Source: OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY submitted to
INVASIVE PLANT SPECIES IN OKLAHOMA GRASSLANDS: ECOLOGY, MANAGEMENT AND RESTORATION
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
TERMINATED
Funding Source
HATCH
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
0215207
Grant No.
(N/A)
Project No.
OKL02670
Proposal No.
(N/A)
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Program Code
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Oct 1, 2008
Project End Date
Sep 30, 2013
Grant Year
(N/A)
Project Director
Hickman, K.
Recipient Organization
OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY
(N/A)
STILLWATER,OK 74078
Performing Department
Natural Resource Ecology & Management
Non Technical Summary
Oklahoma?s unique natural resources are in imminent danger from invasive species, such as Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana), Old World Bluestems (OWB; Bothriochloa spp.), Sericea Lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata), & Salt Cedar (Tamarix sp.). These invasions reduce agricultural production, lower water quality & quantity, alter wildlife habitat, increase fire danger & reduce potential for rural economic development. The widespread occurrence of invasive species, together with an increased understanding of their undesirable & unknown effects on native grassland biodiversity, has resulted in an increased awareness by both private land managers & government agencies. It is clear that techniques need to be developed that are successful in converting sites that are either invaded by, or planted to, invasive species [e.g. hay fields, Conservation Reserve Program plantings, native rangeland] back to native plant communities. Several governmental agencies & land managers have attempted implementing various combinations of conversion techniques (e.g. herbicide application, tillage, prescribed fire) with limited success. An unintentional source of invasive species has been the development & release of non-native forage species, with subsequent invasions of native rangeland. Several invasive forage species, including Sericea lespedeza, tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea), & Old World Bluestems are profoundly impacting native rangelands in Oklahoma. To successfully control & eliminate the invasion of invasive species threatening OK rangelands, successful conversion techniques need to be developed that restore invaded areas & reduce or eliminate the invasive spread at both small & large scales. The information to develop new techniques is lacking. This project will provide information necessary to eradicate OWB & establish native plant communities.
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
(N/A)
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
12107991070100%
Knowledge Area
121 - Management of Range Resources;

Subject Of Investigation
0799 - Rangelands and grasslands, general;

Field Of Science
1070 - Ecology;
Goals / Objectives
1. Assess the effectiveness of various management practices (e.g. herbicide, burning, mowing) on conversion of grasslands invaded by, or planted to, invasive species (e.g. Old World Bluestems, Sericea lespedeza). 2. Identify mechanisms (e.g. alterations in soil & light environments) used by various invasive species (e.g. Old World Bluestems, Sericea lespedeza, Eastern Red Cedar) that invade & successfully establish in native grasslands. This information is critical for the identification & implementation of successful approaches for restoration practices that will be necessary for successful conversion of invaded sites to native vegetation. 3. Assess potential mechanisms by which OWB invasion occurs. Anecdotal evidence suggests OWB invades other vegetation types through seed dispersal & contribution of OWB seed to the seed bank of the neighboring rangeland. The goal of this objective is to quantify the soil seed bank in sites with varying abundances (invasions) of OWB.
Project Methods
We will conduct a small plot study utilizing an established OWB monoculture field. Treatments to control OWB will be applied in the spring, summer, or end of the growing season & a native mix will be reseeded. Treatments will include combinations of differing rates of glyphosate applied 1 to 3 times in the growing season with or without burning or mowing. A total of 24 treatments will be established. Live basal tiller number, frequency of live crowns, reproductive tiller number, foliar cover, & estimated percent control of OWB in 3 sq. m. quadrats within each replication will be quantified after each treatment. Plots, including the control, will be reseeded with a native mixed-grass prairie seed mixture. The native mix stand will be evaluated at regular intervals. Monitoring will continue through the remaining years of the study. Data will be analyzed & if needed, transformations will be conducted. Total basal tiller density, aerial reproductive seedhead density, frequency & visible control data will be analyzed. The impact of OWB & sericea lespedeza on above & belowground characteristics of native prairie sites in OK & KS will be assessed. This cross-site study will involve establishment of plots at 2 KS & 2 OK sites. All are frequently burned, native warm-season prairies that are experiencing invasion. At each site, soil will be collected from beneath four replicate established Old World Bluestem plants, sericea lespedeza plants, & beneath adjacent warm-season native prairie plants. Areas dominated by Caucasian bluestem have large spaces of bare soil between individual bunches of grass, thus four replicate soil samples will be collected from areas between Caucasian bluestem plants. Soil will be analyzed for nutrient composition, organic matter, & total soil C & N. Feedback effects of the non-native bluestems will be assessed using a greenhouse study. We will assess growth of native & introduced warm-season grass species in soils collected from beneath or between Caucasian bluestem, beneath yellow bluestem, beneath sericea lespedeza, & beneath native C4 plants. Seeds of 2 native C4 species & 2 invasive Old World Bluestem species will be germinated. Fourteen days after emergence (second-leaf stage), 6 replicate seedlings will be individually transplanted into pots filled soil collected from each site. The plants will be maintained in a greenhouse for 16 weeks & harvested for determination of root & shoot biomass, tissue quality, & soil nutrients. The mechanism by which OWB escapes from monoculture planting to invade native rangelands is not known. One potential mechanism may be through seed dispersal & contribution of OWB seed to the seed bank of the neighboring rangeland. To test this mechanism, the seed bank of OWB monocultures & native rangeland with varying history & level of OWB invasion will be sampled. In addition to seed bank sampling, each GPS located sample point will also record seedlings germinated, soil texture, type, & nutrient composition, slope, distance from road/trail, current plant community composition, previous management practices, aspect, & distance from closest OWB seed source.

