BIOLOGICAL definition of an invasive exotic NOXIOUS WEED - any plant regulated by a governmental body A WEED is any plant you don’t want

Characteristics of Invasive WEEDS 1.NON-NATIVE 2.INVASIVENESS 3.COMPETITIVENESS 4.PERSISTENCE 5.AGGRESSIVENESS

Land use is changing Weed spread over the past 100 years in MT ECOLOGICAL and ECONOMIC impacts of invasive weeds Understand the Seriousness of Invasive Weeds

Land use is changing Increasing Public and Wildland Interface Increasing Recreation Use Increasing Human Movement/Transportation

reduce habitat for fish, wildlife and livestock choke out native plant species, threaten sensitive species increase soil erosion and stream sedimentation limit recreational opportunities cost millions of dollars each year IMPACTS! OF INVASIVE WEEDS

WHY DO ANYTHING? $ ECONOMIC –$35 billion/year in costs/ damages(US) $ - SFPWMA partners spent over $200,000 this year controlling weeds primarily in Flagstaff and adjacent highways and forests $ - MONTANA - $42 million is costs and damages for one weed species

Silently sneaking across boundaries, noxious weeds cost Montanans millions of dollars each year. Knapweed Infestations Total Direct and Secondary Annual Economic Impacts $ million

TODAY spotted knapweed in MT

KNAPWEED in N. AZ

Ground disturbing projects Ground disturbing projects Sensitive and endangered species habitat Sensitive and endangered species habitat High intensity fires High intensity fires High-use Recreation sites High-use Recreation sites Road construction, reconstruction, & Road construction, reconstruction, &maintenance What is at risk?

Propagules of Regeneration SEEDS –FLOWERS –SOIL SEEDBANK –RE - VEGETATION ROOTS – SOIL DISTURBANCE – SOILS TRANSFER

Pathways of Introduction ON SITE SOURCES –PLANT MATERIAL –SEED BANK OFF-SITE SOURCES –SOIL/FILL MATERIALS –EQUIPMENT –REVEGETATION/ MULCHING COORDINATION

Pathways of Introduction TRAINS NURSERY PLANTS HAY PRODUCE TRUCKS TOURISTS Construction Equipment FIRE

RISK ASSESSMENT Pre – Field Review Field Reconnaissance RISK RATING –Risk Rating = Likelihood x Consequence –Likelihood = The likelihood that weeds will establish in project area. –Consequence = The consequence of weeds establishing in project area.