The Role of Fire in Integrated Management of Boneseed (Chrysanthemoides monilifera subsp. monilifera)

Abstract

Boneseed, Chrysanthemoides monilifera subsp. monilifera (DC.) T.Norl. (Asteraceae) is a South African shrub that is invasive in Australian temperate ecosystems. Fire can be a useful boneseed management tool, as it can kill existing plants and deplete the soil seed bank. When used as part of an integrated approach (e.g. fire followed by herbicide treatment and/or hand-pulling of surviving plants), it is possible to eliminate boneseed, especially where the seed bank is less than 1000 seeds per m2 (i.e., lightly-invaded, intact ecosystems). However, where seed banks are larger (i.e., heavily-infested, degraded ecosystems) this integrated approach may only lead to a reduction of boneseed population, albeit up to 99%, 30 months after the fire.