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Noxious, invasive plants are negatively changing the landscape of western rangelands in the United States. Because rangelands are complex and fragile ecosystems, invasion by non-native plants can push them beyond their ability to cope with natural stresses contributing significantly to land degradation. In the West, invasive plants have invaded an estimated 17 million acres of public land with some spreading at the rate of about 200 acres per hour. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) estimates that the amount of public land infested is growing by over 4,000 acres (approximately 6 square miles) daily, and this number does not account for the spread of invasive plants on private lands. Regardless of land ownership, invasive species can significantly alter ecosystem structure and function, which in turn affects economic systems.

While exact dollar amounts are difficult to assess, recognized costs include management of invasive plants and the loss of jobs and income due to infestations and land degradation. There can be significant declines in land values for weed-infested rangelands. In addition, rangelands furnish open space for recreational activities including hiking, camping, and fishing. These recreational uses decrease as invasive plant infestations render land inaccessible; consequently, revenues for land use fall.

The ecological impacts of invasive plants on rangelands are numerous and wide-ranging. For instance, invasive plants can displace native plants, resulting in decreased species diversity. This in turn can lead to decreased animal diversity because of altered habitats and lack of native plants for food. In addition, invasive plants often use more water than native plants, thereby sequestering valuable water resources and changing rangeland stream and river dynamics. Increased erosion and diminished soil quality also are common on infested rangelands since invasive plants often cause alterations in runoff patterns and natural fire frequency, which may lead to exposed areas and further infestation. Another consequence has been increased stress on already endangered and threatened plant species.

Cooperation from the public can be integral to controlling invasive plants on western rangelands. Citizen participation, for example, in the form of volunteer activities and participation in Cooperative Wed Management Areas, is critical to the success of weed management programs. The stimulus for local citizens to become involved in invasive plant management will stem from understanding the problem and its potential affects.

The focus of this learning module will be to provide a tool for educating the general public on the economic and ecological costs of invasive plants and to present ways they can contribute to the management of invasive plants. Even though invasive plants are encroaching on western lands at a rapid rate, significant areas are still free of major infestation. As the general public better understands the problem, the likelihood of support for public funding of invasive plant projects increases.

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