Chinese Tallow Research Articles

Growth and Stem Profiles of Invasive Triadica sebifera in the Mississippi Coast of the United States

Growth and Stem Profiles of Invasive <i>Triadica sebifera</i> in the Mississippi Coast of the United States

JOHN BRADBY BLAKE, THE CHINESE TALLOW TREE AND THE INFRASTRUCTURE OF BOTANICAL EXPERIMENTATION

Recent studies of the spread of the invasive Chinese tallow tree, , Triadica sebifera (L.) Small, downplay the role of the dissemination of seeds in the 18th century compared with the impact of 20th century state‐sponsored agriculture. But the long‐term development of Chinese, then European and American botanical knowledge, even in cases like the tallow tree, can be shown to have enabled and legitimized ecological expansion and large scale environmental experimentation. John Bradby Blake, who obtained, experimented with, described and illustrated tallow tree seed in the 1770s, played an important role in the dissemination of tallow trees to the southeastern American colonies, the British Caribbean and northeast India.

Managing an Established Tree Invader: Developing Control Methods for Chinese Tallow (Triadica sebifera) in Maritime Forests

Biological invasions by woody species in forested ecosystems can have significant impacts on forest management and conservation. We designed and tested several management options based on the physiology of Chinese tallow (Triadica sebifera [L.] Small). Specifically, we tested four treatments, including mastication, foliar herbicide, and fire (MHfolF), mastication and foliar herbicide (MHfol), dormant-stem herbicide and fire (HdorF), and dormant-stem herbicide (Hdor), to determine their efficacy in reducing the density and regeneration of this highly invasive tree species. Mastication treatments were significant in reducing density the first year but not after 3 years. Prescribed fire significantly reduced density combined with previous treatments. Regeneration coverage was highest on those sites with mastication, which was not affected by the addition of prescribed fire. Overall, we found that the most comprehensive treatment (MHfolF) was more effective in reducing density but did not result in a difference in the amount of regeneration after treatment.

Effects of Long-Term Manual Invasive Plant Removal on Forest Understory Composition

ABSTRACT: Removal of invasive species is a common management goal to maintain native species composition and wildlife habitat. Due to the time and effort necessary to remove invasive species, it is important to clearly understand the benefits that will be gained through removal and what methods will best achieve those results. This study evaluated the response of native plant understory communities to the removal of invasive species that fell into a range of functional groups including perennial herbs (Microstegium vimineum, Liriope muscari), vines (Lonicera japonica, Lygodium japonicum, Hedra helix), shrubs (Ligustrum sinense), and trees (Albizia julibrissin, Triadica sebifera). Eight invasive plant species were removed from twenty-seven 1-m2 plots for 8 y in an upland mixed hardwood—pine and riverine woodland within the Ocmulgee National Monument, Macon, Georgia. Species richness, herbaceous cover, and woody species number was measured 2 y before removal and each year during removal. Mechanical removal ...

Impact of Field Densities of the Naturalized Defoliator Caloptilia triadicae (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) on the Invasive Weed Chinese Tallowtree.

Chinese tallowtree, Triadica sebifera (L.) Small (Euphoriaceae), is one of the most aggressive weeds of coastal wetlands and forests of the southeastern United States. The lack of specialist herbivores in the invaded range may be one of the factors that contribute to the invasive nature of this weed. Chinese tallowtree has been the target of a classical biological control project since 2006. Several herbivore species are being tested for biological control of Chinese tallowtree. Concurrently, an adventive herbivore, Caloptilia triadicae Davis (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae), was found feeding on Chinese tallowtree in the southeastern United States in 2004 and now occurs throughout the invaded range. Field populations of C. triadicae from two sites caused extensive mining damage to the Chinese tallowtree leaves. The greatest damage occurred after 30 d of exposure to C. triadicae in the herbivory treatment and amounted to about 25-30 leaf mines (early instars) and leaf rolls (late instars) per plant. Insecticide-treated plants had atmost 5-10 leaf mines and rolls per plant. Despite this difference, plant growth in height, number of new branches, and leaves did not differ significantly from plants protected from herbivory. Analysis of harvested plant results suggested that, in general, herbivory had little impact on biomass. However, there was a slight reduction in trunk weights in the unrestriced herbivory treatment compared with the insecticide-treated plants. Although this study exposed experimental plants to only 60 d of herbivory, these results suggested that C. triadicae alone will not exert sufficient control of invasive populations of Chinese tallowtree. Furthermore, they indicated that continued development of biological control agents that target Chinese tallowtree are needed.

