Monster tumbleweed: Invasive new species is here to stay. (2019). Retrieved 23 August 2019, from https://phys.org/news/2019-08-monster-tumbleweed-invasive-species.html
The tumbleweed species Salsola ryanii was once predicted to go extinct, but is now rapidly expanding its territory. This gigantic tumbleweed is a hybrid species with two sets of chromosomes from each parent plant, known as polyploidy. As a result, the hybrid tumbleweed are healthier and more resilient than parent species. Tumbleweeds, especially those of significant size, cause property damage, traffic problems, and impact agricultural industry. As climate change progresses, the Salsola ryanii tumbleweed is gaining more territory and has become invasive in a total of 48 states. Researchers at the University of California, Riverside have identified an immediate need to inhibit tumbleweed growth in California.
As an invasive species, the Salsola ryanii tumbleweed has caused many issues, both environmental and civil. The tumbleweed is both pushing out native species by outcompeting rivaling plants, as well as contributing to soil erosion. Since many tumbleweed plants root on private properties, like ranches and agricultural properties, land owners should be made aware of how tumbleweeds may affect their own property and the environment as a whole.
This is shocking and I had no idea tumbleweed had become such a detrimental species to California’s environment. Do you think it is within the role of the government, more specifically the EPA, to aid in the containment of these plants in order to help landowners and native species?
It is odd to think that tumbleweed could be a rapidly exploding issue. Moreover it is very interesting that two plants had the capability to hybridize to potentially raise their survival chances. All around interesting topic for discussion.