Common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.) is an invasive species that causes allergies in 10-20 per cent of humans and thus presents a significant public health challenge. This study’s physiological model performs well, with the plant’s potential distribution corresponding with GBIF-mediated occurrences in both the native North American range and the invasive range in Europe. However, the model also predicts a much larger potential range for ragweed than currently observed, in part due to improved estimates on the amount and timing of pollen release.
Distribution of Ragweed
Common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.) is an invasive species that causes allergies in 10-20 per cent of humans and thus presents a significant public health challenge.
Ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) by Ron Thomas licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
Leiblein-Wild MC, Steinkamp J, Hickler T and Tackenberg O (2015) Modelling the potential distribution, net primary production and phenology of common ragweed with a physiological model. Journal of Biogeography. Wiley-Blackwell 43(3): 544–554. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1111/jbi.12646.