Disturbed sites can be a haven for weedy or invasive plants. A restoration practitioner can select species known to competitively exclude undesirable species at any stage, although mature plants are more likely to resist invasion than younger seedlings [1]. Care should always be taken to keep construction/restoration equipment and any other sources of weed seed clean of soil and plant material when moving between sites so that the weeds are not spread from one disturbed site to another. If there are known invasive species in adjacent sites, early detection and removal of weedy species may be necessary to keep the restoration site free from invasive species. For targeted identification and management of priority weeds, contact your local Cooperative Extension office or your local Cooperative Weed Management Area.
Resources
- Noxious weed field guide for Utah
- Common weeds of the yard and garden: A guidebook
- State of Utah noxious weed list
- Utah Weed Control Association
- Biocontrol field guide for Utah
- SLC Residential Noxious Weed Guide
- Weed Management in the Landscape | UA Extension
- Invasive Plants in Utah | Rangeland Resources of Utah
- Restoring Western Ranges and Wildlands
- Cooperative Weed Management Area (CWMA) Map
- Goat grazing controls weeds
- A Well Designed Goat Grazing Plan Can Reduce Noxious Weeds
References
[1] Pyke DA, Wirth TA, Beyers JL. Does seeding after wildfires in rangelands reduce erosion or invasive species? Restoration Ecology. 2013;21(4):415–421. doi:10.1111/rec.12021