Invasive species | Department of Plant Sciences

Valerie Eviner, Plant Sciences Professor, Selected as a Community Engaged Learning (CEL) Faculty Fellow

by Ann Filmer
January 15, 2020

Awards and rankings

Valerie Eviner is a Community Engaged Learning Faculty Fellow at UC Davis. A professor of Ecosystem Management and Restoration, Department of Plant Sciences, she works in collaboration with land managers to address ecological understanding, and challenges in ecosystem management.

A severe infestation of yellow starthistle in Calaveras County.

Release of Weevil for Biological Control of Yellow Starthistle

by Ann Filmer
September 25, 2019

Weeds

The USDA will allow the release of a weevil (Ceratapion basicorne) in the United States to help control yellow starthistle, an invasive weed found in 40 of the lower 48 states. The weevils will initially be released in California. Brad Hanson, weed specialist in Plant Sciences, addresses management of yellow starthistle.

Broomrape Eradication is High Priority for UC Researchers

by Ann Filmer
August 14, 2019

Weeds

Control of branched broomrape, a parasitic weed that can badly infest tomato and other crop fields, was addressed by UC Davis, UC ANR researchers — Brad Hanson, Mohsen Mesgaran, and Matt Fatino — at the annual Weed Day field day at UC Davis.

A strip of grassland seeded with native perennials, with expectation that the native perennials will eventually move into the non-seeded areas.

Strip Seeding California Grasslands to Restore Native Perennials and Improve Ecosystem Services (Video)

by Ann Filmer
August 07, 2019

Restoration

Strip seeding California grasslands to restore native perennial grasses that have been lost by exotic species is being tried as a less-expensive restoration method to improve ecosystem services. Emilio Laca, Department of Plant Sciences, is featured in this video, along with California agency partners and grassland owners.