{"id":333,"date":"2025-10-21T17:11:03","date_gmt":"2025-10-21T17:11:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev.www.purdue.edu\/fnr\/nrsa-lab\/?page_id=333"},"modified":"2026-04-10T00:53:07","modified_gmt":"2026-04-10T00:53:07","slug":"invasion-biology","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/fnr\/nrsa-lab\/invasion-biology\/","title":{"rendered":"Invasion Biology"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n \n\n
\n
\n

Invasion Biology<\/h1>\n\n\n
\n
\n \n\n
\n
\n

Non-native species continue to establish and spread in forest ecosystems across the United States, altering species composition, disrupting nutrient cycles, and causing measurable losses in forest biomass and carbon storage. Our research uses continental-scale inventory data, spatial analysis, and predictive modeling to quantify invasion patterns, identify mechanisms of establishment and spread, and develop tools to support early detection and management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Key questions driving this work include: What traits predict which species become invasive? Where are invasion hotspots, and how are they shifting over time? How much ecological damage \u2014 in terms of tree mortality, biomass loss, and carbon flux \u2014 can be attributed to non-native pests at national scales? We also develop and maintain the most comprehensive invasive plant and forest pest databases for the contiguous U.S., which serve as open-access resources for researchers and managers nationwide.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"A<\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Active Grants:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n