Data for Hogan et al. 2024: "Basal bark herbicide treatment of Lonicera maackii (Amur honeysuckle) is effective regardless of application timing, with limited nontarget effects on native plant diversity"

<p>Data to accompany the following publication, currently in press:</p> <p>Hogan, K.F.E., K.Baker, E.M. Bach, N.A. Barber. Basal bark herbicide treatment&nbsp;of Lonicera maackii (Amur honeysuckle) is e ective regardless of application&nbsp;timing, with limited nontarget e ects on native plant diversity. In press,&nbsp;Ecological Solutions and Evidence</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Paper abstract:&nbsp;</p> <p><span>Managers tasked with controlling invasive species require effective methods that are quick and easy to use without inflicting extensive nontarget damage, while also being compatible with other scheduled management responsibilities.&nbsp;<em>Lonicera maackii</em> (Amur honeysuckle) is a non-native shrub that has invaded eastern and midwestern North American deciduous forests, altering ecosystem function and reducing biodiversity. </span><span>This study explores prescribed fire and seasonal basal applications of triclopyr ester as control methods and examines the extent of nontarget damage. We used paired-split plots to implement basal bark treatments in different seasons within burned and unburned units, and we tracked individual<em> L. maackii</em> to determine mortality and hyperlocal impacts of management.&nbsp;</span><span>Basal bark treatments killed 98.4% of&nbsp;<em>L. maackii</em> across seasonal timings. Nontarget plant cover immediately declined similarly for all herbicide application seasons, but the early- and late-spring treatments showing signs of recovery within four years. Meanwhile, species richness showed biologically small but statistically different declines across all treatment times. Prescribed fire did not impact <em>L. maackii </em>mortality or interact with herbicide efficacy. </span><span>Basal bark applications of triclopyr are an effective means of&nbsp;<em>L. maackii</em> control regardless of application timing, which allows managers to implement it at their convenience to avoid interfering with other management tasks that have time constraints.</span></p>