Factors influencing plant invasiveness

Yvette K. Ortega; Dean E. Pearson

Treesearch

Factors influencing plant invasiveness

Informally Refereed

Authors:

Yvette K. Ortega, Dean E. Pearson

Year:

2009

Type:

Science Bulletins and Newsletters

Station:

Rocky Mountain Research Station

Source:

In: Kim, Mee-Sook; Butler, Jack, eds. Invasive Species Science Update (No. 3). Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. p. 3-4.

Download (PDF 237 KB)

Download (PDF 237 KB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/52973.pdf

Abstract

Invasiveness of spotted knapweed and biological control agents. Dean and Yvette are examining the influence of drought on the invasiveness of spotted knapweed (Centaurea maculosa) and its susceptibility to herbivory by biological control agents. In collaboration with the University of Montana and Forest Health Protection, researchers have constructed 150 experimental plots. Treatments involve controlling precipitation levels by using mechanized rain covers and manipulating access to plants by the biocontrol agent, Cyphocleonus achates, a root-boring weevil. Preliminary analyses indicate that the drought treatment depressed survival of knapweed.

Keywords

invasive species, spotted knapweed, Centaurea maculosa, biological control agents

Citation

Ortega, Yvette; Pearson, Dean. 2009. Factors influencing plant invasiveness. In: Kim, Mee-Sook; Butler, Jack, eds. Invasive Species Science Update (No. 3). Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. p. 3-4.