Present distribution
| Map showing the present distribution of this weed. | ||||
Habitat: In its native range in Euro-Siberia it is dominant on tall sedge grasslands, depressions and floodplains (Kukkonen, Toivonen 1988), also grows on alluvial meadows (Kabucis, Rusina, Veen 2003), semi-natural grasslands, mires, shores (Luoto, Pykälä, Kuussaari 2003). It has been introduced to North America (Kukkonen, Toivonen 1988) specifically in a wet field in Collingwood, Great Lakes, Ontario where it is dominant (Catling, Reznicek, Brookes 1988). It is also “uncommon in Victoria, recorded in recent times only from boggy flats near Lake Condah” (Walsh, Entwisle 1994). |
Map Overlays Used Land Use: Broadacre cropping; pasture irrigation; water Ecological Vegetation Divisions Coastal; swampy scrub; treed swampy wetland; lowland forest; damp forest; riparian; basalt grassland; alluvial plains grassland; riverine woodland/forest; freshwater wetland (ephemeral) Colours indicate possibility of Carex disticha infesting these areas. In the non-coloured areas the plant is unlikely to establish as the climate, soil or landuse is not presently suitable. |
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QUESTION | COMMENTS | RATING | CONFIDENCE |
Social | |||
1. Restrict human access? | Stems 20 – 100 cm (Jermy, Tutin 1968) and forms monodominant stands (Kabucis, Rusina, Veen 2003) – low nuisance value. Impedes individual access to waterways | ml | mh |
2. Reduce tourism? | “where groundwater regimes remained intact but management was neglected… communities were trans-formed to wet tall-herb fens… also a substantial loss of low-growing associates at Market Wilson” (incl. C. disticha) (Fojt, Harding 1995) – this change in height of vegetation may cause minor effects in aesthetics | ml | m |
3. Injurious to people? | Sharply trigonous (Jermy, Tutin 1968); may cause minor cuts – may cause some physiological issues | ml | mh |
4. Damage to cultural sites? | Stems 20 – 100 cm (Jermy, Tutin 1968) and forms monodominant stands (Kabucis, Rusina, Veen 2003) – may have a moderate visual effect | ml | m |
Abiotic | |||
5. Impact flow? | Although it occurs in fens (Fojt, Harding 1995), mires, ditches and shores (Luoto, Pykälä, Kuussaari 2003) it does not occur in flowing water – little or negligible affect on water flow | l | mh |
6. Impact water quality? | Dominant species on tall sedge dominated grasslands on depressions and floodplains (Kabucis, Rusina, Veen 2003), water meadows (Monocotyledons), Species of semi-natural grasslands, mires, ditches, shores (Luoto, Pykälä, Kuussaari 2003) Mesotrophic fens and wet grasslands (Guswell 2005), and forms monodominant stands (Kabucis, Rusina, Veen 2003). It also grows in a fen that has an inflow from the polluted river Vecht (Symoens 1988) – likely to effect light levels, also thrives in polluted waters. | ml | m |
7. Increase soil erosion? | Successful coloniser species of wet grassland (Rosenthal 2006). Forms a closed vegetation with other sedge species in Sweden (D’Hertefeldt, Falkengren-Gerup 2002). Monodominant stands (Kabucis, Rusina, Veen 2003) – not likely to leave bare soil, hence there is a low probability of large scale soil movement and a possibility it may decrease the probability of soil erosion | l | mh |
8. Reduce biomass? | Dominant species on tall sedge dominated grasslands on depressions and floodplains (Kabucis, Rusina, Veen 2003), water meadows (Monocotyledons), Species of semi-natural grasslands, mires, ditches, shores (Luoto, Pykälä, Kuussaari 2003) – direct replacement of biomass by invader | ml | mh |
9. Change fire regime? | Displaces low-growing associates (Fojt, Harding 1995) and it contributes to 100% litter accumulation in grassland depressions in Sweden (Regnell 1980) therefore may increase fuel, however it occurs in wet habitats (Kabucis, Rusina, Veen 2003, Luoto, Pykälä, Kuussaari 2003, Guswell 2005) – minor change to intensity of fire risk | ml | m |
Community Habitat | |||
10. Impact on composition (a) high value EVC | EVC = Creekline Grassy Woodland (E); CMA = Goulburn Broken; Bioregion = Victorian Riverina; VH CLIMATE potential. Monoculture within a specific layer | h | h |
(b) medium value EVC | EVC = Riverine Grassy Woodland (D); CMA = North East; Bioregion = Victorian Riverina; VH CLIMATE potential. Monoculture within a specific layer | h | h |
