Description and prediction of the dispersion of common ragweed von Robert Richter

Diffusion processes are widely used to determine the inner structure of materials. Beside this physical approach, diffusion can also be used to model the spread of plants and animals. This procedure is useful when trying to predict the dispersion of invasive alien species, as they cause major threats to our ecosystems and health. Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. (common ragweed), which causes severe pollen allergies, is such a plant. Especially the ongoing climate change is supposed to boost the spread of invasive alien species. Therefore, the aim of ecologists is curtailing such a dispersion. In the past detailed instructions were missing how to carry out eradication. This book explains how the spread of Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. (common ragweed) can be simulated under different climate change assumptions. Further, management schemes for curtailing the spread are discussed and benefit-cost calculations were carried out to figure out if eradication processes are profitable.

Robert Richter studied physics at the Vienna University of Technology. After several years in the private sector he has written his PhD thesis at the University of Vienna. Since 2012 he teaches physics and mathematics.