Disking
Use
of disking within the District is quite limited. It is the most intense disturbance of wetland vegetation used in management.
Disking destroys both the erect stems as well as breakup the extensive rhizome
system that keeps plants alive during dry conditions. Two types of disks
are used. A standard agricultural disk works in light stands of vegetation
or in areas where the intent is to only knock down the vegetation. On
dense stands of river bulrush and cattail, a Whishek Industrial 12-foot disk is
used. It is able to penetrate deeper into the root zone. The tractor
used to pull the heavier disk is a tracked, model 8400 John Deere.
Disking is best done in
conjunction with some other treatment to reduce the amount of standing
vegetation. Prescribed burning is the preferred treatment, but livestock
grazing and haying also help. Disking, however, is not recommended in
areas vulnerable to invasion by Canada thistle.
Initial observations show that pintails, mallards, white-fronts,
and Canada geese select managed wetlands where a significant amount of
vegetation remains. Snow geese select managed wetlands (including disked areas) where the
majority of the site is open water. Hopefully, managing wetland complexes in this manner will
allow separation of snow geese from other species to help reduce the spread of
avian cholera and other diseases.
Last updated: September 23, 2008
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Use
of disking within the District is quite limited. It is the most intense disturbance of wetland vegetation used in management.
Disking destroys both the erect stems as well as breakup the extensive rhizome
system that keeps plants alive during dry conditions. Two types of disks
are used. A standard agricultural disk works in light stands of vegetation
or in areas where the intent is to only knock down the vegetation. On
dense stands of river bulrush and cattail, a Whishek Industrial 12-foot disk is
used. It is able to penetrate deeper into the root zone. The tractor
used to pull the heavier disk is a tracked, model 8400 John Deere.