Bromus tectorumThis plant is widespread in the state and has been designated a Class C Noxious Weed by the New Mexico Department of Agriculture.Read more...
Wildfires
These are plants that present a significant fire risk. This could be from the creation of a vegetative fuel ladder, from the plant’s die off timing, or by otherwise altering the ecology such that fires are more likely to start and spread. Invasive species tend to form monocultures; one of the impacts of this is that when the plants die up and dry, they become thick layers of kindling for already raging fires to fuel from, or can themselves start new fires. In addition, some noxious plants actually use fire to their advantage, using it to disperse their seeds and kill off any vulnerable competition. Over time, as these fire-loving plants take over an ecosystem, they change it to suit their preferred conditions, which means more fires that burn hotter and spread uncontrollably.
Plants included in this category have been documented to negatively impact the fire regime in our region.