Poa pratensis invasion in the northern Plains of the United States of America: Landowner perceptions and potential restoration options

Authors: Toledo, David; RAJALA, KIANDRA - Us Fish And Wildlife Service; SORICE, MICHAEL - Virginia Tech

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/19/2023
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Grasslands in the northern Great Plains have been invaded by Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.), which is a cool-season grass. The extent of invasion varies from non-invasion to areas completely invaded. Future weather predictions estimate that growing season precipitation will decrease while the temperature will increase. These weather patterns will affect native plant species diversity and ecosystem services, especially in areas that are fully invaded. We report on socio-ecological research aimed at determining landowner perceptions about invasive grasses and their management intention to reduce/control them, and on field experiments aimed at determining the best management alternatives that landowners would be willing to implement. For the social component of this research, we used a factorial survey experiment with multiple vignettes that randomly varied based on how a novel grass species expanding in rangelands would affect provisioning services (season of forage availability, forage quality, forage quantity), regulating services (floral resources for pollinators, water infiltration, and availability), and supporting services (grassland bird diversity, grass diversity). For the field experiment, we compared prescribed fire, fire and grazing, multi-specie grazing, and mob grazing as ways to reduce invasive species. Results suggest that ecological losses may need to be severe before individual landowners in the US northern Great Plains change their management practices to reduce/control the species. Fire and mob grazing offer alternatives to reducing Kentucky bluegrass but there are pros and cons to each. We discuss how awareness, engagement, and extension efforts that take into account the social and ecological components of this issue can help prevent and reduce invasives from northern Great Plains grasslands.