Ability to Respond Total:8 / 25Ability to Respond = ( Ease of Response + Tools in Place )
Confidence:High
Confidence Notes:
Impact
Spread
Notes
Score
Spread Rate
Spreads in arid to semi-arid areas, ranges from deserts of Southern California to coast. Spreads quickly when introduced to new area.
4
Spread Amount
Although most problematic in the desert areas, red brome can also be a problem inland in sage scrub, edges of chaparral, recently burned areas, foothill grasslands, forest openings, disturbed areas. Occurs in many regions of California
4
Damage
Notes
Score
Ecological
Increases fuel continuity and flammability. Alters soil nutrient cycling and distribution. Reduces native plants and competes for limited moisture in arid and semi-arid areas. Impacts wildlife habitat for endangered species.
5
Agricultural
Very minor agricultural weed.
1
Infrastructure
1
Cultural
Impacts recreational areas and other historical sites. Reduces the aesthetics of many wildland areas. As it creates fuels, fires also reduce cultural areas including Joshua tree woodlands.
3
Health
Awns on spikelets can cause minor health problems in livestock.
1
Benefit
Notes
Score
Ecological
0
Agricultural
Good forage for short period of time during the spring, during maturity can cause problems in livestock, but primarily occurs in wildland areas with little grazing.
1
Infrastructure
0
Cultural
0
Health
0
Total
18
Ability to Respond
Ease of Response
Notes
Score
Detection
Plants can be in remote desert areas making detection of new infestations difficult. Seedlings are difficult to identify unless previous year inflorescence skeletons are present. Plants are easiest to identify at maturity.
3
Control
Difficult to control economically. While herbicides are available and effective, widespread use leads to tradeoffs with control, costs and environment. Few management tools are available that scale to size of infestation (thousands to millions of acres.
3
Tools in Place
Notes
Score
Entry
0
Control
Some control efforts at the local level, primarily in desert and inland areas in Southern California, but not statewide.
