Spread, impacts and first tests of containment of Senecio inaequidens DC. in a protected area of central Italy

A research in the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park has detected the presence of Senecio inaequidens, invasive alien species of South African origin, on over 400 hectares of meadows, pastures, roadsides and fallow up to 1,400 meters. Floristic monitoring showed compositional variation among plots with and without Senecio inaequidens. Interventions of manual uprooting were conducted on approximately 8 hectares. Herbicides Glyphosate and Triclopyr + Fluoroxipir (TF), both at 10% concentration, were tested on 70 individuals. Glyphosate was effective already after 15 days while TF has led to the death the plants only after 41 days.