Fire, soil, native species, and control of Phalaris arundinacea in a wetland recovery project

Southern Appalachian Phalaris arundinacea control was investigated by: (1) correlating cover and species richness with soil characteristics across transects; (2) burning and herbicide use to determine conditions facilitating native plant establishment; and (3) hemi-parasitic Pedicularis lanceolata tested as a biological control.; Phalaris cover was correlated with subsoil consolidation; areas without Phalaris had consolidated subsoil while Phalaris at >50% cover established on loose soil. Phalaris cover inhibited species richness (r2 = 0.78). No soil characteristic predicted species richness.; Herbicide reduced Phalaris cover and aerial biomass by 23% and 63% respectively, compared to controls. Burning was ineffective. Two summers after herbicide Phalaris subterranean biomass remained 32% less than control biomass. Monocot transplants established readily following herbicide but dicot transplants were less likely to survive.; Pedicularis parasitized Phalaris. Pedicularis' effect on a mixed species total (r2 = 0.735) was non-linear; implying greater effect on large plants. Non-parasitic native plant species competition reduced biomass of Phalaris by 40%.