Increased utilitarian value of invasive species in regions with long invasion history may limit public engagement for invasion control

Societal Impact Statement Positive perceptions of invasive species can hinder effective management, especially if management efforts that are rooted in scientific theories are misaligned with local ecological knowledge. We documented local ecological knowledge about land invasibility as predicted by invasion biology theories. Participants with greater local ecological knowledge were more likely to support management, contrary to those who use invasive plants as food or medicine. Our findings emphasize the importance of promoting awareness of the threats of even culturally important invasive species while also drawing upon local stakeholder knowledge to generate effective management. Summary Misaligned management goals between scientists and local people can complicate the management of invasive plants, particularly if invaders are locally positively perceived. Management efforts that integrate local ecological knowledge with scientific knowledge are often particularly effective. We explored the relationship between local ecological knowledge, use, and management of an invasive plant in Benin. We interviewed 242 farmers across the northward invasional gradient of Chromolaena odorata , presenting participants with questions representing five invasion biology hypotheses that predict potential drivers of C. odorata invasion. First, we used the Kullback–Liebler divergence to show that local ecological knowledge on C. odorata 's invasion converged with scientific predictions. Second, we analyzed how demographics and distance from the invasional front shaped the use, knowledge, and management of C. odorata . Participants in regions with longer invasion history were more likely to use C. odorata as food or medicine than those near the invasional front. Third, we showed that participants who used C. odorata as food or medicine were less likely to support invasion management. Inversely, participants with higher local ecological knowledge were more likely to agree that managing C. odorata was important. Our results emphasize that by promoting awareness of the ecological contexts of invasion and integrating local ecological knowledge into management, we may encourage public involvement in managing even culturally important invasive species.