Faculty
Jodie S. Holt
Professor of Plant Physiology (Ph.D., 1982, University of California, Davis)
Office: 2133 Batchelor Hall
Office phone: (951) 827-3801
E-mail:jodie.holt@ucr.edu Department of Botany and Plant Sciences
For more information, please visit: Jodie Holt's Laboratory on Weed Ecology
Research conducted in the Holt laboratory focuses on population and physiological ecology of weedy and invasive plant species in wildlands and agricultural ecosystems and the application of that knowledge to management. Currently we are investigating invasion of riparian habitats by Arundo donax, giant reed, with a focus on the habitat factors that promote invasion and replacement of native species by A. donax and the impacts of this species on native communities. We are also addressing ecological approaches for A. donax removal and restoration of native riparian species that prevent reinvasion. Another major focus is the potential risk of spread of Pennisetum setaceum, fountaingrass, in the southwest, where it is both a horticultural landscape plant and a newly introduced weed. Our research focuses on predictions of suitable habitats for spread and potential impacts on native species. We are also studying the genetic relationship of horticultural and weedy types to determine the potential role of horticultural use in invasion. Some Representative Publications:
Marushia, R. G., M. W. Cadotte, and J. S. Holt. 2010. Phenology as a basis for management of exotic annual plants in desert invasions. Journal of Applied ecology 47:1290-1299.
Quinn, L. D. and J. S. Holt. 2009. Restoration for resistance to invasion by giant reed (Arundo donax). Invasive Plant Science and Management 2:279-291.
Baucom, R. S. and J. S. Holt. 2009. Weeds of agricultural importance: bridging the gap between evolutionary ecology and crop and weed science. New Phytologist 184: 741-743.
Quinn, L.D., Holt, J.S. 2008. Ecological correlates of invasion by Arundo donax in three southern California riparian habitats. Biol. Invas. Vol. 10: p.591-601. (Refereed)
Marushia, R.G., Holt, J.S. 2008. Reproductive strategy of an invasive thistle: Effects of adults on seedling survival. Biol. Invas. Vol. 10: p.913-924. (Refereed, Invited)
Radosevich, S. R., J. S. Holt, and C. M. Ghersa. 2007. Ecology of Weeds and Invasive Plants: Relationship to Agriculture and Natural Resource Management, 3rd Edition. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Quinn, L. D., M. A. Rauterkus, and J. S. Holt. 2007. Effects of nitrogen enrichment and competition on growth and spread of giant reed (Arundo donax). Weed Science 55: 319-326.
Burger, J. C., J. S. Holt, and N. C. Ellstrand. 2007. Rapid phenotypic divergence of feral rye from domesticated cereal rye. Weed Science 55: 204-211.
Marushia, R. G. and J. S. Holt. 2006. The effects of habitat on dispersal patterns of an invasive thistle, Cynara cardunculus. Biological Invasions 8: 577-593.
White, V. A. and J. S. Holt. 2005. Competition of artichoke thistle (Cynara cardunculus) with native and exotic grassland species. Weed Science 53: 826-833.
Decruyenaere, J. G. and J. S. Holt. 2005. Ramet demography of a clonal invader, Arundo donax (Poaceae), in Southern California. Plant and Soil 277: 41-52.
Current Teaching
BPSC/BIOL 104, Foundations of Plant Biology.
Current Laboratory Personnel
Dr. Rana Tayyar, Staff Research Associate
Lynn Sweet, Graduate Student Researcher
Kai Palenscar, Graduate Student Researcher
Dr. Virginia White, Associate in the Experiment Station