Document: KAT-3-37-3

Life history models for the invasive species Carduus nutans (nodding thistle) in Australia.

SHEA, K.* 1,2, T.WOODBURN 2 and A.SHEPPARD 2

University of California, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA 1
CSIRO Entomology, GPO Box 1700, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia 2

Abstract:
The invasive species Carduus nutans (nodding thistle) is a noxious weed in Australia. We present a seasonal, individual-based model for nodding thistle. The model structure and parameters are based on data from a long-term field study of mapped individuals. We use this model to ask what life history properties make nodding thistle a successful invader, and hence what we can do to manage it. The results of our simulations indicate that individual variability, in particular in growth rates, strongly increases population persistence. We also found that persistence is affected more strongly by survivorship and adult growth than by germination or fecundity rates. We use this information, and further simulations, to develop an optimal integrated management strategy involving both biological control and grazing.

Keywords: invasive species, individual-based models, life history

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This abstract is being presented at: 1:15 PM in session:
Oral Session #33: Plant Demography.