ibclogo XVI International Botanical Congess


Abstract Number: 3136
Session = 16.16.7


INTRODUCTION OF AN ALIEN PLANT INTO ITS NATURALIZED RANGES: BROMUS TECTORUM (CHEATGRASS)


Stephen J. Novak and Richard N. Mack, Boise State University and Washington State University


Bromus tectorum (cheatgrass) is native to Eurasia and now possesses a world-wide distribution within temperate grasslands. Our analysis of 164 populations suggests that multiple introductions of B. tectorum have occurred in North America, and throughout its other ranges. Separate introduction events into eastern and western North America appear to have occurred, although our data also suggest that this species may have spread westward across the continent with settlers. Throughout its naturalized ranges, the source populations of B. tectorum appear to have been drawn from the western Mediterranean and central Europe. The introduction dynamics of this species around the world are very similar and indicate that the global movement of B. tectorum occurs in conjunction with European emigration.


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