Assessment of Non-Native Invasive Plant Species on the United States Department of Energy Oak Ridge National Environmental Research Park

Invasive non-native species are important because of the potential negative ecological and economic effects that they have. Because of the number and variety of invasive species, it is important to prioritize them in terms of their presence in and their potential impacts on natural ecosystems. At least 167 non-native, invasive plant species occur on the United States Department of Energy Oak Ridge National Environmental Research Park, Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Our objective was to assess the distribution, abundance, impact, and potential for control of 18 of the most abundant invasive species on the Research Park. In 2000, we conducted field surveys of 16 Research Park management areas to acquire qualitative and quantitative data on the distribution and abundance of these taxa. Survey results were used to rank the relative importance of these species using a quantitative ranking system developed by the United States Geological Survey. Microstegium vimineum, Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica), and Chinese privet (Ligustrum sinense) were ranked first, second, and third-most problematic, respectively. Other non-native, invasive species, in decreasing rank order, included kudzu (Pueraria lobata), multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora), and Chinese lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata). Results can be used to prioritize management and research activities related to these invasive taxa on the Research Park.