Garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata), a shade-tolerant invasive alien plant from Europe, may threaten Nova Scotia's unique Acadian Forest type. In 2002, a roadside population of garlic mustard was reported in the community of Grand Pre, NS, the only known occurrence of this plant in the province. In six years, the population has subsequently spread along roadsides, infested the Grand Pre National Historic Site, crossed a major watershed divide and formed a new colony in Hantsport, 10 km east of the original infestation. This plant becomes established in disturbed areas, such as ditches, then spreads into undisturbed areas. The Nova Scotia Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal (NSTIR) has an important role in preventing further spread of this plant by adjusting right-of-way (ROW) maintenance practices in areas infested with garlic mustard. NSTIR, working cooperatively with numerous partners, is developing and implementing a set of best management practices (BMPs). NSTIR and its partners began implementing these BMPs in May 2008, and by following an adaptive management approach, expect eradication of garlic mustard from NS within 7-10 years. For the covering abstract of this conference see ITRD number E216597.
Abstract