The Midwest Invasive Plant Network (MIPN) would like your help to evaluate research priorties and foster interactions between researchers and land managers working on invasive plants.

If you work on invasive plant issues in the Midwest, please click on this link to complete the Midwest Invasive Plant Network (MIPN) survey on research needs for invasive plants:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=37222162906

MIPN is composed of people from government agencies, universities, industry, non-profit organizations, and the general public who are working to address the threats of invasive plants in the Midwest. Results of this survey will be used to help direct our activities , focus research, and strengthen the community of people working together to reduce the impact of invasive plants.

Thank you for help,

John Cardina, Ohio State University & Chair of the MIPN Research Committee

Kate Howe, Coordinator for the Midwest Invasive Plant Network

Results of the MIPN Research Needs Survey, October 2007 (PDF)

See the link below for an article from the Columbus Dispatch about invasive plants in Ohio.  The article highlights the Ohio Invasive Plants Council and includes a quote from John Cardina, Chair of the MIPN Research Committee.

http://www.dispatch.com/homegarden/homegarden.php?story=dispatch/2006/03/26/20060326-I1-02.html

Recent Studies:

Cattail Sleuths:  Using Forensic Techniques to Better Understand the Spread of an Invasive Species in Wetlands

All cattails are not created equal. In fact, there is mounting evidence to suggest that the rapid spread of cattails (Typha spp.) in the national parks of Great Lakes Region is due, at least in part, to the introduction of a European invader. A study examined the prevalence of hybrids in three Great Lakes national parks representing multiple habitat types, and the relationship between clone size and hybrid status in newly invaded areas. Bottom line - it appears the cattails in these sites are an aggressive 'hybrid swarm' between the native broad-leaved cattail (Typha latifolia) and European narrow-leaved cattail (T. angustifolia).
Click here to download the study "Cattail Sleuths" (Word file)

Abstract Only

Typha angustifolia - photo provided by Botanical Department, University of Catania, Italy www.dipbot.unict.it/ tnatura/Simeto/SIM_PALU.html

A database will be posted soon which will provide information on research being conducted in the Midwest on invasive plants.

Research Links:

Purdue Weed Science Site, Purdue University, Agronomy Department

http://www.btny.purdue.edu/weedscience/

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Weed Science Site

http://weeds.cropsci.uiuc.edu/

Southern Illinois University Carbondale Weed Science Site

http://www.siu.edu/%7Eweeds/

Ohio State University, Weed Science, Research, and Extension Weed Workshop Site

http://www.oardc.ohio-state.edu/weedworkshop/#

Iowa State University Weed Science Research Program

http://www.weeds.iastate.edu/research/default.htm

University of Wisconsin Weed Science Site

http://ipcm.wisc.edu/uw_weeds/

Ecological Society of America (ESA) - Postition Paper on Biological Invasions

The Ecological Society of America (ESA) just released a very detailed
and well-supported "Position Paper on Biological Invasions" that gives a
great overview of the invasives issue, the science of  predictive risk
analysis, and a vision of where U.S. policy can go (with political
will), noting "recent developments provide a strong basis for rapid
implementation of cost-effective solutions."  However, the ESA paper
underscores the pressing need for well-organized efforts "to pressure
the federal government to more effectively manage this threat."

www.esa.org/pao/esaPositions

You can down load both the pdf of the paper and the PowerPoint
presentations by co-authors David Lodge, Dick Mack, and Susan Williams
for the press conference the ESA did for the release