Ability to Respond Total:11 / 25Ability to Respond = ( Ease of Response + Tools in Place )
Confidence:High
Confidence Notes:
Impact
Spread
Notes
Score
Spread Rate
Already spread throughout most of it's suitable range, but continues to occupy more lands as disturbances such as fire occur.
4
Spread Amount
Problematic in many ecotypes.
4
Damage
Notes
Score
Ecological
Increases fuel continuity and flammability. Removal of shrub cover alters microhabitat characterisitcs and soil nutrient cycling and distribution.
5
Agricultural
Problematic agricultural weed throughout the western US. Successful in competing with winter planted small grains and also contaminating grass hays. Seeds in contaminated hay can cause problems with the mucus membranes of livestock mouths.
4
Infrastructure
Leads to fires that commonly damage infrastructure.
3
Cultural
Impacts recreational areas and other historical sites. Reduced the aesthetics of many wildland areas.
3
Health
Awns on spikelets can cause minor health problems in livestock and pets.
1
Benefit
Notes
Score
Ecological
0
Agricultural
Good forage for a short period of time during the winter and spring, on certain years a significant amount of forage can be produced before head/seed production prevents grazing.
2
Infrastructure
0
Cultural
0
Health
0
Total
22
Ability to Respond
Ease of Response
Notes
Score
Detection
Seedlings are difficult to identify unless previous year inflorescence skeletons are present. Generally very widespread throughout the western US
3
Control
Difficult to control economically in grazing/natural systems. While herbicides are available, they can cause environmental damage. Economically feasible to control in irrigated agriculture.
3
Tools in Place
Notes
Score
Entry
C-rated weed in California.
1
Control
Some control efforts at the local level, primarily in areas of sage grouse habitat, and fire concern.