(c) low value EVC | EVC = Estuarine Wetland (LC); CMA = West Gippsland; Bioregion = Gippsland Plain; VH CLIMATE potential. Monoculture within a specific layer | h | h |
11. Impact on structure? | Successful coloniser species of wet grassland (Rosenthal 2006). Forms a closed vegetation with other sedge species in Sweden (D’Hertefeldt, Falkengren-Gerup 2002). Monodominant stands (Kabucis, Rusina, Veen 2003) – forms monoculture | h | h |
12. Effect on threatened flora? | Successful coloniser species of wet grassland (Rosenthal 2006). Monodominant stands (Kabucis, Rusina, Veen 2003). It is likely to effect threatened flora – however this is not yet determined | mh | l |
Fauna | |||
13. Effect on threatened fauna? | Successful coloniser species of wet grassland (Rosenthal 2006). Monodominant stands (Kabucis, Rusina, Veen 2003). It is likely to effect habitat and food sources of threatened fauna – however this is not yet determined | mh | l |
14. Effect on non-threatened fauna? | Successful coloniser species of wet grassland (Rosenthal 2006) and forms monodominant stands (Kabucis, Rusina, Veen 2003). Displaces low-growing associates (Fojt, Harding 1995) and it contributes to 100% litter accumulation in grassland depressions in Sweden (Regnell 1980) – habitat changed dramatically, leading to the possible extinction of non-threatened fauna | h | m |
15. Benefits fauna? | It is palatable for livestock (Hoffman, Cosyns, Lamoot 2005, Catling, Reznicek, Brookes 1988) and so may provide some assistance in food to herbivorous native fauna | mh | m |
16. Injurious to fauna? | Sharply trigonous (Jermy, Tutin 1968); may cause minor cuts – may cause fauna to lose condition | ml | m |
Pest Animal | |||
17. Food source to pests? | Frequently bitten by Shetland Ponies in Belgium coastal dunes (Hoffman, Cosyns, Lamoot 2005) and “it is reported to be one of the most important forage plants in western Siberia” (Catling, Reznicek, Brookes 1988) –food source for wild horses | ml | mh |
18. Provides harbor? | Stems 20 – 100 cm (Jermy, Tutin 1968) and forms monodominant stands (Kabucis, Rusina, Veen 2003). Cover is one of the most important habitat feature for both foxes (Saunders et al 1995) and rabbits (Williams et al 1995), indicating that a stand of C.disticha would provide ideal harbour for rabbits and foxes – capacity to provide harbour and permanent warrens for foxes and rabbits throughout the year | h | mh |
Agriculture | |||
19. Impact yield? | Grows in productive pastures (D’Hertefeldt, Falkengren-Gerup 2002) “In the USSR it is an important component of pastures and early hay. It is reported to be one of the most important forage plants in western Siberia” (Catling, Reznicek, Brookes 1988). Occurred in a wet fen where it had not previously existed only when management had ceased (Fojt, Harding 1995) Dominates ungrazed areas, although it exists in grazed areas to a lesser extent (Regnell 1980) – although it grows in pastures, it does not appear to dominate managed land, and is palatable – little or negligible affect on quantity of yield | l | mh |
20. Impact quality? | Grows in productive pastures (D’Hertefeldt, Falkengren-Gerup 2002) “In the USSR it is an important component of pastures and early hay. It is reported to be one of the most important forage plants in western Siberia” (Catling, Reznicek, Brookes 1988). Occurred in a wet fen where it had not previously existed only when management had ceased (Fojt, Harding 1995) Dominates ungrazed areas, although it exists in grazed areas to a lesser extent (Regnell 1980) – although it grows in pastures, it does not appear to dominate managed land, and is palatable – little or negligible affect on quality | l | mh |
21. Affect land value? | Grows in productive pastures (D’Hertefeldt, Falkengren-Gerup 2002) Occurred in a wet fen where it had not previously existed only when management had ceased (Fojt, Harding 1995) Dominates ungrazed areas, although it exists in grazed areas to a lesser extent (Regnell 1980) – although it grows in pastures, it does not appear to dominate managed land – little or no affect on land value | l | mh |
