension Foundation, https://goats.extension.org/goat-pastures-considerations/ “How to Control Giant Hogweed.” How To Control Giant Hogweed - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation, How To Control Giant Hogweed - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation “Giant Hogweed.” DNR - Giant Hogweed, DNR - Giant Hogweed “Giant Hogweed.” Giant Hogweed | Garden Organic, Giant hogweed | Garden Organic “Giant Hogweed: Biology, Impacts and Management.” Invasive Species Blog, 9 Oct. 2019, Giant Hogweed: Biology, Impacts and Management – Invasive Species Blog Zaveri, Mihir, and Christine Hauser. “Giant Hogweed: A Plant That Can Burn and Blind You. but Don't Panic.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 2 July 2018, Giant Hogweed: A Plant That Can Burn and Blind You. But Don’t Panic. (Published 2018)
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Sydney BrzezinskiSenior undergraduate student at Grand Valley State University studying Business Management, Hospitality & Tourism, and Meeting & Events Management. Through my enrollment in HTM 202 International Tourism, I have maintained this blog as a portion of my required class work from September to December 2021. - Sydney Brzezinski
Oxford & Allendale, MI |