Can noxious weeds cause the loss of wildlife habitat?
Yes. Dense infestations of noxious weeds reduce wildlife forage, alter thermal and escape cover, change water flow and availability to wildlife, and may reduce territorial space necessary for wildlife survival. Areas dominated by leafy spurge receive less use by deer (3 times less use) and bison (4 times less use) compared with similar infested areas. Elk use increased about 4 times after controlling the dense spotted knapweed infestation on study sites. Can noxious weeds displace threatened and endangered species of plants and animals? Yes. Rare, threatened, and endangered species, such as bulrush, dwarf spikerush, bog turtle, Sacramento thistle, sapphire rockcress, and Colorado butterfly are being displaced by noxious weeds. Can noxious weeds alter the functioning of Riparian (wet land) areas? Yes. This weed lowers water tables and, in some areas, has eliminated surface water and native vegetation needed by wildlife. The noxious weed (tree) saltcedar is drying up ponds and small stre
