Establishing Research and Management Priorities for Invasive Water Primroses (Ludwigia spp.)
Abstract
Creeping water primroses and water primrose-willows are among the most aggressive aquatic invasive plant invaders in the world. These aquatic Ludwigia species can impart severe ecological, economic, and human health impacts in aquatic ecosystems and threaten critical ecosystem functions. The authors expect these impacts to increase with greater global trade and projected climate change. This technical report presents an overview of the biology and ecology of these invasive plant species, along with select management case studies and research efforts. While the need for management approaches has become an important topic, little is known about the distribution of Ludwigia species and how they respond to varying environmental conditions in the U.S. Life history strategies and responses to environmental conditions vary among water primrose species. Therefore, species-specific management approaches may be required, and prevention and control strategies should be customized to the specific phase of the local invasion. This information is important for predicting further spread. Likewise, it is the foundation for risk assessments and effective management. This technical report proposes research priorities to improve understanding of the complexity of the biology and ecological invasion process of water primroses, and it provides resource managers with substantive recommendations for how to prevent and prioritize management of these aquatic weeds.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 2016
- Accession Number
- AD1002917
Entities
People
- Brenda J. Grewell
- Meghan J. Skaer-thomason
- Michael D. Netherland
Organizations
- University of California, Davis