Presentation Type
Oral/Paper Presentation
Abstract
Abstract
People have been searching for new and innovative ways to control
invasive plant species for centuries. These methods have been categorized into three sections: mechanical,
biological, and chemical. The changing landscape of invasive plant management requires industry professionals to consider innovative technologies when developing their integrated pest management plans. The hypothesis of this research is that utilizing hot water treatment methods on shallow-rooted herbaceous invasive species in temperate deciduous forests will produce equal or better results than traditional integrated pest management methodologies. Six research plots in two locations were developed to test the Heatweed® hot water treatment tool on Microstegium vimineum and Vinca minor in the 3,000-acre Warner Parks located in Nashville, TN. Initial results show that Heatweeds® method provides stable, consistent results on the weeds with active temperature regulation, which secures highly accurate water temperature. The results we hoped for were 99% control of the target species and regrowth of native species while maintaining healthy soil, however, current results for the Vinca Minor hot water plot include 5% regrowth of targeted species along with native plant regrowth. The current results for Microstegium vimineum hot water plot include 99% control of targeted invasive species and native plant regrowth.
Keywords
Invasive Plant: A non-native organism whose introduction causes or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm to human, animal, or plant health (Executive Order 13751, 2016)
Faculty Mentor
Dr. John Lewis
john.lewis@lipscomb.edu
Recommended Citation
Manning, Ana, "Utilizing hot water treatment methods on shallow rooted herbaceous invasive species in temperate deciduous forests" (2025). Student Scholar Symposium. 49.
https://digitalcollections.lipscomb.edu/student_scholars_symposium/2025/Full_schedule/49
Utilizing hot water treatment methods on shallow rooted herbaceous invasive species in temperate deciduous forests
Abstract
People have been searching for new and innovative ways to control
invasive plant species for centuries. These methods have been categorized into three sections: mechanical,
biological, and chemical. The changing landscape of invasive plant management requires industry professionals to consider innovative technologies when developing their integrated pest management plans. The hypothesis of this research is that utilizing hot water treatment methods on shallow-rooted herbaceous invasive species in temperate deciduous forests will produce equal or better results than traditional integrated pest management methodologies. Six research plots in two locations were developed to test the Heatweed® hot water treatment tool on Microstegium vimineum and Vinca minor in the 3,000-acre Warner Parks located in Nashville, TN. Initial results show that Heatweeds® method provides stable, consistent results on the weeds with active temperature regulation, which secures highly accurate water temperature. The results we hoped for were 99% control of the target species and regrowth of native species while maintaining healthy soil, however, current results for the Vinca Minor hot water plot include 5% regrowth of targeted species along with native plant regrowth. The current results for Microstegium vimineum hot water plot include 99% control of targeted invasive species and native plant regrowth.
Keywords
Invasive Plant: A non-native organism whose introduction causes or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm to human, animal, or plant health (Executive Order 13751, 2016)