Progress 10/01/08 to 09/30/13

Outputs
Target Audience: Grassland managers in the Central and Southern Great Plains Non-governmental Agencies, Federal and State Agency Personnel responsible for managing native rangeland/grassland that has been threatened by invasion of exotic forages. Natural Resource students (undergraduate and graduate) Ecological Scientific Community Invasive Species Ecological Scientific Community Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Five graduate students and over 20 undergraduates have been trained throughout this project in field and lab-based experimental techniques. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Results of each of the completed objectives have been reported via peer reviewed publications, presentations at local, state, regional, national, and international meetings. Organizing the Oklahoma Invasive Species Council annual meeting; holding stakeholder meetings concerning invasive species. Research results were presented at state, regional, and international meetings of the Oklahoma Invasive Plant Council, Society for Range Management (Spokane, WA), Ecological Society of America meeting (Portland, Oregon), OK Section of the Society for Range Management and OK Section of The Wildlife Society. We have obtained additional funding through partners that include The Nature Conservancy (sub-contract through USDA-Conservation Innovation Grant funding), Department of Defense, and the Oklahoma Department of Transportation. A new collaborative relationship was established with colleagues at Indiana University (Jim Bever and Peggy Schultz) in which funding from the Department of Defense was obtained (5 years: $2,173,000; $961,000 to OSU).We have continued collaborative projects with South Texas Natives (Forrest Smith) and the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute. Our primary partner is the Oklahoma Invasive Plant Council, for which Hickman is past-president. The Council has members that include the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, The Nature Conservancy, the Oklahoma Biological Survey, University of Oklahoma, the Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts, the USDA-Natural Resource Conservation Service, Oklahoma Conservation Commission, Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts, Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry, the Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, Oklahoma Tourism and Parks, the Oklahoma Native Plant Society, the Oklahoma Water Resources Board, the Oklahoma Vegetation Management Association, Oklahoma Wheat Commission, Bureau of Indian Affairs, US Forest Service, and various members from Oklahoma State University. These agencies and groups are working together to address the issue of invasive plant species in Oklahoma. Other participants in OKLO 2670 include graduate students, private landowners, and managers who participated in, meetings, presentations, and collaborators (Gail W.T. Wilson, Natural Resource Ecology & Management, Oklahoma State University, Keith R. Harmoney, Kansas State University, Sam Fuhlendorf, Oklahoma State University, John Weir, Oklahoma State University, Terry Bidwell, Oklahoma State University, Craig Davis, Oklahoma State University, Dwayne Elmore, Oklahoma State University, Leane Coppick, Oklahoma State University, Bob Hamilton, TNC Tallgrass Prairie Preserve, and Charlie Worthington, Marvin Klemme Range Research Station, Bessie, Oklahoma). What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Research projects addressed the three objectives proposed in the original proposal were completed: Objective 1. Assess the effectiveness of various management practices (e.g. herbicide, burning, mowing) on conversion of grasslands invaded by, or planted to, invasive species (e.g. Old World Bluestems, Sericea lespedeza). Objective 2. Identify mechanisms used by various invasive species (e.g. Old World Bluestems, Sericea lespedeza) to invade, successfully establish, and further spread in native grasslands to identify specific restoration practices necessary for successful conversion of invaded sites to native vegetation. Objective 3. One potential mechanism by which OWB invasion occurs is through seed dispersal and contribution of OWB seed to the seed bank of the neighboring rangeland. The goal of this objective is to quantify the soil seed bank in sites with varying abundances (invasions) of OWB. Our program was involved as one of the founding members in the development of the Oklahoma Invasive Plant Council (OkIPC), an organization whose goal is to facilitate efficient and effective management of invasive plants for the protection of the economic and natural resources of Oklahoma's private and public lands and waters. This organization is involved throughout Oklahoma in coordinating efforts in the battle against invasive species. Over the past year, OkIPC has continued the coordination and development of practices focused on the reporting of kudzu invasions in Oklahoma by promoting the communication among federal, state, and local officials. Over the past year we have directly increased the knowledge level of over 1200 resource professionals and land managers concerning the topic of invasive plant species versus noxious weeds, characteristics of invasive species, management practices to control invasive species, and alternative native species to use in their practice. Management of over 10,000 acres in OK has been altered as a result of this information.

