Ecology and management of invasive Poa annua in the sub-Antarctic
Laura Williams

Authors

Laura Williams
The University of New England, Armidale, New South Wales

Paul Kristiansen
The University of New England, Armidale, New South Wales

Brian Sindel
The University of New England, Armidale, New South Wales

Justine Shaw
Australian Antarctic Division and The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland

Susan Wilson
The University of New England, Armidale, New South Wales

Abstract

Poa annua is a non-native grass found in Antarctica and the sub-Antarctic. It has a restricted distribution on Heard Island but is common and widespread on Macquarie Island, both World Heritage Areas. With the call for removal of non-native plants in Antarctica by the Committee for the Environmental Protection of the Antarctic, understanding the management of this highly invasive plant is important.

Our study aims to investigate the ecology and management techniques of Poa annua to broaden understanding of invasion biology and assist in development of non-native plant management in the sub-Antarctic and Antarctic. This study will help develop rapid response techniques for managing future non-native plant incursions. Although studies have shown Poa annua is a successful weed, this study will quantify its traits and growth in the sub-Antarctic.

In situ and ex situ experiments will include studying the response of Poa annua and native species to manual disturbance, quantifying pereniality in the population, assessing seed longevity and viability, quantifying the soil seed bank, determining herbicide movement and persistence in sub-Antarctic soils and assessing herbicide efficacy and selectivity on live Poa annua and functionally equivalent native species. This work aims to improve management of non-native species in the sub-Antarctic and Antarctic by investigating how invasive species perform, and the impact of management techniques on these unique environments.