How can you protect your valuable rangeland? Now, for the first time, you can view noxious weed lists from the U.S. and Canada by logging on to the University of Montana's "Invaders" website. "Researchers with USDA's Agricultural Research Service developed the new noxious weed section at the website," says Kathryn Barry Stelljes, ARS public affairs specialist. To view the noxious weed information, go to:
http://invader.dbs.umt.edu/Noxious_Weeds
"Researchers at the ARS Northern Plains Agricultural Research Laboratory in Sidney, Mont., compiled the new section containing official federal, state and provincial noxious weed lists," Stelljes says. "The new section also includes a national ranking of weeds based on the number of states where they are designated noxious."
Noxious, invasive weeds choke out native vegetation in a "slow-motion explosion." Imported into the country without their native system of checks and balances, noxious weeds are taking over the West at a rate of more than 200 acres per hour, 5,000 acres per day.
One invader, Canada thistle, occurs in 50 American states and Canadian provinces. Spotted knapweed, which appears in 18 states and provinces, first entered the Pacific Northwest around 1893. "Distribution of this invader exploded from 60 counties in 1985 to at least 175 counties today," Stelljes says. Spotted knapweed is unpalatable to animals and displaces native vegetation, causing permanent changes to the ecosystem. The plants have large taproots that aren't able to hold the soil and prevent erosion like the fibrous roots of native species.
Spotted knapweed's pretty purple flowers, and the attractive flowers of other noxious weeds, are part of the problem. Hikers, campers, and other recreationists may pick the flowers for use in home floral arrangements. New weed infestations can occur when people transport the flowers to new locations.
Almost all states have laws requiring noxious weed management. "The Invaders database will help decision makers prioritize control and research efforts at the local and national levels. They also can use the system to predict future problems by examining lists from neighboring states or regions," Stelljes adds.
To read more about the noxious weed database, see ARS' article "National Scope of Noxious Weeds Now on World Wide Web".
Go To Page: 1
