Title: Weed Biology - Understanding Weeds

Ecological approaches to weed management need to incorporate an understanding of weeds. In order to live and deal with weeds more productively, effectively and harmoniously, we need to begin an exchange of ideas with weeds. An information exchange with weeds will give us an understanding of their biology, ecology and what they are doing where they are found. For instance weeds can be an indicator species telling us about soil conditions.

If it weren’t for weeds, the world would have lost more topsoil than it has to date, and humankind might have suffered mass starvation by now. The plants we call weeds do a vital job in ecosystems: they quickly establish in, protect, and restore soil that has been left exposed by natural and human-caused disturbances.

If we aim to gain an understanding of the function weeds are preforming than we can work towards accommodating these ecological needs. The theory of ecological resistance is based on the idea that a healthy and balanced ecosystem does not readily allow or foster invasive species. Thus for example a diversification by weeds in mono-cultures is a natural reaction against 'invasives'. Mono-cultures are read by nature as invasion in need of balance and diversification. The natural characteristics of weeds, such as fast and competitive growth make them ideal for rapid diversification of landscape.

Minimisation and prevention of weed infestation ought to be the first method of working bio-holistically with weeds and remediation as a necessity due to an environmental imbalance.

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Article: CulturalWeedControl51 (permalink)
Date: 8 January 2013; 1:12:01 PM AEDT

Author Name: Zheljana Peric
Author ID: zper12