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RE: glyphosate

Some plants exhibit invasive qualities because they outcompete natives - mostly because of lack of natural checks and balances that keep them from getting out of hand.  Not every exotic species becomes a problem but those that do cause significant problems and cost society considerably (in grief and $'s for ongoing control efforts).
And, the difficulty with all this is that it takes time for the exotics to 'cook' and exhibit problems or not exhibit problems.   By the time this happens, the plant (or animal - starlings, nutria, etc.) is usually too widespread to be completely eradicated.

Regarding kudzu, the owners of that farm were lucky to be rid of the plant.  Kudzu, where it proliferates, is so invasive and aggressive that it covers all other living things and smothers whole plant communities.  Kudzu is more of a problem in higher rainfall, longer growing season areas - in the southeastern U.S. in particular.    

I am originally from NW Arkansas and still have family there but have been in Missouri for the last 30 years.  In Missouri, our few small and disjunct populations of kudzu have not been much of a problem.  But, some populations nearer the Arkansas line show signs of exploding and concern is growing.  Perhaps this is a function of changing weather patterns associated with global warming but, whatever the reason, the kudzu shows signs of wanting to take off.

Removal of the kudzu from that erosive hillside you mention does sound like it was problematic.  But, that sounds like a symptom of the 'ailing ecosystem' that was mentioned in another post.  Land can be so hammered by abuse that it takes time, lots of it, for nature to heal things.  The key is to not let land get in that shape in the first place.

Thanks for the dialog.

Bill

>>> glwheel@prodigy.net 04/05/01 10:03PM >>>
I personally don't know if Round Up will control the listed plants, but I
personally think that Kudzu is a plant that is to be enjoyed rather than
poisoned.  Some people even claim that it is good to eat.  It looks too
fuzzy to eat.  When I was much younger, I lived near some people that had a
pasture on some very steep ground.  It was covered with kudzu.  This seemed
to bother them.  They attacked it with fire and to a lesser degree with a
tractor.  The hill was so steep that they could only attack the edges of the
kudzu with the tractor.  They could run cows on the area.  Sometime around
1960, they discovered chemical herbicides.  The last time I saw the area was
in the early 1970's the owners had managed to kill the kudzu.  They had
nothing growing on the area, and gullies were developing over the entire
pasture.  There was nothing for cow left on the site.

I don't understand the the message that seems to be about "sick ecosystems
or sick soil."  I am a plant ecologist, but I don't recall hearing how
invasive plants are attracted to sick ecosystems or soil.  I would be
interested in hearing more about the other materials in Roundup and
lymphoma.  I thought that 2,4-D was associated with lymphoma.
Laurin Wheeler
1635 W. Shadowridge Dr.
Fayetteville, AR 72701

  -----Original Message-----
  From: owner-prairie@mallorn.com [o*@mallorn.com]On 
Behalf Of Ed and Gale
  Sent: Thursday, April 05, 2001 5:15 PM
  To: prairie group
  Subject: glyphosate


  We belong to an environmental group and are currently in the middle of a
  rather heated debate about invasive exotic plants in natural areas on
public
  land and the use of glyphosate to control them. Some folks are opposed to
  the use of any chemical in any way and others see the treat of exotics as
so
  great that they are willing to use Round Up selectively.

  I was wondering if anyone on this group can help with any expertise or
info.
  What are the long term effects of glyphosate on plants and soil? Are there
  any health risks to humans and animals? What are your thoughts on using
  Round Up to control garlic mustard, kudzu, and other invasives if it's
used
  selectively and applied by hand?

  Thank you for your imput.
  Gale Cook
  Southern Illinois

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