Hello Ecologgers - I am planning to conduct an experiment in which I simulate several restoration strategies to control garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) populations. I am leaning toward establishing new populations in a meadow near my college's campus where I could more carefully control seed input, etc. between plots. (The meadow is currently mowed, but mowing would cease). I would erect a shading canopy with shade cloth over the plots to more closely mimic the light environment that garlic mustard tends to favor, and to also tamp down somewhat the meadow plants that would ordinarily dominate such full-sun conditions. My hypotheses have to do with comparing treatments that would all experience similar light levels, rather than comparisons between light levels.
My question: Does anyone have strong opinions about the artifacts of such a shade cloth canopy? My thought is that the downsides of using shade cloth are offset by the benefits of being able to create more of a "controlled laboratory" setup than would be possible in a forested environment. I would be able to control more variables (e.g. seed input, light levels) and therefore isolate the particular variables (namely, my treatments) I am most interested in. Obviously, though, if the artifacts of shade cloth are too great, then I would not be able to apply my findings to the forested sites where such questions would be meaningful. Thanks in advance for your thoughts. -Jeff -- ************************************ Jeffrey D. Corbin Associate Professor Department of Biological Sciences Union College Schenectady, NY 12308 (518) 388-6097 http://jeffcorbin.org ************************************
