Cool Season Invasive Grasses in Northern Great Plains Natural Areas

Land cover changes associated with recent energy development in the Williston Basin; Northern Great Plains, USA

“…Although some of the affected area will be reclaimed, revegetation of grassland environments can result in enhanced recruitment of non-native species compared to native species (Maron et al, 2012) and increased non-native species richness and cover were observed in areas disturbed from energy development in the Williston Basin (Preston, 2015) and the Powder River Basin of Wyoming (Bergquist et al, 2007). The establishment of non-native species in disturbed areas can then act as a source of propagules for non-native species to establish in undisturbed areas (D'Antonio et al, 2001) and the invasion of non-native species is a main driver in the loss of biodiversity observed in the Great Plains (DeKeyser et al, 2013). Furthermore, energy development has been shown to reduce abundance (Kalyn Bogard and Davis, 2014) and reproductive success (Ludlow et al, 2015) for certain grassland bird species and habitat fragmentation from energy development has been implicated in the decline of greater sage grouse (e.g.…”

“…Furthermore, even in unbroken (i.e. never tilled) grasslands, there have been large declines in native species richness and invasions of non-native grasses that now comprise a large portion of the prairie biomass (DeKeyser et al, 2013). Historically, the main drivers of land cover change and biodiversity loss in the Great Plains have been grassland conversion and the introduction of non-native species; however, the effects of energy development are becoming increasingly important (McDonald et al, 2009).…”

Bromus inermis and Elymus canadensis but not Poa pratensis demonstrate strong competitive effects and all benefit from priority

“…All of our study species benefited from priority. These two invasive species (B. inermis and P. pratensis) account for more than 60 % of the non-native cover in many remnant prairie patches (Cully et al 2003), and alter the ecosystem structure and function of the remnants (DeKeyser et al 2013). Understanding the mechanisms by which these two species invade may help control established populations and prevent further invasion.…”

Extent of Kentucky Bluegrass and Its Effect on Native Plant Species Diversity and Ecosystem Services in the Northern Great Plains of the United States

“…The invasion and expansion of Kentucky bluegrass in the Northern Great Plains has contributed to a decrease in native prairie biotic integrity and plant diversity (Cully et al 2003;DeKeyser et al 2009;Miles and Knops 2009a) and has altered plant community structure and function (DeKeyser et al 2013;Miles and Knops 2009a). Kentucky bluegrass has become dominant at landscape scales in many areas.…”