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Invasive species

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Full-Text Articles in Weed Science

Evaluation Of Herbicides For Saltcedar Control In Southwest Kansas, W. H. Fick Nov 2023

Evaluation Of Herbicides For Saltcedar Control In Southwest Kansas, W. H. Fick

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Saltcedar is an invasive species along some of the major rivers and tributaries in Kansas. The objective of this study is to determine control of saltcedar in southwestern Kansas using herbicides applied to individual trees as cut-stump, basal, and foliar treatments. Cut-stump treatments were applied in 2004-2010 during the months of April or May. Basal applications with 10% triclopyr in diesel were applied between 2007-2021 during the months of August through early October. Foliar treatments were applied during 2008-2021 using 467 L/ha spray volumes during August through early October. Chi square analysis at P < 0.05 was used to compare treatments. In initial studies, imazapyr (Arsenal) at 10% v/v in water, triclopyr (Remedy) at 10% v/v in diesel, and undiluted triclopyr (Pathfinder II) provided 80- 100% control of saltcedar, and were more effective than triclopyr + 2,4-D (Crossbow) applied as a 4% v/v solution in diesel (60% control). During 2008-2010, 10% imazapyr, 50% glyphosate, glyphosate + imazapyr (0.5% + 0.5%), triclopyr at 10 or 25%, and a mixture of triclopyr + fluroxypyr (PastureGard) at 25% all provided greater than 91% control of saltcedar. Basal bark control using 10% v/v triclopyr in diesel averaged 72% control. Foliar applications with 0.5 or 1% imazapyr and 0.5% + 1% imazapyr + glyphosate all provided greater than 84% control of saltcedar treated in 2008-2011. Imazapic (Plateau) at 1% was first compared with 1% imazapyr during 2014-2016 with both treatments providing about 80% control. During 2017-2021, 1% imazapyr (82% control), 1% imazapic (79% control), and 0.5% + 0.5% imazapyr + glyphosate (92% control) were all more effective than a combination of aminopyralid (Milestone) + triclopyr applied at 239 g/L + 359 g/L (42% control). Herbicides can be applied as cutstump, basal bark, or foliar treatments for the control of saltcedar.


Assessing The Usefulness Of Senna Obtusifolia, An Invasive Plant Species In West Africa Rangelands, A. Zaré, O. Ouédraogo, A. Linstädter Nov 2023

Assessing The Usefulness Of Senna Obtusifolia, An Invasive Plant Species In West Africa Rangelands, A. Zaré, O. Ouédraogo, A. Linstädter

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Senna obtusifolia is a less appreciated plant species. Its invasion has led to the disappearance of several herbaceous species of interest in West Africa rangelands. As adaptation strategy, people use it to substitute for those that have disappeared. This study aimed to assess the importance of this species for animal and local ethnic groups according to two contrast climate zones in Burkina Faso. Ethnobotanic survey mixed with direct observations on the field were conducted. Three hundred (300) people from height (8) ethnic groups were interviewed. The survey technique was semi-structured interviews using a previously tested semi-structured questionnaire. At the early …


A Remote Sensing Approach To Assess The Historical Invasion Of Phragmites Australis In A Brackish Coastal Marsh, Jason S. Hagani, John Y. Takekawa, Steven C. Chappell, Richelle L. Tanner, Adrienne R. Ernst, Karin M. Kettenring Jun 2023

A Remote Sensing Approach To Assess The Historical Invasion Of Phragmites Australis In A Brackish Coastal Marsh, Jason S. Hagani, John Y. Takekawa, Steven C. Chappell, Richelle L. Tanner, Adrienne R. Ernst, Karin M. Kettenring

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

Introduction: Coastal estuarine wetlands provide important habitats for a variety of endemic flora and fauna but are particularly vulnerable to biological invasions. Regular monitoring of changes in these vulnerable wetlands has become increasingly important for effective management, especially considering threats from climate change effects and human disturbance. Historical analyzes of plant invasions may guide targeted management strategies to eradicate harmful species. Estimating the distribution of invasive species has never been more accessible with the improved availability of high-resolution data and innovations in remote sensing, estimating the distribution of invasive species has never been more accessible.

