INTRODUCTION

THE SILENT WILDFIRE - TELLING THE INVASIVE SPECIES STORY
The Western Forestry Leadership Coalition (WFLC) created this document to demonstrate the extent and devastation of western plant invasive species, a document that would spark interest and action. To accomplish this effort, the WFLC appointed a science-based task force to develop this primer on invasive plant species to give readers a sense of the scale and urgency of the invasives issue.

This document provides a sampling of invasive plant species in the West. It provides a snapshot of the invasive plant issue, extent, and the different approaches, challenges, and opportunities for coordinated actions within and across the major coarse-scale ecosystems of the Western United States. Invasive plant status and level to which they are being addressed varies greatly. Some plants such as salt cedar and spotted knapweed have received extensive research regarding ecological effects and control methods; other invasive plants are just beginning to move into natural systems, and there is limited research concerning their effects or potential treatment.

INVASIVE SPECIES – PREFACE
Invasive species can come in many forms such as insects, diseases, plants, and other taxa. The continued introduction and spread of invasive species along with catastrophic wildfire, are the two greatest natural resource threats facing western forests. Invasive plants already have taken over more than an estimated 133 million acres nationally and are continuing to spread to an additional 1.7 million acres every year. If we are to address this critical issue in the west we must understand how to facilitate and coordinate action to combat this forest threat. The WFLC is committed to be a partner in this effort and to help make a difference in the control of invasive plant species in the west.

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An Introduction to Invasive Plant Species in the West