Publications

  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2009 Citation: Van Els, P., R.E. Will, K.R. Hickman and M.W. Palmer. 2009. Changes in forest understory associated with Juniperus viginiana encroachment: The importance of leaf litter
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2009 Citation: Hickman, K.R., G.W.T. Wilson, S. Robertson, M.M. Williamson and S Grischkowsky, 2009. Restoration efforts in sites invaded by exotic grasses: Improved by native soil amendment.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2008 Citation: Sanchez-Munoz, A., M.H. Royo, A. Melgoza, S. Gonzalez, K.R. Hickman. 2008 Lehmann lovegrass population changes following a 20 year period on central rangelands in Chihuahua, Mexico. Society for Range Management Annual Meeting. Louisville, KY.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2008 Citation: Robertson, S., K.R. Hickman, C. Bensch, and K. Harmoney. 2008. Methods for controlling invasive Old World Bluestem. Society for Range Management Annual Meeting. Louisville, KY.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2008 Citation: Robertson, S., K.R. Hickman, C. Bensch, and K. Harmoney. 2008. Controlling Old World Bluestem, Bothriochloa ischaemum, with fire and herbicide. Joint meeting of the Oklahoma Sections of the Society for Range Management and The Wildlife Society. Lawton, OK
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2008 Citation: George, A.D., T.J. OConnell, K.R. Hickman, and D.M. Leslie Jr. 2008. Avian response to Old World Bluestem (Bothriochloa ischaemum) monocultures in mixed-grass prairie. Partners in Flight, 4th International Conference, McAllen, TX.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2008 Citation: George, A.D., T.J. OConnell, K.R. Hickman, and D.M. Leslie Jr. 2008. Avian response to Old World Bluestem (Bothriochloa ischaemum) monocultures in mixed-grass prairie. Joint Meeting of the Wilson Ornithological Society and American Ornithologists Union. Mobile, AL
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2008 Citation: George, A., T. OConnell, K. Hickman, and D. Leslie, Jr. 2008. Influence of Old World Bluestem Monocultures on breeding songbirds in mixed-grass prairie. Oral presentation. Annual meeting of the Oklahoma Ornithological Society, Tulsa, OK.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Robertson, S., K.R. Hickman, K.R. Harmoney, D.M. Leslie, Jr. 2013. Combining glyphosate with burning or mowing improves control of yellow bluestem (Bothriochloa iscahemum). Rangeland Ecology and Management 66:376-381.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: S. Robertson and K.R. Hickman. 2012. Aboveground plant community and seed bank composition along an Invasion gradient. Plant Ecology 213:1461-1475.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: Wilson, G.W.T., K.R. Hickman, M.M. Williamson. 2012. Invasive warm-season grasses reduce Mycorrhizal root colonization and biomass production of native prairie grasses. Mycorrhiza 22:327-336.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: Harmoney, K.R. and K.R. Hickman. 2012. Comparing morphological development and nutritive value of Caucasian old world bluestem and native grasses. Forage and Grazinglands (published online 27 Jan 2012).
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2009 Citation: K. R. Hickman, G.W.T. Wilson, and M. M. Williamson. 2009. Assessing Invasion Strategies by Old World Bluestem, an Invasive C4 Grass. Society for Range Management. Albuquerque, New Mexico. February, 2009.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2009 Citation: Wilson G.W.T., K.R. Hickman, and M.M. Williamson. 2009. Assessing Invasion Strategies by Old World Bluestem, an Invasive C4 Grass. NSF-LTER Workshop. Manhattan, KS. March, 2009
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2009 Citation: Hickman, K.R., G.W.T. Wilson, M.M. Williamson, *S. Robertson, and *S. Grischkowsky. 2009. Restoration efforts in sites invaded by exotic grasses: Improved by native soil amendment. Proceedings of the 94th Ecological Society of America annual meeting, Albuquerque, New Mexico. August, 2009
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2010 Citation: Harmoney, K.R., P. Stahlman, P. Geier, K.R. Hickman. 2010. Rate and timing of glyphosate application to control Caucasian Old World bluestem (Bothriochloa bladhii). Invasive Plant Science and Management. 3: 310-314
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2009 Citation: George, A.D., T.J. OConnell, K.R. Hickman and D.M Leslie, Jr. 2009. Influence of Old World Bluestem (Bothriochloa iscahemum) monoculture on breeding density of three grassland songbirds in Oklahoma. Proceedings of the Fourth International Partners in Flight Conference. Pages 691-697.
  • Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: Shubha Shrestha. Ph.D. 2012. Student. Oklahoma State University. Assessing plant-soil feedbacks following biological invasions: Implications for restoration.
  • Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Published Year Published: 2009 Citation: Valerie Cook. M.S. 2009. Oklahoma State University. Thesis Title: Fire, Browsing, and Deer Density in the Mixed-grass Prairie: Food Resources for Northern Bobwhites.
  • Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Published Year Published: 2009 Citation: Alfonso Sanchez-Munoz. Ph.D. 2009. Oklahoma State University. Dissertation Title: Invasive Lehmann Lovegrass (Eragrostis lehmanniana) in Chihuahua, Mexico: Consequences of Invasion.
  • Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Published Year Published: 2009 Citation: Scott Robertson. M.S. 2009. Oklahoma State University. Thesis Title: Herbicide Control and Seed Bank Dynamics of Old World Bluestem.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2010 Citation: van Els, P., R. E. Will, M. W. Palmer and K. R. Hickman. 2010. Changes in forest understory associated with Juniperus encroachment in Oklahoma, USA. Applied Vegetation Science 13: 356-368.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2009 Citation: Davis, C., J. Bidwell, K.R. Hickman. 2009. Effects of hydrological regimes on competitive interactions of Schoenoplectus fluviatilis and two co-occurring wetland plants. Aquatic Botany 91:267-272.
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2011 Citation: Blayr Beougher. M.S. 2011. Oklahoma State University. Creative Component: The Prairie Project website. http://theprairieproject.okstate.edu
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2010 Citation: Options for Expiring Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) (NREM-9016). D. Elmore, T.G. Bidwell, K.R. Hickman, R. Wanger. Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service Publication.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2010 Citation: Old World Bluestems are Invading the Central and Southern Great Plains. *M. Greer, G. Wilson, and K.R. Hickman. South Texas Natives Fall Newsletter: A publication of the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute at Texas A & M UniversityKingsville.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2009 Citation: Weed Control on Rangelands (NREM-2882). J. Weir, T.G. Bidwell, D. Elmore, K.R. Hickman, S.D. Fuhlendorf, D.M. Engle. Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service Publication.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Greer, M.J., G.W.T. Wilson, and K.R. Hickman. 2013. A story of chemical warfare in nature: new information on an invasive old world grass species. OSU Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Graduate Student Association Symposium. Stillwater, OK.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Greer, M.J., G.W.T. Wilson, K.R. Hickman, E.D. Grahmann, and F.S. Smith. 2013. Encroaching and invasive C4 grasses of south Texas associate with and potentially alter arbuscular nycorrhizal fungi communities: potential ecological game changers. Soil Ecological Society Annual meeting. Camden, NJ.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: E.B. Duell, G.W.T. Wilson, K.R. Hickman, M.J.Greer, and L.Coppick. 2013. Production and fitness of invasive grasses under climate change: feedback mechanisms for invasion? Soil Ecological Society Annual meeting. Camden, NJ.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Hickman, K.R. 2013. Invited Speaker. Oklahoma Invasive Plant Councils Dirty Dozen. 36th Annual Wildflower Workshop. Alva, OK.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Hickman, K.R., K.M. Crawford, and G.W.T. Wilson. 2013. Restoration in native-dominated versus invasive-dominated grasslands in North America. Society for Ecological Restoration 2013 World Conference on Ecological Restoration. Madison, WI.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2012 Citation: K.R. Hickman. 2012. Invited speaker. Go, Natives! Oklahoma Native Plant Society Indoor Outing. Non-native PlantsFriend or Foe? Oklahoma City, OK.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2012 Citation: K.R. Hickman. 2012. Invited speaker. Wichita State University. Department of Biology.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2012 Citation: K.R. Hickman. 2012. Invited speaker. Cross Timbers section of Oklahoma Native Plant Society spring meeting. Stillwater, OK.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2012 Citation: Shrestha S., K.R. Hickman, G.W.T. Wilson. 2012. Sericea lespedeza invasion: Plant-soil feedbacks. Poster presentation in Oklahoma Invasive Plant Council. Oklahoma City, OK.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2012 Citation: Shrestha S., K.R. Hickman, G.W.T. Wilson. Assessing plant-soil feedbacks following sericea lespedeza invasion. Oral presentation in OSU Research Symposium. Stillwater, OK
