Physical Methods in Practice Three basic principles can guide
selecting and applying physical methods that achieve management
outcomes while promoting and maintaining desired vegetation: -
Physical methods vary in the type of physical injury and stress
they inflict. - Plant species vary in their response to physical
injury and stress. - Ecosystems (biological communities and
their environment) vary in their response to physical methods.
Setting realistic goals for applying physical methods
successfully requires a thorough understanding of how invasive
and desirable plant populations within a particular ecosystem
will respond to the type of injury and stress a particular
method inflicts. From hand pulling, to soil solarization, to
benthic barriers, each physical method requires different
application tactics and has advantages and disadvantages. In
general, controlling invasive plant populations successfully
with physical methods depends on selecting a physical method
that is compatible with the target species