Program Areas

1. Development of non-invasive sterile landscape plants.  A major task of the Center is to develop non-invasive cultivars for highly popular, but invasive ornamental plants so that these plants can be produced and sold without risk to the environment. A “super-sterile” technology (seedless and male-sterile) has been developed at UConn and will be used to modify invasive ornamental plants. Because of the “super-sterile” plants cannot produce seeds or viable pollen, these plants will not escape or spread into agricultural or natural areas. Traditional plant breeding methods will also be used to create sterile, fruitless triploid plants. Outcome:  Within the next several years the Center will produce commercially-useful sterile forms for a number of popular ornamental invasive plants (e.g., burning bush and Japanese barberry).
2. Assessment of the ecological impact of invasive plants and ecological evaluation of new “super-sterile” cultivars.  Research will be carried out to evaluate the performance of the sterile plants in the natural environment and determine ecological and environmental impacts of the “super-sterile” technology. Strategies for the early detection of potential invasive species in New England will be developed, in line with the priorities of the National Invasive Species Council (http://invasivespecies.gov/council/actionc.shtml).  There will be a modeling component to forecast which species are likely to become invasive and to what extent and where they are likely to spread across the landscape. Furthermore, a complementary program will assess the invasive potential of existing cultivars of ornamental species in the trade. Outcome: A rigorous method for evaluating the invasive potential of plants will be demonstrated and will enable informed decisions by our legislators
3. Assessment of the economic impact of invasive species in New England.  A research program will be developed to provide accurate assessments of the economic impacts of invasive plants.  Current published estimates of the costs of invasive plants to landowners, conservationists, and other stakeholders vary widely. One phase of the planned research will focus on using standard economic models to assess existing data and estimate the costs of invasive plants in the U.S. and New England in particular. An alternative approach using ecological economic models will be developed to assess costs in terms of ecosystems services valuation, system sustainability, etc. A third phase would focus on the impact of state and federal regulations on the Green Industry. Outcome: Accurate data for all economic aspects of invasive plants in New England will be used to head off economic losses and identify areas for future research emphasis by the Center.
4. Development of alternative native crops.  The Green Industry will face pressures to cease production of certain plants deemed to be highly invasive. The Center will evaluate and recommend native crops that will be viable alternatives to existing invasive ornamentals. The credibility of alternative crop recommendations will be enhanced by the findings of survey studies examining consumer preference for specific native crops. Outcome:  A significant number of the existing sales of invasive ornamentals would switch over to native alternatives within 5 to 7 years.
5. Public education and outreach.  An integral component of the program will focus on increasing public awareness of invasive plants and strategies for their early detection and eradication. Also, educational outreach will be conducted to inform the horticulture industry, other stakeholders, and the public about “super-sterile” cultivars of invasive ornamental plants and to promote the use of newly developed non-invasive cultivars as alternatives to invasive ornamental plants. Outcome:  Consumers will demand non-invasive characteristics in the plants they purchase. The industry will accept and sell the new non-invasive ornamentals developed by the Center. Local eradication efforts will combine to result in a decline in new invasives.