Invasive species are a pressing ecological and management problem. Native communities may be irrevocably changed due to the presence of an invasive species. Phylogenetically novel species may be more invasive than species with a congener present in the native community over some range of novelty. We see this trend in the flora of Tyson Research Center. However, the mechanisms that lead to this greater invasiveness are unknown.

My research looks at the effects of competitor removal and herbivore removal on phylogenetically novel species and species with a congener present in the native community. We predict that phylogenetically novel species will be less responsive to these changes than species with a congener present in the native community. We also predict that phylogenetically novel species would show greater allelopathy than species with a congener present in the native community.

If the mechanisms behind the comparatively greater invasiveness of phylogenetically novel species can be identified, then it may be possible to more effectively manage and control these invader species.