ECOLOGY and CONTROL of RHODODENDRON (Rhododendron Ponticum L.) in TURKISH EASTERN BEECH (Fagus Orientalis Lipsky) FORESTS Derya
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ECOLOGY AND CONTROL OF RHODODENDRON (Rhododendron ponticum L.) IN TURKISH EASTERN BEECH (Fagus orientalis Lipsky) FORESTS 'HU\D(úHQ Dissertation submitted to the Faculty of the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of 'RFWRURI3KÕORVRSK\ in Forestry Shepard M. Zedaker, Chair Jeffrey L. Kirwan Robert H. Jones Paul P. Mou David Wm. Smith June 28, 2000 Blacksburg, Virginia, USA Keywords: anthropogenic, cost, disturbance, ecology of rhododendron and beech, efficacy, fire, herbicides, soil, surfactant, topography, tree growth, woody weed control, herbicide uptake and translocation Copyright 2000, Derya Esen ECOLOGY AND CONTROL OF RHODODENDRON (Rhododendron ponticum L.) IN TURKISH EASTERN BEECH (Fagus orientalis Lipsky) FORESTS by 'HU\D(úHQ ABSTRACT Purple-flowered rhododendron (Rhododendron ponticum L.) and yellow-flowered rhododendron (R. flavum Don.) are two dominant shrub species of the eastern beech (Fagus orientalis L.) understories in the eastern and western Black Sea Region (BSR), respectively. These invasive woody species significantly reduce beech growth and can preclude tree regeneration. The ecological consequence is an aging beech overstory with little or no regeneration to replace the mature trees. Great rhododendron (R. maximum L.) has been increasing in the forests of the Southern Appalachians of the United States, reducing tree regeneration and growth. The BSR and Southern Appalachians bear noteworthy similarities in climate, topography, and the forest flora. Purple-flowered and great rhododendrons also show important similarities in their ecology and the forest vegetation problems they can cause. Current rhododendron-dominated and threatened BSR forests may provide an advanced ecological picture of the forests of the Southern Appalachians in which great rhododendron now thrives. Therefore, new information gained on the ecology and effective and cost-efficient control of purple-flowered rhododendron may significantly improve forest management practices, not only for the current rhododendron-invaded BSR ecosystem, but also for other parts of the world. This dissertation consists of five separate yet related chapters. The first gives relevant literature reviewed for the dissertation. The second chapter focuses on various environmental and disturbance factors that may have shaped the current purple-flowered rhododendron-dominated beech forests of the BSR of Turkey. Chapter 3 assesses the effects of various manual and herbicidal woody control techniques on purple-flowered and yellow- flowered rhododendron in two field experiments in the BSR. The fourth chapter relates a study of uptake and translocation behavior of triclopyr ester and imazapyr in great rhododendron. This information is used to determine the optimum herbicide-surfactant combinations for the greatest active ingredient uptake and root translocation in great ii rhododendron. The last chapter is a synthesis of the information gained in all of these different experiments. iii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The first acknowledgment goes to my role model, a great forester, my father Ömer (úHQ+HZDVWUXO\P\LQVSLUDWLRQLQSXUVXLQJP\GHJUHHLQIRUHVWU\DVLQHYHU\WKLQJHOVH, can only hope that I lived up to the great fame and expectation that he has left behind. My DXQWDQGXQFOH *OEQDQG$VÕP(úHQ KDYHEHHQDVHFRQGIDPLO\WRPHGXULQJWKH\HDUV, have spent in the United States. I have learned a great deal from both of them. My uncle has always pushed me to be better in my career. I sincerely appreciate all the support that they KDYHJLYHQPH,FDQQRWIRUJHWWKHIULHQGVKLSRIP\FRXVLQV6(YUHQDQG)LOL]1(úHQ They have made my time in the U.S. unforgettable. I am more than grateful to Dr. Shepard M. Zedaker for his great guidance and support during my six years at Virginia Tech as supervisor, teacher, and friend. I have learned a great deal from him in many aspects. In addition, I owe great appreciation to my committee members Dr. Jeffrey L. Kirwan, Dr. Robert H. Jones, Dr. Paul P. Mou, and Dr. David Wm. Smith for their valuable guidance and contributions for my work. I express my gratitude to Düzce University Forestry Faculty, the Turkish Forest Service, and Cynamid in Turkey, and Virginia Polytechic Institute and State University, American Cyanamid, and Dow AgroSciences in the United States for their support in funding WKLVSURMHFW6SHFLDOWKDQNVDUHDOVRGXHWR0U+DVDQ%DVUL&DQOÕ *HQHUDO'LUHFWRURIWKH Turkish Forest Service), Burhanettin Seçkin (former head silviculturalist of the Turkish )RUHVW6HUYLFH 0U2VPDQ(UHQR÷OX IRUPHUGLUHFWRURIWKH=RQJXOGDN5HJLRQDO)RUHVWU\ 'LUHFWRU\ DQG&HQJL]dHWLQWDú KHDGRIWKH6LOYLFXOWXUH'HSDUWPHQWRIWKH=RQJXOGDN Regional Forestry Directorate) for their help and support during my field work in the BSR. Many forest chiefs and rangers who have helped me conduct this research in the BSR are also appreciated. Mrs. Kathryn Hollandsworth is also thanked for her great help on the preparation of this dissertation. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ACKNOWLEDGMENTS......................................................................................................iv LIST OF TABLES................................................................................................................viii LIST OF FIGURES.................................................................................................................x CHAPTER 1: LITERATURE REVIEW .............................................................................1 Ecology of Eastern Beech.................................................................................................1 Distribution..............................................................................................................1 Climate of the Black Sea Region.............................................................................3 Topography throughout Eastern Beech's Distribution ............................................4 Elevational Distribution of Eastern Beech ..............................................................5 Soil Requirements of Eastern Beech .......................................................................6 Shade Tolerance ......................................................................................................7 Sexual Reproduction ...............................................................................................9 Vegetative Reproduction .......................................................................................10 Regeneration Techniques Used for Beech.............................................................14 Ecology of Rhododendron..............................................................................................15 Taxonomical Nomenclature ..................................................................................15 Distribution of Purple- and Yellow-Flowered Rhododendron..............................15 Origin of Rhododendron in Turkey.......................................................................16 Aspect ....................................................................................................................16 Light and Shade Tolerance....................................................................................17 Flowering, Seeding, and Generative Reproduction...............................................19 Root System of Rhododendron .............................................................................20 Vegetation Reproduction.......................................................................................21 Allelopathy ............................................................................................................21 Disturbance: The Essence of Change in Forests ...........................................................22 Development of Beech Forests under Anthropogenic Pressure ............................23 Effects of Fire on Beech Growth and Distribution................................................27 The Rising Population of Rhododendron in Conjunction with Anthropogenic Disturbances and Fires .................................................................................30 v Page Feasibility of Information Transfer between Different Regions of Rhododendron ..............................................................................................33 Manual Rhododendron Control......................................................................................33 Chemical Rhododendron Control...................................................................................35 History of Chemical Control in Turkey.................................................................35 Foliar Chemical Rhododendron Control ...............................................................36 Cut-Stump Treatment ............................................................................................38 The Leaf Cuticle....................................................................................................38 Surfactants .............................................................................................................40 CHAPTER 2: SOIL AND SITE FACTORS INFLUENCING PURPLE-FLOWERED RHODODENDRON AND EASTERN BEECH FORESTS IN TURKEY .............45 Abstract...........................................................................................................................45 Introduction ....................................................................................................................46 Methodology...................................................................................................................49