Sorghum halepense (Johnsongrass): A review of the invasion, management, and spread in the changing climate of the Southern Great Plains

Abstract Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers. (Johnsongrass), an invasive tallgrass, actively inhabits grassland ecosystems of North America. The grasslands ecoregions of the southern Great Plains are particularly susceptible to S. halepense invasion and dominance because of its preferential growth in continental climate zones coupled with its ability to readily colonize recent disturbances associated with declining livestock grazing and anthropogenic energy and housing development. Controlling S. halepense via chemical or mechanical inputs can reduce plant species’ abundance temporarily, but are typically followed by S. halepense re-establishment. S. halepense does, however, provide high quality forage and appears to withstand the frequent drought and flooding events associated with climate change in southern Great Plains ecosystems. In this review, the benefits and drawbacks of S. halepense in southern Great Plains grassland ecosystems are discussed and areas where research on this species could be expanded are identified.