Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-q99xh Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-26T18:47:41.016Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Economics of Cogongrass Control in Slash Pine Forests

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 April 2015

Janaki R.R. Alavalapati
Affiliation:
Resource Economics and Policy in the School of Forest Resources and Conservation at the University of Florida
Shibu Jose
Affiliation:
Forest Ecology in the School of Forest Resources and Conservation at the University of Florida
George A. Stainback
Affiliation:
Environmental Science, Center for Earth and Environmental Science, State University of New York, Plattsburgh
Jagannadha R. Matta
Affiliation:
School of Forest Resources and Conservation at the University of Florida
Douglas R. Carter
Affiliation:
Forest Economics and Management in the School of Forest and Resource Conservation at the University of Florida

Abstract

Cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica), an invasive weed, is a threat to slash pine forests. Using a dynamic optimization model, we estimated the impact of cogongrass on the profitability of slash pine forestry under four scenarios: no threat of cogongrass infestation; infestation is uncertain, and no control measures are taken; infestation is uncertain, but control measures are undertaken by one landowner but not the neighbors; and infestation is uncertain, and control measures are undertaken by everyone. Results indicate that annual net returns per acre under each scenario, respectively, are $25.30, $16.97, $13.89, and $17.38. Results suggest fostering a cooperative behavior among landowners is desirable.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Southern Agricultural Economics Association 2007

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Collins, A.R., Jose, S., Dansehgar, P., and Ramsey, C.. “Elton's Hypothesis Revisited: Imperata cylindrica Invasion in the Southeastern United States.” Biological Invasions, in press.Google Scholar
Daneshgar, P., Jose, S., Ramsey, C.L., and Collins, A.. “Loblolly Pine Seedling Response to Competition from Exotic vs. Native Plants.” Proceedings of the Thirteenth Biennial Southern Silvicultural Research Conference, Memphis, TN. USDA Forest Service General Technical Report SRS-92. Asheville, NC, 2006.Google Scholar
Dozier, H., Gaffney, J.F., McDonald, S.K., Johnson, E.R.R.L., and Shilling, D.G.. “Cogongrass in the United States: History, Ecology, Impacts, and Management.” Weed Technology 12(1998):737-43.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Eussen, J.H.H.Biological and Ecological Aspects of Alang-Alang (Imperata cylindrica (L.) Beauv.).” BIOTROP Special Bulletin 5(1980): 1522.Google Scholar
Faustmann, M.Calculation of the Value Which Forest Land and Immature Stands Possess for Forestry (Republication of Original Article—1849).” Journal of Forest Economics 1(1995):744.Google Scholar
Gaffney, J.F.Ecophysiological and Technological Factors Influencing the Management of Cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica).” Ph.D. dissertation. University of Florida: Gainesville, 1996.Google Scholar
Greenlee, J.The Encyclopedia of Ornamental Grasses: How to Grow and Use Over 250 Beautiful and Versatile Plants. Emmaus, PA: Rodale Press, 1992.Google Scholar
Hartman, R.The Harvesting Decision When a Standing Forest Has Value.” Economic Inquiry 14(1976):52-8.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Holm, L.G., Pucknett, D.L., Pancho, J.B., and Herberger, J.P.. The World's Worst Weeds: Distribution and Biology. Honolulu: University Press of Hawaii, 1977.Google Scholar
Hubbard, C.E., Brown, D., Gray, A.P., and Whyte, R.O.. “Imperata cylindrica: Taxonomy, Distribution, Economic Significance, and Control.” Imperial Agricultural Bureau Joint Publication 7(1944): 163.Google Scholar
Johnson, E.R.R.L., Gaffney, J.F., and Shilling, D.G.. “Revegetation as Part of an Integrated Management Approach for the Control of Cogongrass.” Proceedings of the Southern Weed Science Society (1997):50141.Google Scholar
Jose, S., Cox, J., Miller, D.L., Shilling, D.G., and Merritt, S.. “Alien Plant Invasions in Southeastern Forests: The Story of Cogongrass.” Journal of Forestry 100(2002):41-4.Google Scholar
King, S.E., and Grace, J.B.. “The Effects of Gap Size and Disturbance Type on Invasion of Wet Pine Savanna by Cogongrass, Imperata cylindrica (Poaceae).” American Journal of Botany 87(2000): 1279-86.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Klemperer, W.D.Forest Resource Economics and Finance. New York: McGraw Hill, 2003.Google Scholar
Lippincott, C.L.Ecological Consequences of Imperata cylindrica (Cogongrass) Invasion in Florida Sandhill.” Ph.D. dissertation. University of Florida: Gainesville, 1997.Google Scholar
Pienaar, L.V., and Rheney, J.W.. “Yield Prediction for Mechanically Site-Prepared Slash Pine Plantations in the Southeastern Coastal Plain.” Southern Journal of Applied Forestry 17(1993): 163-73.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ramsey, C.L., Jose, S., Cox, J., Miller, D.L., Shilling, D.G., Portier, K., and Merritt, S.. “Cogongrass [Imperata cylindrica (L.) Beauv.] Response to Herbicides and Disking on a Cutover Site and in a Mid-Rotation Pine Plantation in Southern USA.” Forest Ecology and Management 179(2003): 195207.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Shilling, D.G., Bewick, T.A., Gaffney, J.F., McDonald, S.K., Chase, C.A., and Johnson, E.R.R.L.. “Ecology, Physiology, and Management of Cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica).” Final Report. Florida Institute of Phosphate Research, 1997.Google Scholar
Stainback, G.A., and Alavalapati, J.R.R.. “Economic Analysis of Slash Pine Forest Carbon Sequestration in the Southern U.S.” Journal of Forest Economics 8(2002):105-17.Google Scholar
Timber Mart-South. The Norris Foundation. Athens: University of Georgia, 1998.Google Scholar
Willard, T.R., Gaffney, J.F., and Shilling, D.G.. “Influence of Herbicide Combinations and Application Technology on Cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica) Control.” Weed Technology 11(1997):7680.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Willard, T.R., Shilling, D.G., Gaffney, J.F., and Currey, W.L.. “Mechanical and Chemical Control of Cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica).” Weed Technology 10(1996):722-6.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Yin, R., Pienaar, L.V., and Aronow, M.E.. “The Productivity and Profitability of Fiber Farming.” Journal of Forestry 96(1998):13-8.Google Scholar