Impacts from Invasive Plants

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Economic Impacts

• Cost to U.S. economy - an incredible $40 billion a year!
• Weed control costs are passed on to taxpayers
• Property values for ranches, infested with exotic weeds, are known to have decreased by 60%
• Highly degraded pasture lands have been sold for housing developments

Ecological Impacts

• Wildlife - Wildlife requires a variety of plants for food and shelter. Monocultures of weeds are destroying the diversity of the plants wildlife need for survival.
• Endangered Species - Invasive weeds threaten two-thirds of all endangered species.
• Soil Erosion - Invasive weeds increase soil erosion, damaging streams that provide habitat for aquatic species.
• Water - Thick stands of invasive weeds can absorb enough water to dry up small reservoirs.
• Soil Chemistry - Some invasive weeds change soil chemistry.
• Wildfire - Invasive weeds are susceptible to wildfires - creating dangerous fire hazards.
• Recreation - Dense patches of weeds restrict access to recreational sites.
• Livestock - Some invasive weeds contain chemicals poisonous to livestock.