Bromus tectorum, commonly known as cheatgrass, is an annual plant grass that invades rangelands, pastures, prairies, and other open areas. Cheatgrass has the potential to completely alter the ecosystems it invades. It can completely replace native vegetation and change fire regimes. It occurs throughout the United States and Canada, but is most problematic in areas of the western United States with lower precipitation levels. Cheatgrass is native to Europe and parts of Africa and Asia. It was first introduced into the United States accidentally in the mid 1800s.

Invasives are non-native and native species that cause ecological and economic harm. Invasive plant species are a threat to wildland ecosystems causing widespread degradation. Some of the consequences of invasive plants include displacement of native plants, reduced wildlife habitat quality, and altered fire regimes. GSD scientists study the biological and ecological requirements of invasive and native species, dynamics between disturbances and invasive spread, and ways to mitigate their impacts by investigating techniques designed to control target species and restore damaged ecosystems.

Projects

• Classical Biological Control of Dalmatian (Linaria dalmatica), Yellow (L. vulgaris) and Hybrid (L. dalmatica x L. vulgaris) Toadflax
• Ecology and Management of Leafy Spurge in the Northern Great Plains
• Ecology, Management and Restoration of Great Basin Meadow Ecosystems
• Effect of Endophytic Fungi on Cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum L.) Growth and Fecundity
• Effects of Fuel Reductions in the Santa Fe River Watershed
• Effects of Fuel Reductions on Wildlife Populations and Vegetation in the Middle Rio Grande Valley, New Mexico
• Effects of Wildfire on Wildlife Populations and Vegetation in the Middle Rio Grande Valley, New Mexico
• Equipment and Strategies to Enhance the Post-wildfire Establishment and Persistence of Great Basin Native Plants
• Exploring the Potential for Cheatgrass Biocontrol with Naturally Occurring Fungal Pathogens
• Great Basin Native Plant Selection and Increase Project
• Integrating Chemical Ecology and Biological Control of Invasive Plants
• Invasive Plant Response to Disturbance on the Black Hills National Forest
• Management of Prairie Dog Colonies for Grassland Sustainability
• Salt-Desert Shrubland Stability as Affected by Livestock Grazing, Invasive Weeds and Climate Variability
• Understanding Ecological Resistance to Annual Grass Invasion and Resilience to Disturbance