What are invasive weeds?
Western rangelands have been grazed by wildlife and/or livestock for hundreds of years. More recently, recreation has become increasingly important as the western U.S. becomes more urban. Unfortunately, a significant portion of western rangeland has been overused and poorly managed. These issues, along with unfavorable weather conditions, contributed to the deterioration of rangeland soil quality and watersheds in some areas. Grazing can have both positive and negative effects on rangeland depending on whether grazing animals are managed properly or improperly. Positive impacts of grazing • Removes dead plant material allowing for growth of new material • Induces the formation of tillers by plant hormones • Helps disperse seeds Negative Impacts • Reduces the photosynthetic capacity of the plant by decreasing leaf area • Decreased photosynthesis can lead to diminished root growth; adequate root growth is essential for plant post-grazing recovery • Decreases seed production The rangeland
