Spatial prediction of invasion success across heterogeneous landscapes using an individual-based model
Authored by SC Goslee, DPC Peters, KG Beck
Date Published: 2006
DOI: 10.1007/s10530-004-2954-y
Sponsors:
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Platforms:
No platforms listed
Model Documentation:
Other Narrative
Model Code URLs:
Model code not found
Abstract
The limited resources available for managing invasive plant species in
native ecosystems and the magnitude of the problem make it essential
that we develop methods to prioritize sites for management efforts. We
used the individual-based simulation model ECOTONE in conjunction with
climate and soil texture data to identify grassland site types where the
invasive perennial forb Acroptilon repens is likely to be successful, and to create a threat map indicating the most vulnerable regions of
Colorado. Acroptilon repens has the potential to become most abundant in
dry areas with fine-textured soils. This information can be used to
direct management efforts towards the areas at greatest risk, allowing
the most effective use of limited resources. The most common approach
for identifying invasible regions has been to extrapolate from the
locations of existing invasions to find similar sites. Two major
drawbacks to this method are the lack of consideration of the role of
the existing plant community in inhibiting or facilitating invasion, and
the assumption that the invading species is at equilibrium with the
environment. The combination of an individual-based simulation model and
a geographic information system provides a flexible tool to investigate
the community and regional dynamics of invasive plant species.
Tags
Climate
Russian knapweed
Weeds