Buckthorn is a plant that was imported from Europe in the mid-1800s to make hedges in people’s yards. It now grows wild in 27 states. Buckthorn serves as a host to pest insects and fungi and outcompetes native plants for resources. It also contributes to erosion by outcompeting plant species that help hold soil in place. Buckthorn does well in the United States because insects or diseases that would limit the plant’s growth are not in the US. Some methods for controlling buckthorn include:

burning woods and forests where buckthorn is found;
mowing areas repeatedly where buckthorn is found;
cutting down buckthorn and treating the stump with a chemical to prevent it from growing back; and
spraying buckthorn plants with chemicals to kill them.
Which question will be most helpful to evaluate these control methods in terms of the impact on biodiversity and the benefits that come from local ecosystems?

Multiple choice question.
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A)
What is the cost of the control method?

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B)
What other effects does the control method have?

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C)
What will people who live nearby think about the control method?

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D)
What other invasive plants and insects can the control method eliminate?

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