Plant Community Response to Control of a Dominant Invader at Multiple Scales
Researchers examined how riparian ecosystems in western North America respond to the control of invasive Tamarix spp., focusing on vegetation recovery and wildlife habitat. A meta-analysis of the past 20 years showed that while Tamarix removal reduces its dominance and can promote native vegetation, effects are generally small and knowledge gaps remain, particularly regarding the adequacy of replacement species for bird habitat. A study of Salix (willow) spp. revealed that although Tamarix decline can coincide with willow increases under certain conditions, willows did not consistently replace Tamarix as the dominant woody species; however, herbicide treatments were linked to greater willow regrowth. At a broader scale, lidar analysis demonstrated that active reintroduction of native trees leads to denser biomass over time, offering higher-quality bird habitat compared to other restoration methods. Overall, the findings highlight both the challenges and potential of using targeted management strategies to improve habitat and biodiversity in Tamarix-invaded systems.
Goetz, A. R. B. (2023). Plant community response to control of a dominant invader at multiple scales (Doctoral dissertation, University of Denver). University of Denver Digital Commons.
Read the full dissertation here.