The Weeds Atlas
Weeds and invasive plants know no borders and have impacted ecosystems that span from crops to forests to rangelands to aquatic systems in all geographies. Losses continue to mount in terms of yields and productivity, species diversity, and ecosystem functionality with short and long-term repercussions on the sustainability of plant and animal communities and the livelihoods of growers, producers, and land and business owners. New and emerging invasive plants along with many of the most intractable weeds have undermined even the best control efforts, which serves as a reminder of the constant need for improvement. One of the main reasons for the success of weeds and invasive plants is their ability to adapt to changing conditions and research suggests that this will continue well into the future.
In spite of the daunting challenges posed by weeds and invasive plants, integrated management, several effective chemistries, and the development of new technology are signaling that ongoing and renewed efforts are worthwhile. However, coordination is needed to better address the problem of weeds and invasive plants at the national level. Federal agencies and several non-profits have some of the largest land holdings, while many universities and colleges work closely with practitioners and managers who oversee a diversity of agroecosystems and natural areas. Thus, there is an urgent and pressing need to be better informed across groups, organizations, and agencies about research and management activities targeting weeds and invasive plants. Hence, The Weeds Atlas!
The Weeds Atlas is a tool that allows for the monitoring of weed and invasive plant activities across the United States. By entering simple information that provides a brief description of the target species, location, and activity, all can contribute, and all can benefit. Contact information allows for inquiries to obtain further details on a specific location or target species. The Weeds Atlas is meant to address coordination and collaboration efforts across both research and management activities in the U.S. from all who are interested in weeds and invasive plants. So, go ahead and submit your data today!
Weeds Atlas Form
Record your target invasive plant research or management activities and geographic location of your effort.
Weeds Atlas Dashboard
Check back as often as necessary to see who is working on what and where.