Buffelgrass poses a serious fire risk to homes and businesses and threatens to irrevocably alter our Sonoran Desert. Not only do these non-native species change the local ecosystem, but this particular plant creates a serious fire hazard with its dry, grassy nature. Buffelgrass spreads readily by seed and establishes itself in disturbed areas. Buffelgrass is a non-native, invasive species that is spreading rapidly across southern Arizona. These are the most threatening plants that are currently considered invasives and noxious to native Arizona ecosystems: Buffelgrass, Fountain Grass, and Stinknet. Buffelgrass is abundant in the wildland-urban interface, creating pathways for wildland fires to enter residential areas. It reduces the biodiversity of … Conservation Biology, 18(6):1504-1514. Buffelgrass, an invasive species native to Africa, Asia and the Middle East, was introduced in Arizona in the 1930s for cattle forage and erosion control. Buffelgrass (Pennisetum ciliare) is a fire-prone, African bunchgrass spreading rapidly across the southern Arizona desert.This article introduces a model that simulates buffelgrass spread over a gridded landscape over time to evaluate strategies to control this invasive species. Threatening Species. In early April, hikers started to see plants splashed with bright blue chalk. This map identifies those states that list this species on their invasive species list or law. The Sonoran Desert Cooperative Weed Management Area (SD-CWMA) is born out of the partnerships and hard work of the Buffelgrass Working Group. Buffel grass favours alkaline soils and within arid areas establishes best in pockets of high nutrients and moisture. Buffelgrass is known for its high drought tolerance and tendency to grow in dense clumps. Once established, this invasive grass can then move into native desert habitats on hillsides and along drainages. Pima County Natural Resources, The Arizona Sonora Desert Museum and other local agencies are heading up efforts to "Save Our Saguaros" from invasive buffelgrass. Buffelgrass stands can burn at over 1,400 degrees - nearly three times hotter than fires generated by native vegetation. Efforts are made year round to get rid of it, but February is the official "Save Our Saguaros" … This list signals to agencies and the public the need to actively control the spread of those species. Buffelgrass poses a serious fire risk to homes and businesses and threatens to irrevocably alter our Sonoran Desert. Buffelgrass, a C4 ... buffelgrass moves and … Potential ecological distribution of alien invasive species and risk assessment: a case study of buffel grass in arid regions of Mexico. Buffelgrass is an invasive species that is hurting our beautiful Sonoran Desert. Cenchrus ciliaris (Buffelgrass) Displacement of native plants and changes in diversity can result in a radically different habitat and food value for wildlife. The fire took out as many as 2,000 saguaros, some of which stood amidst stands of buffelgrass. Sadly, some invasive plants are altering the Sonoran Desert in decid-edly undesirable ways. Buffelgrass increases the risk of wildfires and is a threat to native saguaros. invasive grasses from your yard. It often spreads in already-disturbed areas, such as on the side of highways, medians, or cleared agricultural land. Highlights Buffel grass is a popular pastoral species but can be highly invasive. Temperature may be the key limiting factor to its geographic distribution at a global scale. This is especially true in arid and semi-arid lands, where recovery from land change is long-term and more difficult (D’Antonioand Vitousek, 1992). Buffelgrass is an invasive perennial species that managers view as a major threat to indigenous ecosystems of conservation lands in Australia, Mexico, the United States, and other locations where the species is not native. Buffelgrass, an invasive species, is overwhelming portions of Saguaro National Park, including primary habitat for the iconic saguaro cacti. These maps are updated daily and predict green-up one to two weeks in the future. We currently work with two focal invasive grasses; Buffelgrass and Guinea grass. Impact from invasive species has become a force of global land change. Adverse impacts on biodiversity are poorly quantified. Opinions have been floating around for a while about whether the phrase “invasive species,” when used in an ecological context, should be considered hurtful. Barrera E de la, 2008. SUBSCRIBE NOW Only $3 for 3 months. Pima County Code regulates buffelgrass The Invasive Species Research Lab at BFL is researching the ecology of these grasses in both native and introduced ranges to better inform approaches for the sustainable management of these species. History Buffelgrass was introduced to … Therefore, understanding the processes and mechanisms that mediate invasive species is critical to mitigating the detrimental effects on biodiversity and ecosystem function. This invasive species, introduced from the African savannah, has gained a foothold in southern Arizona, crowding out native plants and threatening native wildlife populations. Our project tests the enemy release hypotheses on buffelgrass ( Cenchrus ciliarus ), and expands it to “natural stressor release”. Understanding distribution will be crucial to effective early control of invasions. Events, volunteering and research opportunities, visit: www.buffelgrass.org Please contact your local, state, and Federal representatives to let them know that treating invasives on public lands is an important concern. It’s part of an effort to raise awareness about buffelgrass, an invasive species that worsens a problem many Arizonans are already familiar […] Buffelgrass is like the cockroach of the Sonoran desert. Buffelgrass, an invasive species native to Africa, Asia and the Middle East, was introduced in Arizona in the 1930s for cattle forage and erosion control. Buffelgrass, an invasive species from South Africa, is the focus of an eradication campaign by Phoenix and several conservancy groups. Buffelgrass is a non-native, invasive species that is spreading rapidly across southern Arizona. Buffelgrass stands can burn at over 1,400 degrees and are almost three … Buffelgrass (Pennisetum ciliare) is a short, shrubby grass found in deserts in the Southwestern United States, notably the Sonoran Desert in Arizona. The invasive, non-native grass can spread and intensify wildfires dramatically. Throughout its native and introduced range, buffelgrass is cultivated, and it has become invasive in Australia, North and South America, and many islands in the Pacific Ocean (including Hawaii), Indian Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. These characteristics allow the invasive plant to crowd native plants and compete for available resources. Effective control will require global action at local and regional scales. Buffelgrass Blues, a new campaign by Phoenix Parks and Recreation and area partners, aims to raise awareness about invasive species. Buffelgrass can also be found in yards, alleyways and utility corridors throughout Tucson. Then encourage your neighbors and friends to do the same. Buffelgrass stands can burn at over 1,400 degrees - nearly three times hotter than fires generated by native vegetation. Photo courtesy of National Park Service. Taller desert plants are eradicated by the establishment of buffelgrass because the native plants lost the competition for water. Buffel grass does not spread rapidly in higher rainfall areas in Queensland, Australia, but is more invasive in the arid zones of central and western Australia where its resistance to fire drought and grazing makes it very persistant and dominate over native species by forming dense monocultures and displacing native species. Invasive.org is a joint project of University of Georgia - Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health, USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA Forest Service, USDA Identification Technology Program, and USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture The buffelgrass Pheno Forecast is based on known precipitation thresholds for triggering green-up to a level where management actions are most effective. Invasive Listing Sources: Jil M. Swearingen, Survey of invasive plants occurring on National Park Service lands, 2000-2007 buffelgrass A non-native plant imported from Africa, this invasive species competes with native vegetation for moisture and nutrients within the soil. An invasive species is one that is non-native to the area it inhabits and that uses up resources that are necessary for native species to survive. PHOENIX – Every week, thousands of hikers climb Piestewa Peak to take in the views and get in some exercise. 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