Can noxious weeds displace native plant species?
Yes. Noxious weeds out compete most native plants for soil nutrients and soil. In Glacier National Park, spotted knapweed reduced the frequency of six native species and totally eliminated seven other rare and uncommon native species in a three year period. Eleven native species were found adjacent to a leafy spurge infestation, but only three native species remained inside the infestation. The invasion of our range land by noxious weeds poses a serious threat to the conservation of native plant communities. Can noxious weeds lower plant diversity? Yes. Plant diversity is needed to maintain healthy plant communities that resist weed invasion. Many noxious weeds such as Russian knapweed, leafy spurge, and spotted knapweed, reduce plant diversity of native range land. Plant diversity is needed to maintain the ecological integrity of the habitat, provide resistance to weed invasion, and preserve genetic material necessary to adapt to long-term changing and environmental factors. Plus, man