Methods: We assessed the spread …


Louisiana Resident Perceptions On Invasive Aquatic Plant Species And Their Management, Anna Ribbeck Mar 2023

Louisiana Resident Perceptions On Invasive Aquatic Plant Species And Their Management, Anna Ribbeck

LSU Master's Theses

Determining the public perception of invasive species in Louisiana is an important tool to help shape and develop future management decisions, educational material and ultimately public policy. Therefore, the primary purpose of this study was to determine the perceptions of adult Louisiana residents regarding invasive aquatic plant species and their management. An online survey was used to collect data on registered Louisiana residential boaters’ perceptions towards invasive aquatic plants and their management. A postcard with a quick response code leading to the survey was mailed to 6,000 randomly selected Louisiana registered residential boaters. Of the 230 Louisiana registered boaters that …


Examining The Invasion Of Bush Honeysuckle Through A Phylogenetic Analysis, Phoebe Bruffett May 2022

Examining The Invasion Of Bush Honeysuckle Through A Phylogenetic Analysis, Phoebe Bruffett

Biological Sciences Undergraduate Honors Theses

The mechanisms underlying the continual spread of invasive plants within their respective non-native ranges is a major focal point to invasion research. Many theories have been proposed to understand these invasions, each with different implications for the predicted range for invasive plants. Lonicera maackii provides an exceptional opportunity to examine the effectiveness of these theories to explain the trends of invasive plants. Lonicera maackii is native to eastern Asia, but has invaded much of the eastern United States, presenting a severe threat to the health of forest and other natural areas. Recent analysis of the climatic envelopes uncovered a significant …


Effects Of Wollastonia Biflora Expansion On The Soil Seed Bank In Native Forest Communities On A Tropical Coral Island, Yao Huang, Hai Ren, Jun Wang, Nan Liu, Shuguang Jian, Hongyue Cai, Dafeng Hui, Qinfeng Guo Dec 2020

Effects Of Wollastonia Biflora Expansion On The Soil Seed Bank In Native Forest Communities On A Tropical Coral Island, Yao Huang, Hai Ren, Jun Wang, Nan Liu, Shuguang Jian, Hongyue Cai, Dafeng Hui, Qinfeng Guo

Biology Faculty Research

Invasive plants and native weeds (i.e., undesirable plant species) often have negative effects on native ecosystems. However, the effects of weed expansion on soil seed banks and seedling emergence in native forests have not been well investigated. In this study, we used a seedling emergence assay to assess the effects of expansion by a native weed, the perennial C4 herb Wollastonia biflora, on the soil seed bank and above-ground vegetation in forests on Yongxing Island, a coral island in the South China Sea. We found that W. biflora expansion was associated with a reduced abundance of native species in the …


Comparative Study Of The Rates Of Dispersal Of Triadica Sebifera (Chinese Tallow) And Imperata Cylindrica (Japanese Blood Grass) In North America, Jamie W. Dinella, Meem Noshin Nawal Khan Oct 2020

Comparative Study Of The Rates Of Dispersal Of Triadica Sebifera (Chinese Tallow) And Imperata Cylindrica (Japanese Blood Grass) In North America, Jamie W. Dinella, Meem Noshin Nawal Khan

Student Publications

Chinese Tallow (Triadica sebifera) and Japanese Blood Grass (Imperata cylindrica) are two invasive species that wreck havoc on their invaded areas by reducing the biodiversity of their new environments. We studied the rate of dispersal of these two species in North America to determine which species spreads faster. We hypothesized that Chinese Tallow spreads faster than Japanese Blood Grass since Chinese Tallow was introduced in North America long before Japanese Blood Grass and has a greater number of seed dispersal methods (e.g. wind, water, bird, etc.) than Japanese Blood Grass. To test our hypothesis, we collected the record of Chinese …


Considerations For Nisc’S Future Without Isac, Invasive Species Advisory Committee May 2019

Considerations For Nisc’S Future Without Isac, Invasive Species Advisory Committee

National Invasive Species Council

The Invasive Species Advisory Committee (ISAC) was established in 1999 by Executive Order 131121 and furthered by Executive Order 137512 to provide consultation, feedback, information on particular issues, and expert advice generally for consideration by the National Invasive Species Council (NISC). ISAC is composed of distinguished, experienced volunteers from various organizations that are appointed to serve on the Committee by the Secretary of the Interior. Their task is to develop assessments on many aspects of the invasive species issue in the United States and to provide recommendations for the management, control, and response to key invasive species as articulated in …


Past Invasive Species Advisory Committee (Isac) Members, National Invasive Species Committee Jan 2019

Past Invasive Species Advisory Committee (Isac) Members, National Invasive Species Committee

