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Author: Green, Ashley
Email: argreen@utexas.edu
Phone: 512 471 4546
Organization: University of Texas at Austin
Address: The University of Texas at Austin Biology Instructional Office, Austin, TX, 78712

Abstract Title: Demographic heterogeneity of an invasive plant, Centaurea stoebe (spotted knapweed)

Abstract Text: Centaurea stoebe (Asteraceae, spotted knapweed) is a non-native species that is a major pest in the northwestern United States, and is currently invading the northeast. A demographic study of Centaurea stoebe was conducted in 19 populations in the Adirondacks in upstate New York. Individual plants were tracked for three years and size and reproduction were measured for each plant. Plant growth, survival, and fecundity rates were analyzed for each population each year. Populations differ in plant growth, survival, and fecundity. These differences will effect population growth rates, and create demographic heterogeneity between populations within this region. Demographic heterogeneity between populations has large implications for invasions across a landscape. If some populations have “hit the jackpot”, that is, have exceptionally high population growth rates, they may play a disproportionate role in the ongoing invasion. Such populations would therefore be a high priority target for eradication.

Conference
Year: TIPPC_2016
Presentation Type: Oral Presentation
Presenter Type (Student or Regular): Student
Session: 4. Research
Submission Date: 2016-02-12

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