Some were planted as ornamentals by settlers. Others were introduced as cost-efficient forage for livestock. Settlement, which increased dramatically in the West in the late 1800s, altered both the landscape and the ecosystem. Over the years, a number of non-native plants such as Russian thistle and musk thistle have gained a foothold and invaded the range. Some plants, such as toadflax, which form solid stands, do not adequately hold the soil, thereby increasing erosion significantly.
Russian knapweed is toxic to livestock.
Today, wildlife will not forage on most of the non-native weeds that are invading northern New Mexico. Some of the invaders, such as yellow starthistle and Russian knapweed, are toxic to livestock and, if eaten, can cause a slow, horrible death. Straddled atop his four-wheeler, Dinkler rides in slow search of the enemy. Dinkler locates, maps, relocates and monitors weed infestation sites as part of an integrated weed management program. To fight these tenacious invaders, he must select from an arsenal of weaponry and defense tactics including hand removal, mechanical cultivation, selective herbicide applications and planting of competitive grasses.