Skip to main content
ARS Home » Southeast Area » Fort Lauderdale, Florida » Invasive Plant Research Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #155352
Title: TAME MELALEUCA: AN AREA WIDE APPROACH FOR CONTROLLING MELALEUCA.

Author
item Pratt, Paul
item Center, Ted

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/15/2003
Publication Date: 10/1/2003
Citation: Pratt, P.D., Center, T.D. 2003. Tame melaleuca: an area wide approach for controlling melaleuca.. Meeting Abstract.

Interpretive Summary: Melaleuca quinquenervia is a myrtaceous tree of Australian origin that has become a noxious weed in Florida. The control of invasive plants, such as melaleuca, is essential to the conservation of native species. Melaleuca control is therefore integral to the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) objective of achieving restoration and sustainability of south Florida's natural ecosystem. The Melaleuca Management Plan, developed by the interagency Melaleuca Task Force in accordance with CERP, recommends the integration of multiple control approaches, with an emphasis on biological control, as the most effective method for long-term, sustainable management of melaleuca. We have developed The Areawide Management and Evaluation of Melaleuca (TAME) project to demonstrate the practical, integrated weed management strategies outlined in the Melaleuca Management Plan to state, federal, and private land managers. Specific objectives for this project include: 1) an operations phase to demonstrate the integrated strategies; 2) assessments of melaleuca's geographic distribution, impacts of control tactics and socio-economic factors associated with current and proposed control tactics; 3) supporting research that focuses on impacts of control tactics on the weed, interactions among biological control agents, and non-target effects of tactics; and 4) technology transfer. The goal of this project is to develop a sustainable and integrated melaleuca control program through partnerships with federal, state, local, and private land managers for the long-term control of this invasive weed.

Technical Abstract: Melaleuca quinquenervia is a myrtaceous tree of Australian origin that has become a noxious weed in Florida. The control of invasive plants, such as melaleuca, is essential to the conservation of native species. Melaleuca control is therefore integral to the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) objective of achieving restoration and sustainability of south Florida's natural ecosystem. The Melaleuca Management Plan, developed by the interagency Melaleuca Task Force in accordance with CERP, recommends the integration of multiple control approaches, with an emphasis on biological control, as the most effective method for long-term, sustainable management of melaleuca. We have developed The Area wide Management and Evaluation of Melaleuca (TAME) project to demonstrate the practical, integrated weed management strategies outlined in the Melaleuca Management Plan to state, federal, and private land managers. Specific objectives for this project include: 1) an operations phase to demonstrate the integrated strategies; 2) assessments of melaleuca's geographic distribution, impacts of control tactics and socio-economic factors associated with current and proposed control tactics; 3) supporting research that focuses on impacts of control tactics on the weed, interactions among biological control agents, and non-target effects of tactics; and 4) technology transfer. The goal of this project is to develop a sustainable and integrated melaleuca control program through partnerships with federal, state, local, and private land managers for the long-term control of this invasive weed.