National Invasive Species Council

United States Department of the Interior

National Invasive Species Council

Invasive Species Advisory Committee (ISAC)

Past ISAC Members:

Class 9 (2016-2019)

Class 8 (2011-2016/2017)

Class 7 (2011-2012/2014)

Class 6 (2009-2011/2012)

Class 5 (2008/2009-2010)

Class 4 (2006-2008)

Class 3 (2004-2006)

Class 2 (2002-2004)

Class 1 (1999-2001)


Island Invasion: The Silent Crisis In Hawaii, Sophia Janssen Jan 2019

Island Invasion: The Silent Crisis In Hawaii, Sophia Janssen

Pomona Senior Theses

Keeping out invasive species may, upon first review, seem like a trivial environmental cry from ecologists and deep environmentalists; a belated wish to return to an undeveloped world where nature was pristine. However invasive species create problems that impact all of us and can have far more severe consequences than changing a stunning landscape. These problems are heightened in islands like Hawaii, where the fragile ecosystems have developed over centuries of evolution and adaptation. The introduction of a disease-carrying mosquito can put the people of Hawaii at risk to many vector-born illnesses and create an epidemic, taking human life. The …


Mitigating Bioiversity Loss Of Native Plants, Jamie Ana Grigonis May 2018

Mitigating Bioiversity Loss Of Native Plants, Jamie Ana Grigonis

Student Theses 2015-Present

Growing up harvesting from my own vegetable garden and going from nursery to nursery with my mother, it has been extremely evident that plant biodiversity is more than just privet along driveways and carnations in window boxes. Plant biodiversity is often overlooked but crucial to having a healthy and thriving environment. Without certain plants, our ecosystems will crumble and this needs to be addressed now while it’s still at a level we can grow from. In my internship I am working alongside the director of the Thain Family Forest at the New York Botanical Gardens in order to get a …


Reducing The Risk Of Invasive Pathogens To Wildlife Health In The United States, Edward E. Clark Jr., Marshall Meyers, David Eldon Starling, Brent Stewart, Nathan Stone, Gary Tabor, Jeffrey S. White Mar 2018

Reducing The Risk Of Invasive Pathogens To Wildlife Health In The United States, Edward E. Clark Jr., Marshall Meyers, David Eldon Starling, Brent Stewart, Nathan Stone, Gary Tabor, Jeffrey S. White

National Invasive Species Council

Call to Action

In keeping with action items 4.3.1 and 4.3.2 of the 2016–2018 National Invasive Species Council (NISC) Management Plan, the Wildlife Health Task Team of the Invasive Species Advisory Committee (ISAC) was charged with: 1) identifying the major areas of vulnerability to native wildlife from the introduction and spread of invasive pathogens, and 2) making recommendations to address these vulnerabilities, including through potential changes in statute, regulation, policy, or practice of the relevant agencies.


Considerations For The 2019–2021 Nisc Management Plan, Invasive Species Advisory Committee Mar 2018

Considerations For The 2019–2021 Nisc Management Plan, Invasive Species Advisory Committee

National Invasive Species Council

The Issue

Efforts to prevent the importation of invasive species are insufficient to protect the United States. Nor are resources adequate for the eradication or control of invasive species that have already entered the country. There is a clear need for more effective coordination and collaboration among federal agencies and other entities to address gaps and inconsistencies in relevant statutes, regulations, agency authorities, as well as to improve and sustain access to the data needed to inform decisions and direct action


Advanced Biotechnology Tools For Invasive Species Management, Invasive Species Advisory Committee Dec 2017

Advanced Biotechnology Tools For Invasive Species Management, Invasive Species Advisory Committee

National Invasive Species Council

Increasingly, genetic tools are being used to detect and solve pressing environmental, social, and health-related challenges. It is clear that investments in technology innovation can be game changing, as advances in biotechnology may provide new methods to protect the nation’s resources from the negative impacts of invasive species. The current toolbox of management options is recognizably insufficient to deal with many of the high-impact species that have been introduced. However, “surrendering” to these species is generally not a viable option from ecological, health, economic, socio-cultural, or political perspectives. Cost-efficient solutions to these “grand invasive species challenges” need to be found. …


Managed Relocation: Reducing The Risk Of Biological Invasion, Edward E. Clark Jr., Dan Simberloff, Mark Schwartz, Brent Stewart, John Peter Thompson Dec 2017