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2012 Citation: Cook-Fletcher, V., K.R. Hickman, B. Hamilton, S.D. Fuhlendorf, D.C. Cummings, and D.Engle. 2012 Invited Speaker. Altering the approach to sericea lespedeza management in tallgrass prairie. Joint Meeting of the Oklahoma Chapter of the Wildlife Society and Oklahoma Section of Society of Range Management, Pawhuska, OK
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2012 Citation: M. Noland, M.G. Greer, G.W.T. Wilson, and K.R. Hickman. 2012. Determining the effects of Old World Bluestem invasion on small mammal communities of North Central Oklahoma, USA. Third annual Oklahoma Invasive Plant Council Meeting, Oklahoma City, OK
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2012 Citation: Cook-Fletcher, V., K.R. Hickman, B. Hamilton, S.D. Fuhlendorf, D.C. Cummings, and D.Engle. 2012. Incorporating range management practices with chemical control in efforts to suppress Lespedeza cuneata in the tallgrass prairie. Joint Meeting of the Oklahoma Chapter of the Wildlife Society and Oklahoma Section of Society of Range Management, Pawhuska, OK. Oral Presentation. Student competition: 3rd place award.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2012 Citation: Lancaster, S., M.J. Greer, G.W.T. Wilson, and K.R. Hickman. 2012. Novel weapons: Do invasive grasses produce Allelopathic chemicals to inhibit native grass establishment, growth, and reproduction? Oklahoma Invasive Plant Council Meeting. Edmond, OK. July 2012. Poster presentation.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2012 Citation: Greer, M.J., M. Noland, K.R. Hickman and G.W.T. Wilson. 2012. Determining the effects of exotic warm-season grass invasion on small mammal communities of North Central Oklahoma. Joint Meeting of the Oklahoma Chapter of the Wildlife Society and Oklahoma Section of Society of Range Management, Pawhuska, OK. October 2012. Oral Presentation. Student competition: 1st place award.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2012 Citation: Greer, M.J., M. Noland, K.R. Hickman and G.W.T. Wilson. 2012. Determining the effects of exotic warm-season grass invasion on small mammal communities of North Central Oklahoma, USA. Oklahoma State University 9th Annual Biochemistry and Biology Graduate Student Association Research Symposium. September 2012. Oral presentation. Student competition: 2nd place award.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2012 Citation: Greer, M.J., G.W.T. Wilson, and K.R. Hickman. 2012. Assessing above- and belowground community composition following the establishment of a warm-season invasive grass: A look at individual plant responses the effects on soil. Oklahoma State University 9th Annual Biochemistry and Biology Graduate Student Association Research Symposium. September 2012. Poster presentation.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2012 Citation: K.R. Hickman. 2012. Invited speaker. Fort Hays State University. Department of Biological Sciences.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2012 Citation: Shrestha S., K.R. Hickman, G.W.T. Wilson. 2012. Assessing plant-soil feedbacks following biological invasions: Implications for restoration. Poster presentation in ESA Meeting. Portland, OR
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2012 Citation: Lancaster, S., M.J. Greer, G.W.T. Wilson, and K.R. Hickman. 2012. Novel weapons: Do invasive grasses produce Allelopathic chemicals to inhibit native grass establishment, growth, and reproduction? Oklahoma State University 9th Annual Biochemistry and Biology Graduate Student Association Research Symposium. September 2012. Poster presentation
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2012 Citation: Greer, M.J., G.W.T. Wilson, and K.R. Hickman. 2012. Assessing above- and belowground community composition following the establishment of a warm-season invasive grass: A look at individual plant responses and effects on soil. Ecological Society of America, Portland, OR, August 2012. Oral presentation
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2011 Citation: Invited speaker. G.W.T. Wilson, K.R. Hickman, and M.M. Williamson. 2011. Invasive species alter arbuscular mycorrhizal densities: Implications for restoration. Botanical Society of America. St. Louis, July 2011.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2011 Citation: M.G. Greer, G.W.T. Wilson, and K.R. Hickman. 2011. Assessing plant-soil feedbacks following the establishment of a warm-season invasive grass. 21st Annual Konza Prairie LTER Workshop, Manhattan, KS
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2011 Citation: M.G. Greer, G.W.T. Wilson, and K.R. Hickman. 2011. Do warm-season invasive grasses exhibit plant-soil feedbacks? The first step in restoration of native prairies in the central and southern Great Plains. 2011. Soil Ecology Society, Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada. Student presentation award Honorable Mention
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2011 Citation: S. Shrestha, K.R. Hickman, G.W.T. Wilson. 2011. Alterations in soil microbial communities following saltcedar invasion: Implications for restoration. Soil Ecology Society Meeting, Kelowna, B.C. Canada. YES
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2011 Citation: M.G. Greer, G.W.T. Wilson, and K.R. Hickman. 2011. Do warm-season invasive grasses exhibit plant-soil feedbacks? The first step in restoration of native prairies in the central and southern Great Plains. Third annual Oklahoma Invasive Plant Council Meeting, Oklahoma City, OK
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2011 Citation: M. Noland, M.G. Greer, G.W.T. Wilson, and K.R. Hickman. 2011. Determining the effects of Old World Bluestem invasion on small mammal communities of North Central Oklahoma, USA. Third annual Oklahoma Invasive Plant Council Meeting, Oklahoma City, OK.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2011 Citation: M.G. Greer, G.W.T. Wilson, and K.R. Hickman. 2011. Determining potential mechanisms of invasion: Evaluating plant-soil feedbacks in warm-season invasive grasses of the southern and central Great Plains, USA. Grasslands in a Global Context International Symposium, Manhattan, KS.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2011 Citation: S. Shrestha, K.R. Hickman, G.W.T. Wilson, M.M. Williamson. 2011. Assessing plant-soil feedbacks following saltcedar invasion. Poster presentation in Grasslands in a global context, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2011 Citation: S. Shrestha, K.R. Hickman, G.W.T. Wilson, M.M. Williamson. 2011. Assessing plant-soil feedbacks with biological invasions: Implications for restoration. Poster presentation at Oklahoma Invasive Plant Council, Oklahoma City
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2011 Citation: S. Shrestha, K.R. Hickman, G.W.T. Wilson, and M.M. Williamson. 2011. Alterations in soil microbial communities following saltcedar invasion: Implications for restoration. Poster presentation in Soil Ecology Society Meeting, The University of British Columbia, Okanagan, British Columbia
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2011 Citation: Williamson, M.M., G.W.T Wilson, K.R. Hickman, and S. Grischkowski. 2011. Conversion of Invaded Grassland Sites: Implications for Use of Native Soil Amendments. 21st Annual Konza Prairie LTER Workshop, Manhattan, KS. April, 2011. Oral presentation
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2010 Citation: C.A. Davis, J.R. Bidwell, K.R. Hickman, and A. Bishop. 2010. Role of landscape and local factors in the occurrence and dominance of cattail, river bulrush, and reed canary grass. Society for Wetland Science annual meeting
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2010 Citation: K.R. Hickman, G.W.T. Wilson, M.M Williamson, F. Smith. 2010. Encroaching and invasive C4 grasses alter soil biota: consequences for restoration. Proceedings of the 96th Ecological Society of America annual meeting, Pittsburg, PA.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2010 Citation: K.R. Hickman, T. Bidwell, D. Elmore. 2010. Identification and management of invasive plants in Oklahoma. Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service annual conference. Stillwater, OK.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2010 Citation: Cook, V. and K.R. Hickman. 2010. Controlling sericea lespedeza with patch burn grazing and spot-spraying. Oklahoma Invasive Plant Council meeting. Oklahoma City, OK.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2010 Citation: K.R. Hickman, G.W.T. Wilson, S. Robertson, M.M Williamson, and S. Gritzkowsky. 2010. The role of native soil amendment in restoration of southern mixed-grass prairie. Proceedings of the 96th Ecological Society of America annual meeting, Pittsburg, PA.


