Ecological Restoration of Degraded Plant Communities: Initiation of Field Studies on Weed Re-Invasion into Native Plant Communities

Authors

Suzanne Bart, Brigham Young University
Dr. Phil S. Allen, Brigham Young University

Keywords

ecological restoration, plant communities, weeds, native plant

College

Life Sciences

Department

Plant and Wildlife Sciences

Abstract

The invasion of plant communities by non-native species is a global issue with serious economical and environmental costs. Aggressive weeds have displaced millions of acres of native vegetation and can dramatically alter the nutrient cycling, hydrology, wildfire potential, and structure of native ecosystems. In addition to the loss of biodiversity, the economic and environmental costs associated with this invasion include millions of dollars spent each year to fight wildfires, re-seed fire-ravaged wildlands, and control noxious weeds. In addition, there is an accompanying loss of biodiversity and the formation of unstable weed communities, which allow invasion by other weeds even more harmful than those presently occupying the site.

Recommended Citation

Bart, Suzanne and Allen, Dr. Phil S. (2014) "Ecological Restoration of Degraded Plant Communities: Initiation of Field Studies on Weed Re-Invasion into Native Plant Communities," Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2014: Iss. 1, Article 973.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2014/iss1/973