Title: California invasive plant research needs assessment
Abstract: This project summarizes the opinion of 52
experts on the future research needs in the area of invasive plants in
California. Experts included academics at private and public universities,
Cooperative Extension educators, land managers, members of nongovernmental
organizations (NGOs), employees of restoration companies, and federal, state,
and local agency personnel. Surveys were conducted through in-person interviews,
written questionnaires, and workshops. The objective was to identify
high-priority needs for future research on issues related to invasive plants in
California's wildlands. More specifically, the goals were to (1) create a forum
for assessing high-priority research needs, (2) guide future research toward
these high-priority needs, and (3) facilitate connections and interactions among
academic disciplines and between researchers and practitioners by increasing
awareness of the range of ongoing research on invasive plants. Priority needs
were chosen for 10 broad research topic areas, with specific subtopics addressed
within each of these areas. In addition to noting specific research areas, there
was a general need expressed for a synthesis of existing scientific information,
particularly about the biology and ecology of invasive plants and the ecological
impacts, control and management tools, restoration activities, and related
social issues surrounding invasive plants. A mutual exchange of information was
also considered important among the academic researcher and the field
practitioner, as was the development of more effective training programs for
land managers. [Ramona Robison, Steve Schoenig, Douglas W. Johnson, Elizabeth
Brusati, & Joseph M. DiTomaso (2010). California invasive plant
research needs assessment. Invasive Plant Science and Management
3(4):470-481.doi: 10.1614/IPSM-D-09-00018.1]
Keywords: Survey, research assessment, invasive plants,
weeds, California