22. Change land use? | Grows in productive pastures (D’Hertefeldt, Falkengren-Gerup 2002) Occurred in a wet fen where it had not previously existed only when management had ceased (Fojt, Harding 1995) Dominates ungrazed areas, although it exists in grazed areas to a lesser extent (Regnell 1980) – although it grows in pastures, it does not appear to dominate managed land – little or no change | l | mh |
23. Increase harvest costs? | Grows in productive pastures (D’Hertefeldt, Falkengren-Gerup 2002) Occurred in a wet fen where it had not previously existed only when management had ceased (Fojt, Harding 1995) Dominates ungrazed areas, although it exists in grazed areas to a lesser extent (Regnell 1980) – although it grows in pastures, it does not appear to dominate managed land – little or no increase in harvest cost | l | mh |
24. Disease host/vector? | No cases of this were covered in the literature. | m | l |
QUESTION | COMMENTS | RATING | CONFIDENCE |
Establishment | |||
1. Germination requirements? | Germinates best after a process of light stratification (Shutz 2000) – requires natural seasonal disturbance | mh | h |
2. Establishment requirements? | Open habitat, wet soil moisture (Schutz 2000). Dominant species on tall sedge dominated grasslands on depressions and floodplains (Kabucis, Rusina, Veen 2003), water meadows (Monocotyledons), low survival in a dry, low-nutrient treatment (D’Hertefeldt, Falkengren-Gerup 2002) – requires more specific requirements to establish (open space) | ml | h |
3. How much disturbance is required? | Species of semi-natural grasslands, mires, ditches, shores. Rare in Finland (Luoto, Pykälä, Kuussaari 2003) Increase in C. disticha adjacent to agricultural grasslands after the cessation of fertilizer applications (Kleijn et al 2004). Species of P-rich disturbed sites (Guswell 2005) – minor disturbed natural ecosystems (wetlands, grasslands) | mh | h |
Growth/Competitive | |||
4. Life form? | Occurs in fens (Fojt, Harding 1995), mires, ditches and shores (Luoto, Pykälä, Kuussaari 2003) – semi aquatic (some part of plant always in water) | h | h |
5. Allelopathic properties? | None mentioned in the literature- unknown | m | l |
6. Tolerates herb pressure? | Frequently bitten by Shetland Ponies in Belgium coastal dunes (Hoffman, Cosyns, Lamoot 2005). “ungrazed plots were dominated by C. disticha” (Regnell 1980). “In the USSR it is an important component of pastures and early hay. It is reported to be one of the most important forage plants in western Siberia” (Catling, Reznicek, Brookes 1988) – reproduction strongly inhibited by herbivory but still capable of vegetative propagule production; weed may still persist | ml | h |
7. Normal growth rate? | Displaces low-growing associates (Fojt, Harding 1995). Successful coloniser species of wet grassland (Rosenthal 2006) and forms monodominant stands (Kabucis, Rusina, Veen 2003) – rapid growth rate that will exceed most other species of the same life form | h | mh |
8. Stress tolerance to frost, drought, w/logg, sal. etc? | Salt tolerant (Tyler 1971) – tolerant to salinity “indicator of excessively wet weakly salinized soils” (Zvereva 1990) – tolerant to waterlogging Grows in an area where frost occurs in Belgium (Gerard et al 2008) – frost tolerant Occurred in a wet fen where it had not previously existed only when management (which included burning) had ceased (Fojt, Harding 1995), suggesting C. disticha is not tolerant of fire Low survival in a dry, low-nutrient treatment (D’Hertefeldt, Falkengren-Gerup 2002) – intolerant to drought | mh | mh |
Reproduction | |||
9. Reproductive system | Vegetative and sexual (Skytte Christiansen 1979) | h | mh |
10. Number of propagules produced? | 219 seeds per ramet (Kleyer, Pschlod 2004) – 50-1000 | ml | mh |
11. Propagule longevity? | Unknown | m | l |
12. Reproductive period? | Ramets live 4 years or longer (D’Hertefeldt, Falkengren-Gerup 2002) – mature plant produces viable propagules for 3-10 years | mh | h |
13. Time to reproductive maturity? | Unknown | m | l |
Dispersal | |||
14. Number of mechanisms? | Transport Mechanism in Great Lakes, Ontario, by Solid Ballast Water (OGL 2000), Water dispersed (Gerard et al 2008) | mh | h |
15. How far do they disperse? | Transport Mechanism in Great Lakes, Ontario, by Solid Ballast Water (OGL 2000), Water dispersed (Gerard et al 2008) – likely to disperse greater than 1km | h | h |