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ARS Home » Plains Area » Las Cruces, New Mexico » Range Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #161847
Title: INSIGHTS TO INVASIVE SPECIES DYNAMICS FROM DESERTIFICATION STUDIES

Author
item Peters, Debra
item YAO, JIN - NEW MEXICO STATE UNIV
item Havstad, Kris

Submitted to: Weed Technology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/14/2004
Publication Date: 8/1/2004
Citation: Peters, D.C., Yao, J., Havstad, K.M. 2004. Insights to invasive species dynamics from desertification studies. Weed Technology. 18:1221-1225.

Interpretive Summary: In this paper, we use insights developed from the long history of research at the Jornada Experimental Range in southern NM to address problems associated with invasive species. We describe a new conceptual model of desertification and woody plant invasion that includes landscape characteristics, environmental drivers, and biotic processes interacting across multiple spatial and temporal scales. We then provide support for the model using long-term data from the Jornada. We also discuss new insights that this model has to offer for understanding, predicting, and managing exotic invasive species.

Technical Abstract: The objective of this paper is to provide insights into exotic and native invasive species dynamics using a conceptual model developed from the long history of research on native woody plant invasion into perennial grasslands. We first describe our new conceptual model that focuses on landscape characteristics (spatial configuration and connectivity) interacting with environmental drivers and biotic processes across multiple scales. We then provide support for the model using a long-term dataset from southern New Mexico. Finally, we discuss new insights this model has to offer for understanding, predicting, and managing exotic invasive species dynamics.