Progress 10/01/11 to 09/30/12

Outputs
OUTPUTS: During this reporting period, the primary focus of OKLO 2670 was the continuation of three Ph.D. student research projects: 1) Assess the effectiveness of patch-burn grazing in combination with spot-spraying to control sericea lespedeza; 2) Assess soil chemical changes occurring following removal (herbicide treatment) of salt cedar; and 3) Assess small mammal populations in native tallgrass prairie and Old World bluestem invaded tallgrass prairie. Additional outputs included 3 peer-reviewed publications, as well as organizing the Oklahoma Invasive Species Council annual meeting; holding stakeholder meetings concerning invasive species. Research results were presented at state, regional, and international meetings of the Oklahoma Invasive Plant Council, Society for Range Management (Spokane, WA), Ecological Society of America meeting (Portland, Oregon), OK Section of the Society for Range Management and OK Section of The Wildlife Society. PARTICIPANTS: Our additional funding partners include The Nature Conservancy (sub-contract through USDA-Conservation Innovation Grant funding), Department of Defense, and the Oklahoma Department of Transportation. A new collaborative relationship was established with colleagues at Indiana University (Jim Bever and Peggy Schultz) in which funding from the Department of Defense was obtained (5 years: $2,173,000; $961,000 to OSU).We have continued collaborative projects with South Texas Natives (Forrest Smith) and the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute. Our primary partner is the Oklahoma Invasive Plant Council, for which Hickman is past-president. The Council has members that include the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, The Nature Conservancy, the Oklahoma Biological Survey, University of Oklahoma, the Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts, the USDA-Natural Resource Conservation Service, Oklahoma Conservation Commission, Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts, Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry, the Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, Oklahoma Tourism and Parks, the Oklahoma Native Plant Society, the Oklahoma Water Resources Board, the Oklahoma Vegetation Management Association, Oklahoma Wheat Commission, Bureau of Indian Affairs, US Forest Service, and various members from Oklahoma State University. These agencies and groups are working together to address the issue of invasive plant species in Oklahoma. Other participants in OKLO 2670 include graduate students, private landowners, and managers who participated in, meetings, presentations, and collaborators (Gail W.T. Wilson, Natural Resource Ecology & Management, Oklahoma State University, Keith R. Harmoney, Kansas State University, Sam Fuhlendorf, Oklahoma State University, John Weir, Oklahoma State University, Terry Bidwell, Oklahoma State University, Craig Davis, Oklahoma State University, Dwayne Elmore, Oklahoma State University, Leane Coppick, Oklahoma State University, Bob Hamilton, TNC Tallgrass Prairie Preserve, and Charlie Worthington, Marvin Klemme Range Research Station, Bessie, Oklahoma). TARGET AUDIENCES: Public and Private Land managers in the Central and Southern Great Plains. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
The increased number of acres invaded by exotic plant species (e.g. grasses and legumes) throughout Oklahoma has been identified as a major threat to the state's natural resources. In addition, the absence of a centralized source of information concerning invasive species identification and management has hindered the ability of land managers to control invasive species on their land. Therefore, our program was involved as one of the founding members in the development of the Oklahoma Invasive Plant Council (OkIPC), an organization whose goal is to facilitate efficient and effective management of invasive plants for the protection of the economic and natural resources of Oklahoma's private and public lands and waters. This organization is involved throughout Oklahoma in coordinating efforts in the battle against invasive species. Over the past year, OkIPC has continued the coordination and development of practices focused on the reporting of kudzu invasions in Oklahoma by promoting the communication among federal, state, and local officials. Over the past year we have directly increased the knowledge level of over 1200 resource professionals and land managers concerning the topic of invasive plant species versus noxious weeds, characteristics of invasive species, management practices to control invasive species, and alternative native species to use in their practice. Management of over 10,000 acres in OK has been altered as a result of this information.

