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Abstract

Onokpise, O.U., S.K. Bambo, J.J. Muchovej, J.Grabowski and M.J. Williams. 2009. Cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica L.) rhizome production when grown with amenity grass species. JEMREST 6:00-00

10.4029/2009jemrest6no110

The performance of rhizomes of cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica L.) and maidencane (Panicum hemitomon Schult.) grown in combination with other native grass species of the US Gulf Coast States was evaluated. Cogongrass, switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L), maidencane, and muhlygrass (Muhlenbergia capillaries (Lam) Trin.) were raised in tubetts and then transplanted to 7.6 L pots in different combinations with cogongrass. Data on rhizomes of cogongrass and maidencane were recorded at 6, 12, 18 and 24 weeks after transplanting. At 12 weeks, the mean number of cogongrass rhizomes had 54-71% reduction when compared with cogongrass grown alone. There were 51-74% and 47-74% reduction in the mean total length of cogongrass rhizomes grown in combination than those grown uncombined at 12 and 18 weeks, respectively. The mean number and mean total length of maidencane rhizomes were reduced by 51-65% and 20-75% at 18 weeks, respectively, when grown in combination with others grasses. The reduction of cogongrass grown in combination with other grass species shows a prospect that native grass species could reduce the invasiveness of cogongrass.

Much research and discussion has dealt with the issues of conserving endangered species while simultaneously benefiting communities located near the endangered species habitats. Advocates claim that tourism implemented in a responsible, sustainable manner can benefit both wildlife and communities. Considerable literature, however, argues against these benefits and suggests tourism to be more harmful than beneficial. The use of tourism as both a tool in development and conservation has been considered and reviewed numerous times, but is often concluded to be of little benefit or actually harmful to the wildlife it means to protect and the local communities. This paper reviews fifty case studies gathered from different varieties of literature and examines multiple instances of successful tourism development that has benefited wildlife and the local communities. We conclude that, when conducted properly, tourism can indeed bring benefits to conservation and the local community.