Continuous microwave-assisted in-situ transesterification of lipids in seeds of invasive Chinese tallow trees (Triadica sebifera L.): Kinetic and thermodynamic studies

Continuous in-situ transesterification of Chinese tallow tree seeds into methyl esters using a resonant focusing cavity microwave coupled with a CSTR system was investigated. High production yield of 90% with 97% conversion rate was obtained in 24 min CSTR residence time at a methanol/hexane/Chinese tallow tree seed mass ratio of 47.5:39.3:20, a continuous microwave heating power of 290 W and 14 s exposure time, reaction temperature of 60 °C in presence of sodium hydroxide catalyst (4 g NaOH per 100 g oil). The experimental data fits first order reaction kinetics. The values of rate constants at different temperatures and the corresponding activation energy were found out to be 0.08–0.084 min−1 and 2057.4 J mol−1, respectively. Thermodynamic parameters values such as Gibbs free energy (ΔG), enthalpy (ΔH) and entropy of activation (ΔS) were also determined. The positive values of ΔG and small negative value of ΔH indicated that the reaction has an unspontaneous/endergonic nature and is slightly exothermic.

Mechanisms of Chinese tallow (Triadica sebifera) invasion and their management implications – A review

Abstract Ecosystems are under increasing stress from environmental change, including invasion by non-native species that can disrupt ecological processes and functions. Chinese tallow [Triadica sebifera (L.) Small] is a highly invasive tree species in southeastern US forests, prairies, and wetlands, and effectively managing this invasive species is a significant challenge for scientists and land managers. In this review, we synthesize the literature on invasion ecology and management of Chinese tallow. Our review suggests that the invaded range of Chinese tallow is currently limited by dispersal in many areas and by low temperatures and low soil moisture, and by high soil salinity and frequent flooding in others, but these barriers may be overcome by increased dispersal, phenotypic plasticity, and/or rapid evolution. Invasions by Chinese tallow are facilitated by both the invasiveness of the species and the invasibility of the recipient communities. Invasiveness of Chinese tallow has been attributed to fast growth, high fecundity, a persistent seed bank, aggressive resprouting, abiotic stress tolerance, and the ability to transform fire maintained ecosystems. Some of these traits may be enhanced in invasive populations. Anthropogenic and natural disturbances, lack of herbivore pressure, and facilitation by soil microbes enhance the intensity of Chinese tallow invasions. Biological control of Chinese tallow is being developed. Treatments such as herbicides, prescribed fire, and mechanical control can effectively control Chinese tallow at the local scale. A combination of these treatments improves results. However, a proactive management approach would simultaneously achieve invasion control and promote subsequent ecological restoration, especially in the context of legacy effects, secondary invasions, and/or variable ecosystem responses to different control treatments. Future research should clarify the roles of species invasiveness and community invasibility, increase our understanding of the effects of Chinese tallow in invaded communities, and develop viable management regimes that are effective in both controlling or reducing the probability of Chinese tallow invasion and restoring desired native communities.

Comparative Lipidomics and Proteomics of Lipid Droplets in the Mesocarp and Seed Tissues of Chinese Tallow (Triadica sebifera).

Lipid droplets (LDs) are composed of a monolayer of phospholipids (PLs), surrounding a core of non-polar lipids that consist mostly of triacylglycerols (TAGs) and to a lesser extent diacylglycerols. In this study, lipidome analysis illustrated striking differences in non-polar lipids and PL species between LDs derived from Triadica sebifera seed kernels and mesocarp. In mesocarp LDs, the most abundant species of TAG contained one C18:1 and two C16:0 and fatty acids, while TAGs containing three C18 fatty acids with higher level of unsaturation were dominant in the seed kernel LDs. This reflects the distinct differences in fatty acid composition of mesocarp (palmitate-rich) and seed-derived oil (α-linoleneate-rich) in T. sebifera. Major PLs in seed LDs were found to be rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, in contrast to those with relatively shorter carbon chain and lower level of unsaturation in mesocarp LDs. The LD proteome analysis in T. sebifera identified 207 proteins from mesocarp, and 54 proteins from seed kernel, which belong to various functional classes including lipid metabolism, transcription and translation, trafficking and transport, cytoskeleton, chaperones, and signal transduction. Oleosin and lipid droplets associated proteins (LDAP) were found to be the predominant proteins associated with LDs in seed and mesocarp tissues, respectively. We also show that LDs appear to be in close proximity to a number of organelles including the endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, peroxisomes, and Golgi apparatus. This comparative study between seed and mesocarp LDs may shed some light on the structure of plant LDs and improve our understanding of their functionality and cellular metabolic networks in oleaginous plant tissues.

