Land Use, Landscapes, and Biological Invasions

Authors

Karie L. Decker, USGS Nebraska Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research UnitFollow
Craig R. Allen, USGS Nebraska Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, University of NebraskaFollow
Leonardo Acosta, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Michelle L. Hellman, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Christopher F. Jorgensen, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Ryan J. Stutzman, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Kody M. Unstad, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Amy Williams, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Matthew Yans, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Date of this Version

1-2012

Comments

Published in Invasive Plant Science and Management 2012 5:108–116
DOI: 10.1614/IPSM-D-11-00007.1

Abstract

The negative effect of invasive species on native species, communities, and ecosystems is widely recognized, and the economic effects in the United States are estimated to be billions of dollars annually. Studies often examine traits of nonnative species or examine what makes a particular habitat invasible. To better understand the factors governing invasions, we used the flora of Nebraska to characterize and compare native and nonnative plant occurrences throughout the state. In addition, we assessed four critical landscape predictors of nonnative plant richness: human population size and three land cover attributes that included percentage of grassland, percentage of agriculture, and percentage of public lands. Results indicated that individual plant species richness has increased by about 35% through invasions (primarily of annuals from the family Poaceae). In addition, human population density, percentage of agriculture, and percentage of public lands all show a positive association with nonnative plant richness. Successful plant invasions may change the composition of species communities, basic ecological functions, and the delivery of ecosystem services. Thus, identifying the factors that influence such variation in distribution patterns can be fundamental to recognizing the present and potential future extent of nonnative plant infestations and, in turn, developing appropriate management programs.