Noxious Weeds and the Payette NF
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Noxious weed infestations pose a serious
threat to the diversity, integrity, and health of the plant communities
in the Payette National Forest, which in turn can have negative
impacts on recreational experiences, timberlands, wildlife/fisheries
habitat, and watershed stability. They can create monocultures that
eliminate diverse plant communities. Watersheds dominated by noxious
weeds tend to be less efficient in absorbing and storing water resulting
in increased soil erosion. Noxious weeds can reduce forage production
for all classses of herbivores and reduce habitats for small birds
and animals. Several noxious weed species can cause physical discomfort
or irritation to humans due to barbs, spines and prickles.
The State of Idaho has designated 36 species of weeds as noxious
by law, 11 of which are known to exist on the Payette National Forest.
Five other invasive weeds are also present and managed in conjunction
with the noxious weeds. An estimated 117,000 acres of Payette National
Forest lands are infested with weeds, the majority of which are
closely associated with roads and other areas of disturbance. The
Payette National Forest actively manages noxious weeds by hiring
inventory and treatment personnel to work on Forest priorty projects,
as well as through Cooperative Weed Management Areas (CWMAs). CWMAs
are community-based weed management organizations that have banded
together to build coordinated and integrated weed management programs
within a given geographical area. The Payette National Forest participates
with four CWMAs to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of noxious
weed management across the Forest.
The following lists are the State designated noxious and invasive
weeds that can be found on the Payette National Forest.
State
designated noxious weeds
- yellow toadflax
- dalmation toadflax
- Canada thistle
- spotted knapweed
- diffuse knapweed
- rush skeletonweed
- leafy spurge
- scotch thistle
- poison hemlock
- white top
- perennial pepperweed
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Invasives
- St Johnswort
- tall larkspur
- bull thistle
- houndstongue
- sulfur cinquefoil
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Visit the Web Sites listed below for more information
on Weeds |
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