The prioritisation of a short list of alien plants for risk analysis within the framework of the Regulation (EU) No. 1143/2014

Thirty-seven alien plant species, pre-identified by horizon scanning exercises were prioritised for pest risk analysis (PRA) using a modified version of the EPPO Prioritisation Process designed to be compliant with the EU Regulation 1143/2014. In Stage 1, species were categorised into one of four lists – a Residual List, EU List of Minor Concern, EU Observation List and the EU List of Invasive Alien Plants. Only those species included in the latter proceeded to the risk management stage where their priority for PRA was assessed. Due to medium or high spread potential coupled with high impacts twenty-two species were included in the EU List of Invasive Alien Plants and proceeded to Stage 2. Four species (Ambrosia trifida, Egeria densa, Fallopia baldschuanica and Oxalis pes-caprae) were assigned to the EU Observation List due to moderate or low impacts. Albizia lebbeck, Clematis terniflora, Euonymus japonicus, Lonicera morrowii, Prunus campanulata and Rubus rosifolius were assigned to the residual list due to a current lack of information on impacts. Similarly, Cornus sericea and Hydrilla verticillata were assigned to the Residual List due to unclear taxonomy and uncertainty in native status, respectively. Chromolaena odorata, Cryptostegia grandiflora and Sphagneticola trilobata were assigned to the Residual List as it is unlikely they will establish in the Union under current climatic conditions. In the risk management stage, Euonymus fortunei, Ligustrum sinense and Lonicera maackii were considered a low priority for PRA as they do not exhibit invasive tendencies despite being widely cultivated in the EU over several decades. Nineteen species were identified as having a high priority for a PRA (Acacia dealbata, Ambrosia confertiflora, Andropogon virginicus, Cardiospermum grandiflorum, Celastrus orbiculatus, Cinnamomum camphora, Cortaderia jubata, Ehrharta calycina, Gymnocoronis spilanthoides, Hakea sericea, Humulus scandens, Hygrophila polysperma, Lespedeza cuneata, Lygodium japonicum, Pennisetum setaceum, Prosopis juliflora, Sapium sebiferum, Pistia stratiotes and Salvinia molesta).

Chinese tallow (Triadica sebifera) invasion in maritime forests: The role of anthropogenic disturbance and its management implication

Land-use and forest management practices may facilitate the invasion success of non-native plants in forests. In this study, we tested if agricultural land abandonment and subsequent forest management contributed to the invasion success of Chinese tallow (Triadica sebifera (L.) Small) in the maritime forest of Parris Island, SC. We compared the abundance of Chinese tallow between disturbed and remnant forests, described Chinese tallow establishment patterns in relation to forest management activities, and characterized the structure and composition of disturbed and remnant forests in order to better understand relationships between stand characteristics and invasibility as indicated by Chinese tallow abundance. We found that stands in agricultural land use in 1939 but reforested with slash pine (Pinus elliottii Englem.) since the 1970s (i.e., disturbed forests) had significantly more Chinese tallow stems than stands that remained forested since 1939 (i.e., remnant forests). Remnant forests had significantly greater woody species richness and were more variable in species composition and structure than disturbed forests. Disturbed forests were dominated by early successional, shade intolerant species with a denser woody understory, while remnant forests included species associated with late successional habitats. The number of forest management events was positively associated with Chinese tallow abundance, explaining 34% of the total variation in stem density. Chinese tallow individuals commonly established immediately after forest thinning and their numbers increased exponentially through time. Our findings support that Chinese tallow establishment was strongly related to anthropogenic disturbance including historical agricultural land-use and forest management. This suggests that Chinese tallow invasion may be a symptom, rather than the driver, of the ecological degradation induced by persistent human perturbations.

Selection of Suitable Reference Genes for Quantitative Real-time PCR in Sapium sebiferum.

