This book is a compendium of the current knowledge on the invasive plant, giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) that spread from Caucasus across Europe, creating serious problems displacing and overtaking native plants. Topics covered include: taxonomy, genetics, reproductive ecology, and invasion dynamics at regional and local scales. Intended for students, researchers and practitioners in agriculture, conservation, weed science and plant ecology, this book also reviews the possibilities of mechanical, chemical and biological control, and control by grazing.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Preface : All You Ever Wanted to Know About Hogweed, but Were Afraid to Ask! / David M. Richardson -- Taxonomy, Identification, Genetic Relationships and Distribution of Large Heracleum Species in Europe / S̆árka Jahodová, Lars Fröberg, Petr Pys̆ek, Dmitry Geltman, Sviatlana Trybush and Angela Karp -- Heracleum mantegazzianum in its Primary Distribution Range of the Western Greater Caucasus / Annette Otte, R. Lutz Eckstein and Jan Thiele -- Historical Dynamics of Heracleum mantegazzianum Invasion at Regional and Local Scales / Petr Pys̆ek, Jana Müllerová and Vojtĕch Jaros̆ík -- Reproductive Ecology of Heracleum mantegazzianum / Irena Perglová, Jan Pergl and Petr Pys̆ek -- Seed Germination, Dispersal and Seed Bank in Heracleum mantegazzianum / Lenka Moravcová, Petr Pys̆ek, Lukás̆ Krinke, Jan Pergl, Irena Perglová and Ken Thompson -- Population Dynamics of Heracleum mantegazzianum / Jan Pergl, Jörg Hüls, Irena Perglová, R. Lutz Eckstein, Petr Pys̆ek and Annette Otte -- Regeneration Ability of Heracleum mantegazzianum and Implications for Control / Petr Pys̆ek, Irena Perglová, Lukás̆ Krinke, Vojtĕch Jaros̆ík, Jan Pergl and Lenka Moravcová -- Ecological Needs, Habitat Preferences and Plant Communities Invaded by Heracleum mantegazzianum / Jan Thiele, Annette Otte and R. Lutz Eckstein -- Impact of Heracleum mantegazzianum on Invaded Vegetation and Human Activities / Jan Thiele and Annette Otte -- Seed Ecology of Heracleum mantegazzianum and H. sosnowskyi, Two Invasive Species with Different Distributions in Europe / Lenka Moravcová, Zigmantas Gudz̆inskas, Petr Pys̆ek, Jan Pergl and Irena Perglová -- Herbivorous Arthropods on Heracleum mantegazzianum in its Native and Invaded Distribution Range / Steen O. Hansen, Jan Hattendorf, Charlotte Nielsen, Ruediger Wittenberg and Wolfgang Nentwig -- Fungal Pathogens Associated with Heracleum mantegazzianum in its Native and Invaded Distribution Range / Marion K. Seier and Harry C. Evans -- Defence Systems of Heracleum mantegazzianum / Jan Hattendorf, Steen O. Hansen and Wolfgang Nentwig -- Mechanical and Chemical Control of Heracleum mantegazzianum and H. sosnowskyi / Charlotte Nielsen, Ineta Vanaga, Olga Treikale and Ilze Priekule -- Control of Heracleum mantegazzianum by Grazing / Rita Merete Buttenschøn and Charlotte Nielsen -- The Scope for Biological Control of Giant Hogweed, Heracleum mantegazzianum / Matthew J.W. Cock and Marion K. Seier -- Revegetation as a Part of an Integrated Management Strategy for Large Heracleum species / Hans Peter Ravn, Olga Treikale, Ineta Vanaga and Ilze Priekule -- Model-assisted Evaluation of Control Strategies for Heracleum mantegazzianum / Nana Nehrbass and Eckart Winkler -- Master of All Traits : Can We Successfully Fight Giant Hogweed? / Petr Pys̆ek, Matthew J.W. Cock, Wolfgang Nentwig and Hans Peter Ravn.

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Title from PDF title page (viewed August 23, 2013).