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Medusahead Ecology and Management: California Annual Grasslands to the Intermountain West

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Aleta M. Nafus  and
Kirk W. Davies
Aleta M. Nafus*
Affiliation:
Department Animal and Rangeland Science, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 97331
Kirk W. Davies
Affiliation:
United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service at the Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center, 67826-A Hwy 205, Burns, OR 97720
*
Corresponding author's E-mail: Aleta.Nafus@oregonstate.edu
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Abstract

The spread of medusahead across the western United States has severe implications for a wide range of ecosystem services. Medusahead invasion reduces biodiversity, wildlife habitat and forage production, and often leads to increased fire frequency and restoration costs. Medusahead is problematic in the Intermountain West and California Annual Grasslands. The last review of medusahead ecology and management was completed 20 years ago. Since the last review, there have been scientific advances in medusahead management suggesting a significant need to develop an up-to-date synthesis. Medusahead continues to pose a serious threat to rangeland ecosystems. In this synthesis, we present new information regarding the ecology of medusahead, suggest a framework for managing medusahead based on invasion level, and identify research needs to further improve management of this invasive annual grass. Success of different management practices varies between the Intermountain West and California Annual Grasslands, signifying that the best management practices are those specifically tailored with consideration of climate, soil, plant community characteristics, and management objectives. Prevention and control treatments that are useful in the Intermountain West may not be practical or effective in the California Annual Grasslands and vice-versa.

Keywords

Medusahead, Taeniatherum caput-medusae (L.) NevskiELYCMControlexotic annual grassinvasive plant preventionrestorationrevegetation
Type
Research Article
Information
Invasive Plant Science and Management , Volume 7 , Issue 2 , June 2014 , pp. 210 - 221
Copyright
Copyright © Weed Science Society of America 

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