Publications

  • Robertson and Hickman. 2012. Aboveground plant community and seed bank composition along an invasion gradient. Plant Ecology 213:1461-1475.
  • Wilson, G.W.T., K.R. Hickman, and M. M. Williamson. 2012. Invasive warm-season grasses reduce mycorrhizal root colonization and biomass production of native prairie grasses. Mycorrhiza 22: 327-336. Harmoney and Hickman. 2012. Comparing morphological development and nutritive value of Caucasian old world bluestem and native grasses. Forage and Grazinglands (published online 27 Jan 2012).


Progress 10/01/10 to 09/30/11

Outputs
OUTPUTS: During this reporting period, the primary focus of OKLO 2670 was the continuation of three Ph.D. student research projects: 1) Assess the effectiveness of patch-burn grazing in combination with spot-spraying to control sericea lespedeza; 2) Assess soil chemical changes occurring following removal (herbicide treatment) of salt cedar; and 3) Assess small mammal populations in native tallgrass prairie and Old World bluestem invaded tallgrass prairie. Additional outputs included organizing and presenting at the Oklahoma State Senate's Invasive Species Task Force; conducting in-service training for new Oklahoma Extension Educators concerning invasive species; holding stakeholder meetings with the Bureau of Indian Affairs Southern Prairie Region. Research results were presented at the 2011 international meeting of the Soil Ecology Society (Kelowna, British Columbia), the International Grassland Symposium at Kansas State University, the Botanical Society of America, Oklahoma Invasive Plant Council, and the Society for Range Management (Billings, MT). We disseminated information from our research to legislators and other attendees at the Oklahoma Invasive Plant Council annual meeting. PARTICIPANTS: Our additional funding partners include The Nature Conservancy (sub contract through USDA-Conservation Innovation Grant funding) and the Oklahoma Department of Transportation. We have continued collaborative projects with South Texas Natives (Forrest Smith) and the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute. Our primary partner is the Oklahoma Invasive Plant Council, for which Hickman was President until July 2011 and is now past-president. The Council has members that include the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, The Nature Conservancy, the Oklahoma Biological Survey, University of Oklahoma, the Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts, the USDA-Natural Resource Conservation Service, Oklahoma Conservation Commission, Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts, Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry, the Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, Oklahoma Tourism and Parks, the Oklahoma Native Plant Society, the Oklahoma Water Resources Board, the Oklahoma Vegetation Management Association, Oklahoma Wheat Commission, Bureau of Indian Affairs, US Forest Service, and various members from Oklahoma State University. These agencies and groups are working together to address the issue of invasive plant species in Oklahoma. Other participants in OKLO 2670 include graduate students, private landowners, and managers who participated in, meetings, presentations, and collaborators (Gail W.T. Wilson, Natural Resource Ecology & Management, Oklahoma State University, Keith R. Harmoney, Kansas State University, Sam Fuhlendorf, Oklahoma State University, John Weir, Oklahoma State University, Terry Bidwell, Oklahoma State University, Craig Davis, Oklahoma State University, Dwayne Elmore, Oklahoma State University, Melinda Williamson, Oklahoma State University, Bob Hamilton, TNC Tallgrass Prairie Preserve, and Charlie Worthington, Marvin Klemme Range Research Station, Bessie, Oklahoma). TARGET AUDIENCES: Public and Private Land managers in the Central and Southern Great Plains PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.

Impacts
The increased number of acres invaded by exotic plant species (e.g. grasses and legumes) throughout Oklahoma has been identified as a major threat to the state's natural resources. In addition, the absence of a centralized source of information concerning invasive species identification and management has hindered the ability of land managers to control invasive species on their land. Therefore, our program was involved as one of the founding members in the development of the Oklahoma Invasive Plant Council (OkIPC), an organization whose goal is to facilitate efficient and effective management of invasive plants for the protection of the economic and natural resources of Oklahoma's private and public lands and waters. This organization is involved throughout Oklahoma in coordinating efforts in the battle against invasive species. Over the past year, OkIPC has continued the coordination and development of practices focused on the reporting of kudzu invasions in Oklahoma by promoting the communication among federal, state, and local officials. In addition, OkIPC officers, board members, and members were key contributors to the Oklahoma State Senate's Invasive Species hearing concerning invasive species in Oklahoma. Over the past year we have directly increased the knowledge level of over 800 resource professionals and land managers concerning the topic of invasive plant species versus noxious weeds, characteristics of invasive species, management practices to control invasive plant species, and alternative native species to use in their practice. During fall 2011, I offered an online course through the Grassland Ag-IDEA program, entitled "Ecology of Invasive Species". Graduate students and land managers from Colorado, Missouri, Kansas, South Dakota, and Oklahoma who took the course exhibited changes in their knowledge of invasive species and increased their involvement and interest in battling invasive species at the state level.

Publications

  • Derner, J.D., K.R. Hickman, and H.W. Polley. 2011. Decreasing precipitation variability does not elicit aboveground biomass or plant diversity responses in mesic rangeland. Rangeland Ecology & Management 64:352-357.
  • Wilson, G.W.T., K.R. Hickman, and M. M. Williamson. 2011. Invasive warm-season grasses reduce mycorrhizal root colonization and biomass production of native prairie grasses. Mycorrhiza DOI 10.1007/s00572-011-0407-x.
  • Bidwell, T.G., D. Elmore, and K.R. Hickman. 2011. Stocking Rate Determination on Native Rangeland. (NREM-2886). Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service Publication.


