Dear Ecologgers, We are recruiting new members to join our growing globally distributed experiment to study the ecological impacts of invasive plants. We have developed a flexible protocol adaptable to most systems. We have members in several countries working on a variety of species. The Global Invader Impact Network (GIIN) is encouraging new members to expand our network. The protocol is simple and relatively inexpensive.
We have a paper in press that details GIIN and the protocol. Basic requirements include comparing plots inside an invasion to an adjacent uninvaded area (that has never been invaded, but is susceptible to invasion). Additional plots include removing the invader (but this is optional). Thus, we can compare invaded, uninvaded, and invader removal plots. We record basic plant community and soil metrics, with additional optional metrics. Some additional details can be found at http://weedeco.ppws.vt.edu/giin/ <http://weedeco.ppws.vt.edu/giin/> Purpose: - Quantify broad ecological impacts of invasive plant by implementing a globally distributed experiment requiring minimal investment of resources by each network participant. - Collect data from a broad range of species, systems, and geographies in a consistent manner to identify trends or idiosyncratic patterns of ecological impact. Objectives/Questions: 1. Identify the ecological impact(s) of invasive populations across diverse ecosystems, species, and geographies; 2. Determine if impacts are consistent (or idiosyncratic) among species and systems; 3. Determine if impacts are constant over time? 4. Identify if a legacy of ecological impacts exists, and is this legacy consistent among species and systems? If you are interested in joining please contact me and I can send you the protocol and additional details. Cheers, Jacob Barney, PhD Assistant Professor of Invasive Plant Ecology Department of Plant Pathology, Physiology, and Weed Science Virginia Tech 435 Old Glade Rd (0330) Blacksburg, VA 24061 540.231.6323 [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> http://weedeco.ppws.vt.edu <http://weedeco.ppws.vt.edu/> @jnbarney Jacob Barney, PhD Assistant Professor of Invasive Plant Ecology Department of Plant Pathology, Physiology, and Weed Science Virginia Tech 435 Old Glade Rd (0330) Blacksburg, VA 24061 540.231.6323 [email protected] http://weedeco.ppws.vt.edu @jnbarney
