Displacement of rare plants by exotic grasses

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Abstract:

Exotic grasses are displacing both rare and common plant species on western rangelands. Interspecific competition displaces valuable genetic resources in many parts of the world, including the Intermountain shrub-steppe communities. This problem is especially bad in the Intermountain West because of the invasion of exotic species preadapted to the arid conditions. Case studies of several rare plants, including Aase's onion (Allium aaseae Ownbey), Davis peppergrass (Lepidium davisii Rollins), slick-spot peppergrass (L. papilliferum [Henderson] A.Nels. & J.F. Macbr), inch-high lupine (Lupinus uncialis S. Wats), gymnosteris (Gymnosteris nudicaulis [Hook. & Arn.] Gray), and an annual buckwheat (Oxytheca dendroides Nutt.), illustrate the challenge these species have in surviving in environments modified by exotics. Even if grazing were properly controlled or regulated, rare plants would still be threatened unless exotic grasses and the resulting increased fire frequency were controlled.

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Reference Code: A94ROS01IDUS

Full Citation: Rosentreter, R. 1994. Displacement of rare plants by exotic grasses. Pages 170-175 in Monsen, S. B. and Kitchen, S. G., compilers, Proceedings - ecology and management of annual rangelands, May 18-21, 1992, Boise, Idaho. Gen. Tech. Rep. INT-GTR-313. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Research Station, Ogden, UT.

Location: COMMUNITY ECOLOGY SHELF - GENERAL

Keywords: cheatgrass, weed control, fire ecology, restoration, species utility, seed germination, seedbed ecology