The 24th Annual Kling L. Anderson Lecture - March 25

Unraveling the Success of Old-World Bluestems:

Ecological Mechanisms of an Invasive Grass

Dr. Karen Hickman

Professor and Director, Environmental Science Program

Ferguson College of Agriculture

Oklahoma State University

Old World Bluestems (OWBs) have a complex history in the central and southern Great Plains, where they have been widely planted for livestock forage, hay production, and conservation programs (e.g., the Conservation Reserve Program). However, they have also emerged as aggressive invaders of native grasslands. This lecture will explore the ecological mechanisms behind the success of OWBs as invasive species, focusing on commonly introduced species such as yellow bluestem (Bothriochloa ischaemum, also known as WW Iron Master), King Ranch bluestem (Bothriochloa ischaemum var. songarica), and Caucasian bluestem (Bothriochloa bladhii, also known as B. Dahl).

The presentation will examine the dual role of OWBs in agriculture and conservation, their early widespread promotion and continued use, and the key traits that contribute to their invasive potential. Research conducted since the late 1990s has documented their ecological impacts on native plant communities, birds, mammals, and arthropods, providing insight into the long-term consequences of OWB invasion. Finally, strategies for managing and mitigating their spread will be considered.