Chinese tallow (Sapium sebiferum L.) is a promising landscape and bioenergy plant. Measuring gene expression by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) can provide valuable information on gene function. Stably expressed reference genes for normalization are a prerequisite for ensuring the accuracy of the target gene expression level among different samples. However, the reference genes in Chinese tallow have not been systematically validated. In this study, 12 candidate reference genes (18S, GAPDH, UBQ, RPS15, SAND, TIP41, 60S, ACT7, PDF2, APT, TBP, and TUB) were investigated with qRT-PCR in 18 samples, including those from different tissues, from plants treated with sucrose and cold stresses. The data were calculated with four common algorithms, geNorm, BestKeeper, NormFinder, and the delta cycle threshold (ΔCt). TIP41 and GAPDH were the most stable for the tissue-specific experiment, GAPDH and 60S for cold treatment, and GAPDH and UBQ for sucrose stresses, while the least stable genes were 60S, TIP41, and 18S respectively. The comprehensive results showed APT, GAPDH, and UBQ to be the top-ranked stable genes across all the samples. The stability of 60S was the lowest during all experiments. These selected reference genes were further validated by comparing the expression profiles of the chalcone synthase gene in Chinese tallow in different samples. The results will help to improve the accuracy of gene expression studies in Chinese tallow.

Quarantine host range of Bikasha collaris, a potential biological control agent of Chinese tallowtree (Triadica sebifera) in North America

AbstractChinese tallowtree, Triadica sebifera (L.) Small (Euphorbiaceae), is one of the worst invasive weeds of the southeastern USA impacting coastal wetlands, forests, and natural areas. Traditional mechanical and chemical controls have been unable to limit the spread, and this invasive species continues to expand its range. A proposed biological control candidate, the flea beetle Bikasha collaris (Baly) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), shows high specificity for the target weed Chinese tallowtree. Results from a series of no‐choice and choice feeding tests of B. collaris adults and larvae indicated that this flea beetle was highly specific to Chinese tallowtree. The larvae of B. collaris feed by tunneling in the roots, whereas the adults feed on the leaves of Chinese tallowtree. A total of 77 plant taxa, primarily from members of the tallow plant family Euphorbiaceae, were tested in numerous test designs. Larval no‐choice tests indicated that larvae completed development only on two of the non‐target taxa. Of 80 B. collaris larvae fed roots of Hippomane mancinella L. and 50 larvae fed roots of Ricinus communis L., two and three larvae completed development, respectively. The emerging adults of these five larvae died within 3 days without reproducing. Larval choice tests also indicated little use of these non‐target taxa. Adult no‐choice tests indicated little leaf damage by B. collaris on the non‐targets except for Ditrysinia fruticosa (Bartram) Govaerts &amp; Frodin and Gymnanthes lucida Sw. When given a choice, however, B. collaris adults consumed much less of the non‐targets D. fruticosa (7.4%) and G. lucida (6.1%) compared with the control leaves. Finally, no‐choice oviposition tests indicated that no eggs were produced when adults were fed all non‐target taxa, except those fed G. lucida. These B. collaris adults fed G. lucida leaves produced an average of 4.6 eggs compared with 115.0 eggs per female when fed Chinese tallowtree. The eggs produced from adults fed G. lucida were either inviable or the emerging larvae died within 1 day. These results indicate that the flea beetle B. collaris was unable to complete its life cycle on any of the non‐target taxa tested. If approved for field release, B. collaris will be the first biological control agent deployed against Chinese tallowtree in the USA. This flea beetle may play an important role in suppressing Chinese tallowtree and contribute to the integrated control of this invasive weed.

Effects of flash scheme on maximum chlorophyll fluorescence under illumination and its derived parameters