Managed Relocation: Reducing The Risk Of Biological Invasion, Edward E. Clark Jr., Dan Simberloff, Mark Schwartz, Brent Stewart, John Peter Thompson

National Invasive Species Council

Key Finding

Any organism that is relocated to a novel ecosystem has the potential to become an invasive species or spread “hitching” invasive species, or both. Managed Relocation is not congruent with Executive Order 13112 to the extent that it might facilitate “economic or environmental harm or harm to human, animal, or plant health.” Consequently, the actions by federal agencies or those entities supported by federal funding to engage in managed relocation need to be addressed in a manner consistent with EO 13751 Section 3(3), which compels Agencies to:

Refrain from authorizing, funding, or implementing actions that are likely to …


Enhancing Federal-Tribal Coordination Of Invasive Species, Blaine Parker, Chuck Bargeron, Sean Southey, Lori Buchanan, Miles Falck, Chris Fisher, Joe Maroney, Mervin Wright, Gintas Zavadkas Dec 2017

Enhancing Federal-Tribal Coordination Of Invasive Species, Blaine Parker, Chuck Bargeron, Sean Southey, Lori Buchanan, Miles Falck, Chris Fisher, Joe Maroney, Mervin Wright, Gintas Zavadkas

National Invasive Species Council

Invasive species are defined by the United States government to mean “with regard to a particular ecosystem, a non-native organism whose introduction causes or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm, or harm to human, animal, or plant health” (Executive Order [EO] 13751). The ecosystems to which invasive species are introduced or spread are not delimited by jurisdictional boundaries; they intersect with lands managed by federal, tribal, state, territorial, and county governments, as well as properties under private ownership. For this reason, effective coordination and cooperation across jurisdictions is of paramount importance in the prevention, eradication, and control of …


Phragmites Removal Increases Property Values In Michigan’S Lower Grand River Watershed, Paul Isely, Erik E. Nordman, Shaun Howard, Richard Bowman Sep 2017

Phragmites Removal Increases Property Values In Michigan’S Lower Grand River Watershed, Paul Isely, Erik E. Nordman, Shaun Howard, Richard Bowman

Journal of Ocean and Coastal Economics

The presence of Phragmites australis, an invasive wetland plant, negatively affects coastal property values and home prices rise with distance from Phragmites. Home prices increased as distance to Phragmites increased at a rate of $3.90/meter. Removing Phragmites from a property so that the next closest Phragmites was 400 m away results in a property value increase of over $1,500. Removing all Phragmites within 400 m of any property results in a total property value impact of $837,000. This generates about $13,457-$15,121 in additional property taxes each year once the prices and taxes adjust to the plant’s removal. We …


Salvinia Molesta: An Assessment Of The Effects And Methods Of Eradication, Arti Lal Dec 2016

Salvinia Molesta: An Assessment Of The Effects And Methods Of Eradication, Arti Lal

Master's Projects and Capstones

Salvinia molesta is an invasive aquatic fern. It is now the second worse aquatic invader in the world. Since the 1930s, it has invaded most tropical and some temperate countries. S. molesta plants grow vegetatively and can increase in size rapidly. S. molesta can form thick mats of up to 1-meter-thick. There are a number of ways these thick mats negatively affect the environment: 1) reduce light to benthic organisms, 2) reduce oxygen in the water column for other organisms, 3) accumulate as organic matter at the bottom of the water column, 4) decrease nutrients for other organisms, and 5) …


Plant Community Associations Of Two Invasive Thistles, Emily S.J. Rauschert, Katriona Shea, Sarah Goslee Oct 2016

Plant Community Associations Of Two Invasive Thistles, Emily S.J. Rauschert, Katriona Shea, Sarah Goslee

Emily Rauschert

In order to combat the growing problems associated with biological invasions, many researchers have focused on identifying which communities are most vulnerable to invasion by exotic species. However, once established, invasive species can significantly change the composition of the communities that they invade. The first step to disentangling the direction of causality is to discern whether a relationship with other vegetation exists at all. Carduus nutans and C. acanthoides are similar invasive thistles, which have caused substantial economic damage worldwide. We assessed the associations between the thistles and the standing flora in four sites in central Pennsylvania in which they …


Understory Plant Community Structure In Forests Invaded By Garlic Mustard (Alliaria Petiolata), Jason Aylward Jul 2016

Understory Plant Community Structure In Forests Invaded By Garlic Mustard (Alliaria Petiolata), Jason Aylward

