Does Alaska have a Weed Problem?
The perception that Alaska doesn’t have much of a weed problem is erroneous. Inventories statewide have identified over 27,000 infestations. BLM-Alaska has identified over 800 infestations along the Dalton Highway alone. Despite these figures, Alaska is very much in the early phases of outward expansion of invasive plants. Most work to be done in Alaska would be early detection and rapid response which is priority work for BLM.
Why are invasive weeds a problem for the BLM?
Millions of acres of once healthy, productive rangelands, forestlands and riparian areas have been overrun by noxious or invasive weeds. They are invading recreation areas, BLM-managed public lands, National Parks, State Parks, roadsides, streambanks, Federal, state, and private lands.
Invasive weeds:
- destroy wildlife habitat
- reduce opportunities for hunting, fishing, camping and other recreational activities
- displace many Threatened and Endangered Species
- reduce plant and animal diversity because of weed monocultures-single plat species that over run all others in an area
- disrupt waterfowl and neo-tropical migratory bird flight patterns and nesting habitats
- cost millions of dollars in treatment and loss of productivity to private land owners
What is a noxious weed?
The term "weed" means different things to different people. In the broadest sense, it is any plant growing where it is not wanted. Weeds can be native or non-native, invasive or non invasive, and noxious or not noxious.
Legally, a noxious weed is any plant designated by a Federal, State or county government as injurious to public health, agriculture, recreation, wildlife or property. (Sheley, Petroff, and Borman,1999)
A noxious weed is also commonly defined as a plant that grows out of place (i.e. a rose can be a weed in a wheat field) and is "competitive, persistent, and pernicious." (James, et al, 1991).
Are invasive plants the same as noxious weeds?
No. Invasive plants include not only noxious weeds, but also other plants that are not native to this country. The BLM considers plants invasive if they have been introduced into an environment where they did not evolve. As a result, they usually have no natural enemies to limit their reproduction and spread (Westbrooks, 1998). Some invasive plants can produce significant changes to vegetation, composition, structure, or ecosystem function. (Cronk and Fuller, 1995).
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