The Next Wave of Invasive Plants in Oklahoma: Ecosystem Threats and Management Tactics

Abstract

The Oklahoma Invasive Plant Council has identified twelve invasive plants which are already established and causing problems in Oklahoma as “The Dirty Dozen.” While these plants continue to cause problems for natural and artificial systems throughout the state, conservation attention is now being focused on “Watch List” plants. “Watch List” plants have potential to disrupt ecosystem function, but are not currently considered to be so widespread that prevention is impossible. Students in Terrestrial Ecology at Southwestern Oklahoma State University investigated fifteen of these “Watch List” plants and categorized them based on the problems they cause to ecosystem services and the strategies suggested for monitoring and managing population spread.