Controlling Mikania micrantha HBK: How effective manual cutting is?

Abstract

Mikania micrantha, a neo-tropical vine, is spreading rapidly in the tropical part of Nepal and is now threatening the rural ecosystem including biodiversity and rural livelihoods. However, no attempt has been made to control the spread of M. micrantha. As a result, the vines are spreading freely and rapidly. After a thorough literature review and assessment of forest management practices, we proposed a manual cutting method, as it suits the Nepalese situation for several reasons: required labor is readily available, as local communities are managing forest patches, and the method does not have any potential adverse effects on non-target native species. Experimental plots were laid out in August 2011 to examine the effectiveness of manual cutting. Two different site types based on canopy coverage were selected and divided into three blocks based on cutting strategy. Four treatments were assigned across the experimental plots following a complete block design. We harvested above-ground biomass according to the assigned treatment. The results suggested that there should be at least two consecutive cuttings within a 3-week interval before flowering, and that three consecutive cuttings resulted in 91% mortality of the vines. In addition, cutting promoted regeneration of native plant species. Employing regular cutting operations can modify understory shade enhancing regeneration of native species, which is a desirable condition to constrain proliferation of M. micrantha. Periodic cuttings reduced the competitiveness of M. micrantha regardless of canopy openness, but native ground cover should be retained.

Assessment of the perceived effects and management challenges of Mikania micrantha invasion in Chitwan National Park buffer zone community forest, Nepal

“…The effect of colonization of Mikania micrantha on the native plant species in Buffer zone of CNP of Nepal are well registered (Rai et al, 2012a; Sapkota 2007). …”

“…However, in many cases, the effects of invasive species on livelihoods are contentious (Rai et al, 2012a, b). The plant species studied to examine the livelihood effects of invasive species is Mikania micrantha.…”

Distribution, effect and utilization of Mikania micrantha on livelihood: Case study of Janakauli buffer zone community forest of Chitwan National Park

“…Mikania micrantha commonly known as Mile-a-minute is overspreading forest patches and grassland in buffer zone of CNP (Poudel et al, 2005;Sapkota, 2007). The effect of colonization of Mikania micrantha on the native plant species in Buffer zone of CNP of Nepal are well registered (Rai et al, 2012a;Sapkota, 2007).…”

“…The majority of respondents also indicated that Mikania had significantly decreased the provision of fuel wood and fodders (55.93%), while 22.88% of the respondents showed that there was no significant effect of the invasive species to the native forest resources (Table 2c). The abundance of invasive plants usually reduces the availability of native plants, which can influence the delivery and quality of forest products, and ultimately affect the livelihood strategy of rural farmers, as forest products are the major farm household production input (Rai et al, 2012a). This is because plant species richness and ecosystem services are intricately linked, and a change in the state of one of these variables can be expected to have an impact on the other (Costanza et al, 2007).…”

Assessing the Temporal Variation in the Perceived Eects of Invasive Plant Species on Rural Livelihoods: A Case of Mikania micrantha Invasion in Nepal

“…In Nepal, Mikania was first reported in 1963 from the eastern region and has continuously been spreading westwards (Tiwari et al 2005). Figure 1 shows the distribution of Mikania in Nepal (Rai et al 2012a). This is one of the most problematic terrestrial invasive species in tropical parts of Nepal (Poudel et al 2005).…”