The National Association of
Invasive Plant Councils (NAIPC) invites you to a FREE invasive plant webinar on
November 12, 3 pm Eastern Time:
CORRELATION BETWEEN THE PREDICTED RISK AND INVASION
STATUS OF NON-NATIVE VINE SPECIES IN FLORIDA
Doria R. Gordon. The
Nature Conservancy and Department of Biology, PO Box 118526, University of
Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, 352-392-5949, dgordon@tnc.org;
Deah M. Lieurance, Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants, PO Box
110500, University of Florida/IFAS, Gainesville, FL 32611, 352-294-1580, dmlieurance@gmail.com; and S. Luke
Flory, Agronomy Department, PO Box 110500, University of Florida/IFAS,
Gainesville, FL 32611, 352-231-2376, flory@ufl.edu.
Abstract:
The pattern that vines have a particularly high probability
of invasion in new habitats relative to other plant growth forms is of concern
in Florida, where at least 86 climbing vine species have been introduced. We
evaluated whether predicted invasion risk matches actual invasion status in
Florida’s natural areas for these vine species. The predictive weed risk
assessment (WRA) tool used was the Australian WRA modified for Florida, which
has been demonstrated to have over 90% accuracy in predicting Florida’s
terrestrial plant invaders. Actual invasion status was assessed using the
University of Florida’s Assessment of Non-native Species in Florida’s
Natural Areas and herbarium records. The WRA predicted
that over 70% of the species have a high probability of invasion. The longevity
of species presence in the flora significantly influenced the accuracy of this
prediction. The documented accuracy of the WRA tool suggests that the number of
invasive vine species in Florida is likely to increase. Early control and
prevention efforts for high invasion risk species may be warranted to avoid
ecological impacts to Florida’s natural areas.
