Application of a spatial meta-population model with stochastic parameters to the management of the invasive grass Nassella trichotoma in North Canterbury, New Zealand

Alex James, Richard Brown, Britta Basse, Graeme W. Bourdôt, Shona L. Lamoureaux, Mick Roberts and David J. Saville

Ecological Modelling, 2011, vol. 222, issue 4, 1030-1037

Abstract: Optimising the management of invasive plants requires the identification of the population size outcomes for alternative management strategies. Mathematical models can be useful tools for making such management strategy comparisons. In this paper we develop a generic landscape meta-population model and apply it to the weedy grass, Nassella trichotoma, an invasive species occupying approximately 800 land parcels, predominantly pastoral farms, in the Hurunui district, North Canterbury, New Zealand. Empirical evidence reveals that this meta-population is currently stable (at a median density of 6plantsha−1) under a community strategy requiring manual removal (termed ‘grubbing’) of plants annually from all land parcels. Reduction in population size requires an alternative management strategy. Field data, collected over a 12 year period, were used to provide stochastic parameter values for land parcel size, carrying capacity, rates of local population growth and grubbing.

Keywords: Dispersal; Mathematical model; Nassella tussock; Population growth; Serrated tussock; Weed control (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2011
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:ecomod:v:222:y:2011:i:4:p:1030-1037

DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2010.11.031

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