Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
(a)
(b)
Fig. 9.5
Many perennial plants have below-ground reproductive structures such
as these rhizomes of
Arundo donax
(a) that store carbohydrates over the winter.
These resprout every year, even from very small pieces (b) making them diffi cult
to control. Photos: Joseph Decruyenaere.
that are relatively prostrate. h erefore, this method of mechanical control is not
feasible in many situations.
In some wildland situations, chaining is performed to remove unwanted woody
vegetation. h is practice uses a heavy chain that is dragged between two tractors
and in some cases a metal blade is welded across each link of the chain (Radosevich
et al
. 2007). As the chain is dragged between the tractors, shrub stems are crushed
and some plants are uprooted. h is procedure is used to prepare shrublands or
chaparral for rangeland improvement. A similar practice is used to remove sub-
merged and immersed aquatic weeds from canals and rivers. Chaining is very
destructive to all plants in its path so is only appropriate for use where an entire site
requires renovation or restoration.
