Invasive plants are a regular and often pervasive component of forested ecosystems

In central kentucky as well as other U.S. Regions, invasive shrubs are one of the most significant contributors to poor tree regeneration, declining wildlife habitat, poor soil conditions and the high cost of habitat improvement. In many cases, invasive plant removal is very labor intensive, requires the regular use of herbicides. This mcintyre- stennis project will address these issues involving two objectives related to the control of invasive shrubs in kentucky's forests. The first goal will evaluate invasive plant removal on steep slopes using traditional brush management practices, removal of invasive shrubs at different levels, and examining the effects of removing shrubs on soil erosion rates. This goal will provide practical solutions to forest management for many landholders in mountainous regions of eastern kentucky. This project will be implemented in collaboration with our many statewide partners in eastern kentucky. Our past mcintire-stennis projects had seen the utilization of drone technology in assessment of invasive species in forests. The second goal of this project will look into the direct intervention of drones to manage forested land by investigating the efficacy of using spray drones to control forest invasive shrubs. Kentucky state university has a significant drone infrastructure that will be used in this project and the results will be disseminated among many forestry community groups in the state. Needs assessment interviews with forestry partners and communities in eastern kentucky had indicated their interest in evaluating agroforestry opportunities that can lead to regional economic development. The third objective of our mcintire-stennis project involves examining cultivation and production methods of high value forest crops in kentucky's forested lands. This objective will be implemented using partners that are both in-state and out of state. Several high value forest crops with short to medium growth cycles will be evaluated. The results will provide a list of good production management practices for these crops, and will be disseminated through media and workshops with stakeholders. Attached to this documentation in-kind matching funds from our collaborators.