Progress 10/01/09 to 09/30/10

Outputs
OUTPUTS: During this reporting period, the primary focus of OKLO 2670 was the development and initiation of three new Ph.D. student research projects: 1) Assess the effectiveness of patch-burn grazing in combination with spot-spraying to control sericea lespedeza; 2) Assess soil chemical changes occurring following removal (herbicide treatment) of salt cedar; and 3) Assess small mammal populations in native tallgrass prairie and Old World bluestem invaded tallgrass prairie. Additional outputs included conducting in-service training for Oklahoma Extension Educators (Identification and Management of Invasive Plants in Oklahoma); key-note speaker at the Texas Section of The Wildlife Society meeting; stakeholder meetings with the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry, Oklahoma Farm Bureau, and the Oklahoma Department of Transportation; invited speaker on Global Invasive species issues in Agriculture Biosecurity and Forensics and the Oklahoma National Guard; and development of a SUNUP program on the invasive kudzu in Oklahoma. Research results were presented (oral presentation) at the 2010 international meeting of the Ecological Society of America. We disseminated information from our research to legislators and other attendees at the Oklahoma Invasive Plant Council annual meeting. Also during this period we developed management recommendations for Conservation Reserve Program fields that have been planted to exotic grasses within Oklahoma, New Mexico, Kansas, and Texas. Through our evaluation of management practices necessary for conversion of CRP fields planted to exotic grasses to native plant species, we recommended appropriate practices for conversion. The final product was a fact sheet for use in determining the appropriate conversion process for the CRP field and appropriate management following conversion to more suitable wildlife habitat. Research findings on identifying mechanisms used by Salt Cedar to invade and successfully establish along river corridors resulted in funding of an undergraduate Wentz Research project. PARTICIPANTS: Our additional funding partners include The Nature Conservancy (sub-contract through USDA-Conservation Innovation Grant funding) and the Oklahoma Department of Transportation. We have initiated collaborative projects with South Texas Natives (Forrest Smith) and the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute. Our primary partner is the Oklahoma Invasive Plant Council, for which Hickman is President. The Council has members that include the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, The Nature Conservancy, the Oklahoma Biological Survey, University of Oklahoma, the Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts, the USDA-Natural Resource Conservation Service, Oklahoma Conservation Commission, Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts, Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry, the Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, Oklahoma Tourism and Parks, the Oklahoma Native Plant Society, the Oklahoma Water Resources Board, the Oklahoma Vegetation Management Association, Oklahoma Wheat Commission, and various members from Oklahoma State University. These agencies and groups are working together to address the issue of invasive plant species in Oklahoma. Other participants in OKLO 2670 include graduate students, private landowners, and managers who participated in, meetings, presentations, and collaborators (Gail W.T. Wilson, Natural Resource Ecology & Management, Oklahoma State University, Keith R. Harmoney, Kansas State University, Sam Fuhlendorf, Oklahoma State University, John Weir, Oklahoma State University, Terry Bidwell, Oklahoma State University, Craig Davis, Oklahoma State University, Dwayne Elmore, Oklahoma State University, Melinda Williamson, Oklahoma State University, Bob Hamilton, TNC Tallgrass Prairie Preserve, and Charlie Worthington, Marvin Klemme Range Research Station, Bessie, Oklahoma) TARGET AUDIENCES: Public and Private Land managers in the Central and Southern Great Plains. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
The increased number of acres invaded by exotic plant species (e.g. grasses and legumes) throughout Oklahoma has been identified as a major threat to the state's natural resources. In addition, the absence of a centralized source of information concerning invasive species identification and management has hindered the ability of land managers to control invasive species on their land. Therefore, our program was involved as one of the founding members in the development of the Oklahoma Invasive Plant Council (OkIPC), an organization whose goal is to facilitate efficient and effective management of invasive plants for the protection of the economic and natural resources of Oklahoma's private and public lands and waters. This organization is involved throughout Oklahoma in coordinating efforts in the battle against invasive species. Over the past year, OkIPC has directly contributed to the coordination and development of practices focused on coordinating the reporting of kudzu invasions in Oklahoma by promoting the communication among federal, state, and local officials. In addition, we educated ODOT employees concerning the use of invasive species (trees) in roadside plantings. In addition, OkIPC officers, board members, and members were instrumental in the review of regulations developed by Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry for implementation of the Weed Free Hay Certification Act, as well as the passage of legislation for development of an Invasive Species Task Force for review of invasive species in Oklahoma. Over the past year we have directly increased the knowledge level of over 750 resource professionals and land managers concerning the topic of invasive plant species versus noxious weeds, characteristics of invasive species, management practices to control invasive plant species, and alternative native species to use in their practice. During fall 2009, we developed and offered an online course through the Grassland IDEA program, entitled "Ecology of Invasive Species". Graduate students and land managers from Wyoming, Kansas, Montana, South Dakota, and Oklahoma who took the course exhibited changes in their knowledge of invasive species and increased their involvement and interest in battling invasive species at the state level. Through our evaluation of management practices necessary for conversion of CRP fields planted to exotic grasses to native plant species, our recommendations (i.e. flow chart) were used as a decision guide by conservation planners for converting exotic grasses to native. In addition, our findings were included in a letter sent to USDA Farm Service Agency administrators recommending the development of a conservation practice for preserving CRP fields in the Lesser Prairie Chicken range (i.e. OK, TX, NM, KS, CO).

Publications

  • van Els, P., R. E. Will, M. W. Palmer and K. R. Hickman. 2010. Changes in forest understory associated with Juniperus encroachment in Oklahoma, USA. Applied Vegetation Science 13(3): 356-368.
  • Harmoney, K.R., P. Stahlman, P. Geier, K.R. Hickman. 2010. Rate and timing of glyphosate application to control Caucasian Old World bluestem (Bothriochloa bladhii). Invasive Plant Science and Management. 3:310-314.
  • Elmore, D., T.G. Bidwell, K.R. Hickman, R. Wanger. 2010. Options for Expiring Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) (NREM-9016). Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service Publication.
  • Weir, J., T.G. Bidwell, D. Elmore, K.R. Hickman, S.D. Fuhlendorf, D.M. Engle. 2010. Weed Control on Rangelands (NREM-2882). Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service Publication.


