The 2012 ASHS Annual Conference

Objective(s):
Provide ASHS membership with varying perspectives on invasive plant issue including experts in plant breeding, landscape ecology, nursery production, and exotic plant management.

Globalization of the world economy continues to cause concern over introduction of invasive species, including plants, which are likely to cause harm or economic harm to natural areas or human health.  This is especially relevant to horticultural industries, in particular ornamental plant production, that rely heavily on production of non-native plants and importing new taxa to generate continued interest and plant sales.  In this complex web of consumer demand, plant breeding and introduction, and globalization of human societies along with their pests and plants, it is unclear where the responsibility lies for introducing, monitoring, and controlling the spread of invasive species.  The issue is complex and involves a variety of sectors including plant breeders that make new introductions, landscape ecologists that monitor native habitats, non-government organizations that often act as proponents of “native only” plantings, the nursery industry, and government departments that develop legislation and regulation concerning invasive plants.  The objective of this workshop is to unite experts with backgrounds in plant breeding, plant production, landscape ecology, native habitat protection and restoration to provide ASHS membership with all the unique, and sometimes overlapping, perspectives on how society and science may respond to the threat of invasive plants.