Masters Theses

ABSTRACT

UNDERSTORY PLANT COMMUNITY STRUCTURE IN FORESTS INVADED BY GARLIC MUSTARD (ALLIARIA PETIOLATA)

MAY 2016

JASON ALLEN AYLWARD, B.S., PAUL SMITH’S COLLEGE

M.S. UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS AMHERST

Directed by: Professor Kristina Stinson

Plant invasions represent a significant threat to the structure and function of natural ecosystems. Garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) has been identified as a threat to native communities mostly through small-scale studies and focused experiments. In this in situ observational study I examined the effects of garlic mustard invasion on species composition across multiple sites by comparing plant diversity and composition in invaded and adjacent …


Addressing The Needs Of Classical Biological Control Programs, Invasive Species Advisory Committee Jul 2016

Addressing The Needs Of Classical Biological Control Programs, Invasive Species Advisory Committee

National Invasive Species Council

Conclusions

Classical biological control has been among the most cost- effective and environmentally safe management tools for invasive species for many years, both nationally and internationally. Addressing the political, regulatory, and institutional challenges in the discovery, pre-release phase and post-release monitoring of a classical biological control program would greatly enhance the long-term potential for success. From this white paper, a number of recommendations were developed that we believe will significantly improve prioritization and effectiveness of classical biological control programs, including:

1. Develop transparent criteria to prioritize those invasive species for which classical biological control is the most cost-effective control option. …


Effects Of Short-Term Soil Conditioning By Cheatgrass And Western Wheatgrass, James J. O'Connor, Janet S. Prevey Dec 2015

Effects Of Short-Term Soil Conditioning By Cheatgrass And Western Wheatgrass, James J. O'Connor, Janet S. Prevey

The Prairie Naturalist

The exotic grass Bromus tectorum (cheatgrass) is a ubiquitous invader in the western USA. Cheatgrass is a proficient competitor, frequently displacing native plants, forming monotypic stands and reducing biodiversity in ecosystems it invades. Our experiment tested whether short-term soil modification by cheatgrass and a predominant native grass, Pascopyrum smithii (western wheatgrass), affected subsequent growth of both species. We compared productivity of cheatgrass and western wheatgrass by harvesting aboveground biomass of plants grown in either cheatgrass- or western wheatgrass-conditioned soils over two simulated growing seasons. Results indicated that cheatgrass soils do not inhibit the productivity of the native grass, but do …


Enhancing The Effectiveness Of Biological Control Programs Of Invasive Species By Utilizing An Integrated Pest Management Approach, Invasive Species Advisory Committee Oct 2015

Enhancing The Effectiveness Of Biological Control Programs Of Invasive Species By Utilizing An Integrated Pest Management Approach, Invasive Species Advisory Committee

National Invasive Species Council

Conclusion

Biological control has been shown on many occasions to be the most cost-effective invasive species management tool available. However, integrating biological control projects with the full breadth of other integrated pest management (IPM) tools, expanding post-re- lease monitoring to maximize efficacy, adaptive management, and incorporating new and innovative ecological, and genetic technologies may provide private and public land managers greater opportunities for long-term success in suppression of established invasive species.


Plant Community Associations Of Two Invasive Thistles, Emily S.J. Rauschert, Katriona Shea, Sarah Goslee Jun 2015

Plant Community Associations Of Two Invasive Thistles, Emily S.J. Rauschert, Katriona Shea, Sarah Goslee

Biological, Geological, and Environmental Faculty Publications

In order to combat the growing problems associated with biological invasions, many researchers have focused on identifying which communities are most vulnerable to invasion by exotic species. However, once established, invasive species can significantly change the composition of the communities that they invade. The first step to disentangling the direction of causality is to discern whether a relationship with other vegetation exists at all. Carduus nutans and C. acanthoides are similar invasive thistles, which have caused substantial economic damage worldwide. We assessed the associations between the thistles and the standing flora in four sites in central Pennsylvania in which they …


Background Paper On Systematics, Invasive Species Advisory Committee May 2015

Background Paper On Systematics, Invasive Species Advisory Committee

National Invasive Species Council

The Invasive Species Advisory Committee (ISAC) makes recommendations to the Federal government agencies that have an invasive species portfolio. This systematics recommendation strives to motivate action in the agencies that have been identified in the Situation Report as the agencies with systematics capabilities in the Federal government.

The USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and the Smithsonian Institution are repositories of a large amount of the systematics collections and human capabilities for systematics essential work on invasive species. Conducting the Survey of their systematics capabilities and needs is urgent. The Survey will describe actions in research, specimen-based collections, a biodiversity informatics …


Harvest Incentives: A Tool For Managing Aquatic Invasive Species, Bob Wiltshire, Nathan Stone, Marshall Meyers, Bill Hyatt, Lori Williams, Jason Goldberg, Susan Pasko, Leah Elwell May 2014

Harvest Incentives: A Tool For Managing Aquatic Invasive Species, Bob Wiltshire, Nathan Stone, Marshall Meyers, Bill Hyatt, Lori Williams, Jason Goldberg, Susan Pasko, Leah Elwell

National Invasive Species Council

Conclusion

The success of any harvest incentive program to address aquatic invasive species will depend upon numerous biological, socioeconomic, and legal considerations. Programs that encourage harvest may be a successful management tool in targeting small, distinct populations; in high priority areas within a larger invasion; or they may play a supplementary role within larger control programs. Their use, however, will require careful review, planning, and monitoring to ensure success and that they do not unintentionally lead to further spread of invasive species, cause additional harm to native species, or waste valuable resources.


Use Of Seeded Exotic Grasslands By Wintering Birds, Andrew D. George, Timothy J. O'Connell, Karen R. Hickman, David M. Lesliee Jr. Dec 2013

Use Of Seeded Exotic Grasslands By Wintering Birds, Andrew D. George, Timothy J. O'Connell, Karen R. Hickman, David M. Lesliee Jr.

The Prairie Naturalist

Despite widespread population declines of North American grassland birds, effects of anthropogenic disturbance on wintering habitat of this guild remain poorly understood. We compared avian abundance and habitat structure in fields planted to the exotic grass Old World bluestem (Bothriochloa ischaemum; OWB) to that in native mixed-grass prairie. During winters of 2007–2008 and 2008–2009, we conducted bird and vegetation surveys in six native grass and six OWB fields in Garfield, Grant, and Alfalfa counties, Oklahoma. We recorded 24 species of wintering birds in native fields and 14 species in OWB monocultures. While vegetation structure was similar between field …


Validation Of Pcr-Based Assays And Laboratory Accreditation For Environmental Detection Of Aquatic Invasive Species, Invasive Species Advisory Committee May 2012

Validation Of Pcr-Based Assays And Laboratory Accreditation For Environmental Detection Of Aquatic Invasive Species, Invasive Species Advisory Committee

National Invasive Species Council

This white paper provides:

a) Background information on the use, accuracy and reliability of PCR-based assays such as environmentally sampled DNA (eDNA) for early detection of aquatic invasive species (AIS) and;

b) Recommendations for establishing a system for validating assays and accrediting laboratories that report on the presence or absence of AIS.

This white paper was developed by the members of ISAC and discusses the need for developing validation requirements for Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and other DNA-based molecular assays that are increasingly being used to detect AIS. It does not provide a simplified checklist for evaluation of their ability …


Invasive Species And E-Commerce, Invasive Species Advisory Committee May 2012

Invasive Species And E-Commerce, Invasive Species Advisory Committee

National Invasive Species Council

ISSUE

Internet commerce (hereafter e-commerce) is a growing and vital part of the United States economy. Total e-commerce sales in the United States for 2011 totaled $194 billion, an increase of 16% over 2010. From 2002 to 2011, the proportion of reported e-commerce sales in the U. S. grew from about 1.4% to 5.5% of total retail sales (United States Census Bureau News 2012). Globally, e-commerce is expected to increase at a rate of 13.5% annually, amounting to $1.4 trillion in yearly sales by 2015 (Enright 2011). A portion of this activity includes the sale and trade of living organisms. …


Exploring The Seed Bank Dynamics Of Red Brome: Longevity, Density, And Relationship To Fire, Benjamin S. Jurand May 2012

Exploring The Seed Bank Dynamics Of Red Brome: Longevity, Density, And Relationship To Fire, Benjamin S. Jurand

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This research explores several untested aspects of the seed bank characteristics of red brome (Bromus rubens), an invasive annual grass in southwestern United States arid lands. Red brome is a formidable competitor to native plant species, both annual and perennial alike, and produces many seeds that germinate easily. The stalks of red brome contribute continuous-cover fuel loads that facilitate wildfires destructive to mature native Mojave Desert plant communities. This makes it a priority species for land managers, particularly when dealing with recovery after fire.

This project addressed questions related to the longevity of red brome seeds in soil seed banks …