Impact of Biological Control on Two Knapweed Species in British Columbia
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.22230/jem.2012v13n3a136Keywords:
knapweed, Centaurea, biological control, monitoring, British ColumbiaAbstract
Diffuse and spotted knapweed (Centaurea diffusa Lam and C. stoebe L.) are two closely related invasives found in many parts of British Columbia’s Southern Interior, causing substantial economic losses in rangelands. Beginning in 1970, the provincial government initiated a long-term biological control effort against the knapweeds, introducing 10 different insect agents from 1970 to 1987. In an effort to evaluate the efficacy of the program, archival (1983–2008) data was amassed from 19 vegetation monitoring sites that contained knapweed. In 2010, these sites were relocated and re-monitored and cover values were analyzed. Diffuse knapweed showed significant declines at 14 of 15 sites; spotted knapweed declined at three of four sites. Possible alternative explanations for the decline are discussed. Evidence strongly points to a suite of biocontrol agents (seed feeders and root feeders) as the primary drivers of knapweed decline in British Columbia’s Southern Interior.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Authors and the owners of copyright in the works will be required to either assign copyright, agree to co-own copyright, or assign a publication license in any works approved for publication by the Journal of Ecosystems and Management.
Please complete the Copyright Release Form and return it to the Managing Editor.