The maximum chlorophyll fluorescence yield under illumination (Fm') is one of the most important parameters in plant eco-physiological research, and usually was estimated with rectangular flush scheme (RF). However, the estimation accuracy of RF for Fm' was affected by the rapid turnover of photosystem 2 (PS2). In order to eliminate the effect of the rapid turnover of photosystem 2 (PS2), the multiphase flush scheme (MPF) based on the linear relationship between the flush (Q') and chlorophyll fluorescence (F') is proposed to estimate Fm' at infinite irradiance. Leaf gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence of three woody species (Castanopsis sclerophylla, Cyclobalanopsis glauca, and Sapium sebiferum) were respectively measured with RF and MPF, Fm' and the derived parameters [the quantum efficiency of PS2 (ΦPSII), the electron flux through PS2 (J), the maximum electron transfer rate (Jmax), mesophyll conductance (gm) and chloroplast CO2 concentration (Cc)] were compared between the two different schemes, and the effects of RF and MPF on these parameters were analyzed. The results showed that no significant difference was found in the parameters for the three species between RF and MPF at the light intensity lower than 200 μmol·m-2·s-1. Fm' estimated with MPF for the three species were 3.5%-5.2%, 11.7%-18.0%, and 3.2%-7.1% higher than those with RF, respectively, at the light intensity higher than 200 μmol·m-2·s-1. The derived parameters (ΦPSII, J and Jmax) estimated with MPF for the three species were higher than those with RF, while the derived parameters(gm and Cc) estimated with MPF were lower at the light intensity higher than 200 μmol·m-2·s-1. In conclusion, estimates of parameters (Fm', ΦPSII, and J) were not significantly affected by the two different schemes at the light intensity lower than 200 μmol·m-2·s-1. The estimates of parameters (Fm', ΦPSII, J, Jmax, gm, and Cc) were significantly affected by the two different schemes at the light intensity higher than 200 μmol·m-2·s-1. Compared with MPF, parameters of Fm', ΦPSII, J and Jmax estimated with RF were underestimated, while parameters of gm and Cc were overestimated.

Potential phosphorus eutrophication mitigation strategy: Biochar carbon composition, thermal stability and pH influence phosphorus sorption

Phosphorus (P) eutrophication is a major pollution problem globally, with unprecedented amount of P emanating from agricultural sources. But little is known about the optimization of soil-biochar P sorption capacity. The study objective was to determine how biochar feedstocks and pyrolysis conditions influences carbon (C) thermal stability, C composition and pH and in turn influence the phosphorus sorption optimization. Biochar was produced from switchgrass, kudzu and Chinese tallow at 200, 300, 400, 500, 550, 650,750 °C. Carbon thermal stability was determined by multi-element scanning thermal analysis (MESTA), C composition was determined using solid state 13C NMR. Phosphorus sorption was determined using a mixture of 10% biochar and 90% sandy soil after incubation. Results indicate increased P sorption (P < 0.0001) and decreased P availability (P < 0.0001) with increasing biochar pyrolysis temperature. However, optimum P sorption was feedstock specific with switchgrass indicating P desorption between 200 and 550 °C. Phosphorus sorption was in the order of kudzu > switchgrass > Chinese tallow. Total C, C thermal stability, aromatic C and alkalinity increased with elevated pyrolysis temperature. Biochar alkalinity favored P sorption. There was a positive relationship between high thermal stable C and P sorption for Kudzu (r = 0.62; P = 0.0346) and Chinese tallow (r = 0.73; P = 0.0138). In conclusion, biochar has potential for P eutrophication mitigation, however, optimum biochar pyrolysis temperature for P sorption is feedstock specific and in some cases might be out of 300–500 °C temperature range commonly used for agronomic application. High thermal stable C dominated by aromatic C and alkaline pH seem to favor P sorption.

Seasonal Abundance of the Adventive Chinese Tallowtree HerbivoreCaloptilia triadicae(Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) and Its Parasitoids

Chinese tallowtree, Triadica sebifera (L.) Small (Malpighiales: Euphorbiaceae), is an invasive weed from southern China that is invasive in the Gulf states of the southeastern USA. One significant factor that contributes to the success of this weed has been the lack of herbivore species attacking it in the invaded range. However, the leafminer species Caloptilia triadicae Davis (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) was discovered feeding on Chinese tallowtree in Florida in 2008 and has now been found throughout much of the plant's invaded range. We monitored the seasonal abundance of C. triadicae populations and their associated parasitoids over 2 yr in Florida. Populations of C. triadicae peaked in Jun and Jul in 2013 and 2014. Parasitism averaged about 3.3% of larvae and pupae, with a peak of 12%. The most abundant parasitoid species was Goniozus sp. (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae) (76% of all parasitoid individuals reared) and, second, Brasema sp. (Hymenoptera: Eupelmidae) (18% of parasitoids). Due to specific niche requirements and the apparent exploitation of leaf mines by these parasitoid species, it is doubtful they will attack species being considered for biological control of Chinese tallowtree.