Progress 10/01/08 to 09/30/09

Outputs
OUTPUTS: During this reporting period, the primary focus of OKLO 2670 was to complete the data analysis on assessing the effectiveness of various management practices (e.g. herbicide, burning, mowing) on conversion of grasslands invaded by Old World Bluestems. Results were presented to public and private land managers at: the joint meeting of the Oklahoma Chapter of The Wildlife Society and the Oklahoma Section of the Society for Range Management; oral and poster presentations were given at the 2009 international meetings of the Society for Range Management and the Ecological Society of America. We were also invited to present our research findings on Old World Bluestem at the Texas A & M University - Kingsville (Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute), following which we were invited to participate as experts in exotic forage grasses during a brainstorming session with Caesar Kleberg researchers and south Texas stakeholders concerning the development of their research program on exotic grasses. We disseminated information from our research to landowners at the Osage Nation Landowners Symposium, land managers at the Oklahoma Vegetation Management Association annual meeting and a summer land management field day (totaling over 450 participants). Also during this period we developed management recommendations for Conservation Reserve Program fields that have been planted to exotic grasses within the Lesser Prairie Chicken range. Through our evaluation of management practices necessary for conversion of CRP fields planted to exotic grasses to native plant species, we recommended (and estimated costs) appropriate practices for conversion. The final product was a flow chart for use in determining the appropriate conversion process for the CRP field and appropriate management following conversion to more suitable LPC habitat. Research findings on identifying mechanisms used by Old World Bluestems to invade and successfully establish in native grasslands resulted in funding of an undergraduate Wentz Research project. PARTICIPANTS: Our additional funding partners include the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation and the Environmental Defense Fund. Our primary partner is the Oklahoma Invasive Plant Council, a new organization for which Hickman was a founding member and officer. The Council has members that include the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, The Nature Conservancy, the Oklahoma Biological Survey, University of Oklahoma, the Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts, the USDA-Natural Resource Conservation Service, Oklahoma Conservation Commission, Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts, Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry, the Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, Oklahoma Tourism and Parks, the Oklahoma Native Plant Society, the Oklahoma Water Resources Board, the Oklahoma Vegetation Management Association, Oklahoma Wheat Commission, and various members from Oklahoma State University. These agencies and groups are working together to address the issue of invasive plant species in Oklahoma. Other participants in OKLO 2670 include graduate students, private landowners, and managers who participated in field days, meetings, and presentations, and collaborators (Gail W.T. Wilson, Natural Resource Ecology & Management, Oklahoma State University, Keith R. Harmoney, Kansas State University, Sam Fuhlendorf, Oklahoma State University, Craig Davis, Oklahoma State University, Dwayne Elmore, Oklahoma State University, Melinda Williamson, Oklahoma State University, and Charlie Worthington, Marvin Klemme Range Research Station, Bessie, Oklahoma. Development of a new collaborative relationship with South Texas Natives (Forrest Smith) and the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute (Timothy Fulbright) has also occurred. TARGET AUDIENCES: Public and private land managers in the Central and Southern Great Plains. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
The increased number of acres invaded by exotic plant species (e.g. grasses and legumes) throughout Oklahoma has been identified as a major threat to the state's natural resources. In addition, the absence of a centralized source of information concerning invasive species identification and management has hindered the ability of land managers to control invasive species on their land. Therefore, our program was involved as one of the founding members in the development of the Oklahoma Invasive Plant Council (OkIPC), an organization whose goal is to facilitate efficient and effective management of invasive plants for the protection of the economic and natural resources of Oklahoma's private and public lands and waters. This organization is involved throughout Oklahoma in coordinating efforts in the battle against invasive species. Over the past year, OkIPC has directly contributed to the coordination and development of practices focused on increasing park visitors' knowledge and action in limiting the spread of invasive species in the state parks of Oklahoma (50 parks, more than 60,000 acres) and through development of a website (www.ok-invasive-plant-council.org) which will ultimately serve as the clearinghouse for information on invasive plant species in Oklahoma. In addition, OkIPC officers, board members, and members were instrumental in the passage of Oklahoma's Weed Free Hay Certification Act which went into effect during the fall of 2009. Over the past year we have directly increased the knowledge level of over 600 resource professionals and land managers concerning the topic of invasive plant species versus noxious weeds, characteristics of invasive species, management practices to control invasive plant species, and alternative native species to use in their practice. During 2009, we developed and offered an online course through the Grassland IDEA program, entitled "Ecology of Invasive Species". Graduate students and land managers from Wyoming, Kansas, Montana, South Dakota, and Oklahoma who took the course exhibited changes in their knowledge of invasive species and increased their involvement and interest in battling invasive species at the state level. Through our evaluation of management practices necessary for conversion of CRP fields planted to exotic grasses to native plant species, our recommendations (i.e. flow chart) were used as a decision guide by conservation planners for converting exotic grasses to native. In addition, our findings were included in a letter sent to USDA Farm Service Agency administrators recommending the development of a conservation practice for preserving CRP fields in the Lesser Prairie Chicken range (i.e. OK, TX, NM, KS, CO).

Publications

  • Craig A. Davis, Joseph R Bidwell, Karen R. Hickman. 2009. Effects of hydrological regimes on competitive interactions of Schoenoplectus fluviatilis and two co-occurring wetland plants. Aquatic Botany 91:267-272.
  • George, A., T. O'Connell, K.R. Hickman, and D. Leslie, Jr. 2009. Influence of Old World Bluestem (Bothriochloa ischaemum) monocultures on breeding density of three grassland songbirds in Oklahoma. Proceedings of the Fourth International Partners in Flight Conference.
  • Munoz, A.S. 2009. Plant community analysis, forage quality and production of Lehmann lovegrass (Eragrostis lehmanniana) in Chihuahua, Mexico. Ph.D. Dissertation.
  • Robertson, S.G. 2009. Herbicide control and seed bank dynamics of Old World Bluestem. M.S. Thesis.
  • George, A. 2009. Influence of Old World Bluestem monocultures on breeding and wintering birds in Oklahoma. M.S. Thesis.