Ability to Respond Total:6 / 25Ability to Respond = ( Ease of Response + Tools in Place )
Confidence:High
Confidence Notes:
Impact
Spread
Notes
Score
Spread Rate
Has and continues to spread very rapidly in Arizona and is likely to do the same in desert areas of California.
5
Spread Amount
Primarily limited to arid areas and is only expected to be invasive in southeastern region of California. Also invades semi-tropical areas in other areas, could invade areas with summer moisture, similar to current fountain grass (P. setaceum) distributio.
3
Damage
Notes
Score
Ecological
Buffelgrass grows densely and crowds out native plants of similar size. Competition for water can weaken and kill larger desert plants. Dense roots and ground shading prevent germination of seeds. Rated moderate in the Cal-IPC inventory.
5
Agricultural
0
Infrastructure
0
Cultural
Adds fuels to desert areas that are fuel limited, and has potential to burn exposed cultural sites or reduce access to sites.
2
Health
0
Benefit
Notes
Score
Ecological
0
Agricultural
Was introduced as a forage in arid areas.
1
Infrastructure
0
Cultural
0
Health
0
Total
14
Ability to Respond
Ease of Response
Notes
Score
Detection
As a perennial bunchgrass, it is easy to detect, although may occur in remote desert areas to easily accessible. Seeds can be dispersed long distances by wind, water or wildlife.
4
Control
Difficult to control due to accessibility and occurrence on steep slopes. Also, difficult to control increasing amounts of new seedlings in infestations. For herbicide control, lack of available water in vicinity makes control operations difficult.
2
Tools in Place
Notes
Score
Entry
None in place
0
Control
No mandates
0
Outreach
No outreach in California, but strong outreach in Arizona.
