Seminar: Population ecology of perennial bunchgrasses in restoration and management contexts

Abstract:

Identifying and understanding the processes regulating populations can inform management practices. In this talk, I will present some of my work on native perennial bunchgrass populations in restored longleaf pine savannas and on the invasive perennial bunchgrass, buffelgrass (Pennisetum ciliare) in the Sonoran Desert. In restored longleaf pine savanna habitat, establishing native perennial bunchgrass populations is essential for ecosystem management via prescribed fire. I studied spatial pattern formation in bunchgrasses to elucidate processes regulating newly established perennial bunchgrass populations in longleaf pine savannas. Invasion of Sonoran Desert habitat by buffelgrass threatens native flora and fauna and presents a phenomenal management challenge. I have modeled population growth rates of buffelgrass and examined the effect of topography on buffelgrass vital rates to help inform management practices.

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