Novel Approaches to Invasive Annual Grass Management: Assessing Efficacy and Impacts on Target Species and Plant Diversity

作者：Erin B. Teichroew, Jane M. Mangold, Lilly Sencenbaugh, Lisa J. Rew · 发表于：Applied Vegetation Science · 年份：2026 · DOI：10.1111/avsc.70068 · 被引用次数：1 · 研究领域：Rangeland and Wildlife Management、Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies、Weed Control and Herbicide Applications

ABSTRACT Aims The management of invasive species is a global concern that requires a paradigm shift away from only assessing control efficacy to also including impacts to the diversity of the surrounding plant community. Many rangelands in the western United States are invaded by annual grasses like Bromus tectorum (cheatgrass). Current management of invasive annual grasses (IAGs) relies heavily on herbicides and their efficacy in targeting IAGs. However, this approach often does not consider the response of the surrounding plant community. Evaluations of alternative management options and the efficacy of all approaches on target and desired vegetation are needed. We assessed four management options and a restoration seeding split treatment to control B. tectorum and restore the desired plant community. Location Semi‐arid grasslands, southwestern Montana, United States. Methods We monitored vegetation for three growing seasons after management treatment application (non‐treated control, mustard seed meal (MSM), NutraFix, and indaziflam) and restoration seeding (native grasses) with spatial (3) and temporal (2) replication, assessing changes in B. tectorum cover, species richness, alpha and beta diversity, and rank abundance. Results The MSM provided control for 1 year but also reduced species richness, and B. tectorum was highly dominant 2 and 3 years after treatment. NutraFix provided control for 2 years and had no meaningful impacts on species richness or alpha diversity. I...