Cooperative Agreement for affiliated Partner with the Great Plains Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit

style="margin-left:0in;">Invasive plants harm ecosystems and economies by reducing native biodiversity and altering native communities. However, scientists still do not fully understand why invasive species cause severe impacts in some places but not others. This project examines how drought, temperature, rainfall, wildfire, and land management practices (such as hay harvesting) influence the spread and ecological impacts of two invasive species in Oklahoma –the invasive grass King Ranch bluestem and eastern red cedar. The research will leverage existing long-term field experiments, regional plant distribution data, and environmental scenarios to predict where these invasive species may become most problematic under future conditions. King Ranch bluestem and dense stands of eastern red cedar have been linked to the rapid spread of wildfires. 

This work supports the goals of EO 14239 - Achieving Efficiency Through State and Local Preparedness (March 19, 2025); EO 14308 -Empowering Commonsense Wildfire Prevention and Response (June 12, 2025) by improving invasive species hazard mitigation for state and local practitioners, as the work addresses the elevated fire risk posed by these invasive species. This work also supports EO 14313 -Establishing the President's Make America Beautiful Again Commission (July 3, 2025 ) by advancing science-informed conservation of natural resources and strengthening the capacity of agencies and communities to safeguard vulnerable ecosystems from biological degradation, in addition to EO 14303 -Restoring Gold Standard Science (May 23, 2025) and SO 3441-Implementing the Requirements of Executive Order 14303, Restoring Gold Standard Science (August 29, 2025 ) by contributing to American leadership in adaptation science.