Assessing the efficacy and impact of management of an invasive species in a protected area: Poa annua on sub‐Antarctic Macquarie Island

Management of invasive species in remote, protected areas poses significant challenges due to the difficulty of eradication and potential off-target impacts. This study assessed the efficacy and impact of both physical and chemical control methods on Poa annua, an invasive grass species, at sub-Antarctic Macquarie Island. While none of the four physical disturbance methods tested effectively reduced P. annua cover as one-off treatments, herbicides such as glyphosate and trifloxysulfuron sodium proved effective with minimal damage to native grasses, indicating potential selectivity. The research highlights that an integrated weed management program, combining strategic herbicide use with follow-up chemical and physical interventions, could balance control outcomes and biodiversity preservation. This study underscores the importance of site-specific testing of control methods and understanding their off-target impacts in managing alien plant species in protected areas.

Williams, L. K., Sindel, B. M., Kristiansen, P., Wilson, S. C., & Shaw, J. D. (2019). Assessing the efficacy and impact of management of an invasive species in a protected area: Poa annua on sub‐Antarctic Macquarie Island. Weed Research, 59(3), 180–190. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/wre.12355