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Medusahead Ecology and Management: California Annual Grasslands to the Intermountain West

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Title Medusahead Ecology and Management: California Annual Grasslands to the Intermountain West
Names Nafus, Aleta M. (creator)
Davies, Kirk W. (creator)
Date Issued 2014-04 (iso8601)
Note To the best of our knowledge, one or more authors of this paper were federal employees when contributing to this work. This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by the Weed Science Society of America and can be found at: http://www.bioone.org/loi/ipsm.
Abstract The spread of medusahead across the western United States has severe implications for a wide range of ecosystem
services. Medusahead invasion reduces biodiversity, wildlife habitat and forage production, and often leads to
increased fire frequency and restoration costs. Medusahead is problematic in the Intermountain West and California
Annual Grasslands. The last review of medusahead ecology and management was completed 20 years ago. Since the
last review, there have been scientific advances in medusahead management suggesting a significant need to develop
an up-to-date synthesis. Medusahead continues to pose a serious threat to rangeland ecosystems. In this synthesis, we
present new information regarding the ecology of medusahead, suggest a framework for managing medusahead
based on invasion level, and identify research needs to further improve management of this invasive annual grass.
Success of different management practices varies between the Intermountain West and California Annual
Grasslands, signifying that the best management practices are those specifically tailored with consideration of
climate, soil, plant community characteristics, and management objectives. Prevention and control treatments that
are useful in the Intermountain West may not be practical or effective in the California Annual Grasslands and
vice-versa.
Genre Article
Topic control
Identifier Nafus, A. M., & Davies, K. W. (2014). Medusahead ecology and management: California annual grasslands to the intermountain west. Invasive Plant Science and Management, 7(2), 210-221. doi:10.1614/IPSM-D-13-00077.1

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