Abstract

Invasive non-native plants can cause considerable environmental damage by replacing native species and altering ecosystem processes. Managers frequently respond to this threat by spraying herbicides, which is relatively inexpensive and requires less human labor than other control options. However, the long-term efficacy of this practice, its non-target effects on native plants, and its role in facilitating secondary invasions are not well understood. Furthermore, data on herbicide usage is rarely tracked although it is crucial for policymakers, researchers, land managers, pesticide producers and the general public. Here, I report on research projects that used greenhouse and field experiments in the foothills grasslands of Montana and (1) examined the long-term efficacy of herbicides in controlling an invasive non-native forb, (2) investigated the non-target effects of herbicides on native plant communities and plant germination, and (3) tested whether herbicide usage facilitates secondary invasions. Furthermore, I report on the results of a study that (4) quantified herbicide usage in invasive non-native plant management by the four biggest land managing agencies in the U.S.

Bio

Viktoria Wagner

Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta

Viktoria Wagner is a plant ecologist and Associate Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences, at the University of Alberta. Her research lab uses field surveys and experiments to understand patterns and drivers of non-native plant invasions, mechanisms of seed dispersal in prairie grasslands, and plant diversity of rare habitat types. She has published three book chapters and 50 research articles, including contributions to invasion ecology and invasive species management.