Abstract Detail

Ecological Section

Kurtz , Cassandra Marie [1], Hansen, Mark [1].

Monitoring invasive plant species across the Central and Northeastern United States.

Invasive plant species are a global concern because of their ecological and environmental impacts. These species have degraded forests, rangeland, agricultural, and recreational areas. Due to the vast concern over the occurrence of these species, data collected by the Forest Inventory and Analysis crew of the USDA Forest Service Northern Research Station program were analyzed and research notes are being published for the most commonly occurring invasive plants. The Northern Research Station has been monitoring the presence of 44 invasive species across the 24 states of the region since 2007 on a subset of the Phase 2 inventory plots. This subset of plots was 20 percent from 2007 through 2011 and reduced to 12.5 percent in 2012. On these designated plots, the presence and cover of the selected invasive plants are recorded in addition to the standard forest variables that are collected on Phase 2 plots. These data help determine spread, presence, and the influence of site factors. For example we have found that invasive plants tend to occur on plots that are less forested, have lower basal area, and are closer to roads. Several years of data have allowed us to look at some trends and future inventories will help to further distinguish factors that influence the presence of these species and their effect on forest regeneration.

1 - USDA Forest Service, 1992 Folwell Avenue, St. Paul, MN, 55108, USA

Keywords:
invasive species
invasive plants
Forest Inventory and Analysis.

Presentation Type: Poster:Posters for Sections
Session: P
Location: Eyrie/Boise Centre
Date: Monday, July 28th, 2014
Time: 5:30 PM
Number: PEC023
Abstract ID:194
Candidate for Awards:None