Predicting spillover risk to non-target plants pre-release: Bikasha collaris a potential biological control agent of Chinese tallowtree (Triadica sebifera)

Quarantine host range tests accurately predict direct risk of biological control agents to non-target species. However, a well-known direct effect of biological control of weeds releases is spillover damage to non-target species. Spillover damage may occur when the population of agents achieves outbreak densities, depletes the target weed, and some feeding occurs on non-target species. Similar to the assessment of direct risks to non-target species, we assessed the risk of spillover damage to non-target species pre-release. Quarantine experiments were conducted on the flea beetle Bikasha collaris (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), a potential biological control agent of Chinese tallowtree, Triadica sebifera, a weed of wetlands, forests, and natural areas in the southeastern U.S.A. Recently emerged, naïve B. collaris adults were fed leaves of T. sebifera (target species), three close relatives that are non-target species (Ditrysinia fruticosa, Gymnanthes lucida, Hippomane mancinella), or water. Adult longevity, egg production, and leaf damage were greatest on the weed and near zero or zero on the non-target species and water control. A spillover event was simulated by transferring adults to non-target species or water after feeding on T. sebifera for 2 or 4weeks and found similar longevity and egg production as those fed only non-target species or water. These results indicated pre-release that when adults that have fed on T. sebifera are forced to spillover onto the non-target species, there is no risk of damage and that B. collaris will only be able to sustain populations on the target weed.

First Report of Powdery Mildew Caused by Podosphaera sp. on Triadica sebifera in California

First Report of Powdery Mildew Caused by <i>Podosphaera</i> sp. on <i>Triadica sebifera</i> in California

Spatial distribution of two invasive alien species, Podocarpus nagi and Sapium sebiferum, spreading in a warm-temperate evergreen forest of the Kasugayama Forest Reserve, Japan

Spatial distribution of two invasive alien species, Podocarpus nagi and Sapium sebiferum, spreading in a warm-temperate evergreen forest of the Kasugayama Forest Reserve, Japan

Clonal structure, growth pattern and preemptive space occupancy through sprouting of an invasive tree, Triadica sebifera

ABSTRACTWe investigated clonal structure, growth pattern and colonization through sprouting in the invasive tree species Triadica sebifera on Mt. Mikasa, Nara City, Japan. Genets of T. sebifera were identified by microsatellite DNA analysis. The age of stems was determined by counting annual growth rings. In a 25 × 60-m plot, we found 214 genets among 315 stems ≥130 cm in height. Of these, 23 genets were multistemmed. Numbers of stems on a genet increased with increasing genet age. The size, shape and number of stems indicated that several genets adopted a guerilla growth strategy in which stems are widely spaced along roots. Only one genet seemed to adopt a phalanx growth strategy characterized by high stem density within limited areas. Older stems occurred only in the vicinity of the parental stems of genets. Young stems occurred not only at the leading edge of the genet but also close to the parental stem. Stem size was negatively correlated with the number of younger stems but positively correlated with that of older stems on the same genet. This suggests that stems were physiologically connected and that translocation of photosynthetic products was directed from old to young stems. Physiological integration may allow small stems to persist under low light availability. These findings indicate that urgent measures are required to control the T. sebifera population because the species increases its area of occupancy by vigorous stem sprouting which may compromise the natural forest.

Biomass Estimations of Invasives Yaupon, Chinese Privet and Chinese Tallow in East Texas Hardwood and Pine Ecosystems

Forest understory fuels can have profound effects on fire behavior and crown fire initiation. Accurate fire behavior prediction in understory fuels is an essential component for estimating fire intensity and severity during wildfire and prescribed fire events. This study focused on estimating temporal and seasonal changes in fuel loading parameters associated with the expansion of invasive yaupon (Ilex vomitoria), Chinese privet (Ligustrum sinense), and Chinese tallow (Triadica sebifera) in East Texas pine and hardwood ecosystems. Fuel loading data of invasive species infested sites indicated significant increases in understory biomass when compared to 1988 estimates, suggesting a clear need to revise regional fuel models. Multiple and simple regression biomass prediction equations were developed for all three-invasive species to facilitate fuel load estimates. These improved prediction equations will enhance fire management efforts as well as invasive species mitigation efforts in east Texas.