Invasive species control: Incorporating demographic data and seed dispersal into a management model for Rhododendron ponticum
Authored by Justin MJ Travis, C M Harris, K J Park, R Atkinson, C Edwards
Date Published: 2009
DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoinf.2009.07.005
Sponsors:
Scottish Funding Council
Carnegie Trust
Platforms:
R
Model Documentation:
Other Narrative
Model Code URLs:
Model code not found
Abstract
Rhododendron ponticum is a serious invasive alien plant in the British
Isles and is of significant conservation and economic concern. Here, we
integrate information on both the demographics and spatial dynamics of
this species within an individual-based, spatially-explicit model and
investigate the effectiveness of different control strategies.
Importantly, we simulate seed movement and dispersal using a mechanistic
seed dispersal model. We investigate the effectiveness of initiating
control at the edge versus the core of the infestation, with and without
returning each year to remove seedlings. We compare these results to an
age-dependent strategy whereby the oldest plants are removed each year.
Age-dependent control, in which the oldest plants were removed first, was the most effective strategy investigated, both in terms of the
probability of successful eradication and the number of years taken to
control. We demonstrate that this is because the older (and taller)
plants towards the core produce more seeds that, on average, travel
further. Indeed, our results suggest that the expansion of the invading
front is actually driven as much by seeds that disperse long distances
from these larger plants as by the seed rain from recently matured
plants located much closer to the front. Finally, we investigate the
potential use of `quarantine lines' - corridors of unsuitable habitat
that are sufficiently wide to contain an infestation, preventing spread
to vulnerable areas. This study has provided generic insights into best
practice for management based on the current understanding of the
biology and ecology of this pernicious, invasive plant. (C) 2009
Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Tags
growth
stochasticity
Strategies
Population-dynamics
Spread
Sensitivity-analysis
Establishment
Biological invasions
Plant invasions
Hypericum-perforatum