Towards species specific management of invasive hawkweeds in British Columbia:Quantifying distributions, modeling potential invasion extent, and investigating genetic-morphometriccongruence

The species of European hawkweeds present in British Columbia are aggressive and ecologically

detrimental invaders of meadows, parks, agricultural lands and rangelands. Left unmanaged, these

species could cost the province of British Columbia upwards of $60 million in economic losses by

2020. The Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations (MoFLNRO) is responsible

for addressing invasive plant species on Crown land. This collaborative project between the

MoFLNRO and UBC Okanagan will clarify the distributions and invasion extent of each hawkweed

species present in east-central British Columbia in order to inform management of these species. We

will use these data to predict, using Ecological Niche Models, areas of the province vulnerable to

invasion by these species. We also will determine if the current morphology-based identification

system is effective for on-site differentiation of these species. This research project will directly

inform and improve the effectiveness of managing these invasive weed species

Faculty Supervisor:

Jason Pither

Student:

Partner:

Forestry BC (Prince George)

Discipline:

Earth science

Sector:

University:

University of British Columbia - Okanagan

Program:

Accelerate

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