Secondary Invasions of Noxious Weeds Associated with Control of Invasive Tamarix Are Frequent, Idiosyncratic and Persistent

Authors

• Eduardo González, Université de Toulouse, University of Denver
• Anna A. Sher, University of DenverFollow
• Robert M. Anderson, University of Denver
• Robin F. Bay, University of Denver
• Daniel W. Bean, Colorado Department of Agriculture, Biological Pest Control, Palisade Insectary
• Gabriel J. Bissonnete, U.S. Bureau of Land Management
• David J. Cooper, Colorado State University
• Kara Dohrenwend, Rim to Rim Restoration
• Kim D. Eichhorst, Bosque Ecosystem Monitoring Program (BEMP), University of New Mexico
• Hisham El Waer, University of Denver
• Deborah K. Kennard, Colorado Mesa University
• Rebecca Harms-Weissinger, Northern Colorado Plateau Network, National Park Service
• Annie L. Henry, University of Denver
• Lori J. Makarick, Grand Canyon National Park
• Steven M. Ostoja, USDA California Climate Hub, Agricultural Research Service, University of California
• Lindsay V. Reynolds, Colorado State University
• W. Wright Robinson, Grand County Weed Department
• Patrick B. Shafroth, U. S. Geological Survey, Fort Collins Science Center
• Eric Tabacchi, Université de Toulouse

Publication Date

7-11-2017

Document Type

Article

Organizational Units

College of Natural Science and Mathematics, Biological Sciences

Keywords

Ecological restoration, Invasive species management, Noxious weeds, Riparian systems, Secondary invasions, Tamarix control

Abstract

Control of invasive species within ecosystems may induce secondary invasions of non-target invaders replacing the first alien. We used four plant species listed as noxious by local authorities in riparian systems to discern whether 1) the severity of these secondary invasions was related to the control method applied to the first alien; and 2) which species that were secondary invaders persisted over time. In a collaborative study by 16 research institutions, we monitored plant species composition following control of non-native Tamarix trees along southwestern U.S. rivers using defoliation by an introduced biocontrol beetle, and three physical removal methods: mechanical using saws, heavy machinery, and burning in 244 treated and 79 untreated sites across six U.S. states. Physical removal favored secondary invasions immediately after Tamarix removal (0–3 yrs.), while in the biocontrol treatment, secondary invasions manifested later (> 5 yrs.). Within this general trend, the response of weeds to control was idiosyncratic; dependent on treatment type and invader. Two annual tumbleweeds that only reproduce by seed (Bassia scoparia and Salsola tragus) peaked immediately after physical Tamarix removal and persisted over time, even after herbicide application. Acroptilon repens, a perennial forb that vigorously reproduces by rhizomes, and Bromus tectorum, a very frequent annual grass before removal that only reproduces by seed, were most successful at biocontrol sites, and progressively spread as the canopy layer opened. These results demonstrate that strategies to control Tamarix affect secondary invasions differently among species and that time since disturbance is an important, generally overlooked, factor affecting response.

Copyright Date

7-11-2017

Copyright Statement / License for Reuse

All Rights Reserved.

Rights Holder

Elsevier Ltd.

Provenance

Received from author

Language

English (eng)

Extent

9 pgs

Publication Statement

Copyright is held by Elsevier Ltd. User is responsible for all copyright compliance.

Publication Title

Biological Conservation

Volume

213, Part A

First Page

106

Last Page

114

ISSN

1873-2917

Recommended Citation

González, E., Sher, A. A., Anderson, R. M., Bay, R. F., Bean, D. W., Bissonnete, G. J., ..., & Tabbachi, E. (2017). Secondary invasions of noxious weeds associated with control of invasive Tamarix are frequent, idiosyncratic and persistent. Biological Conservation, 213, Part A, 106–114. DOI: 10.1016/j.biocon.2017.06.043

DOI Link

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2017.06.043