The aggressive spread of invasive non-native species poses a serious threat to the native plants and animal species of North America. Billions of dollars are wasted due to the economic and agricultural impact of these plants. The non-native plants also play a significant role in altering the ecosystem functions such as wildfire occurrences, its frequency and nutrient cycling. This project investigated different exotic plants found on the Colorado plateau. Six different plant species were considered, and we analyzed their effects on native plants, animals, humans and the environment. The impacts of these plants on agriculture and economy are explored in detail and the control measures that can be used to prevent the invasion of these species is also discussed.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Lama, Dolkar Lhamo
• Patel, Divya G.
• Mathew, Nobel Sam

Subject

• Sustainability
• Environment
• Well-Being
• Community
• Security

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• 03D199I

Keyword

• Habitat conservation
• Sustainability
• Introduced organisms
• Agriculture

Advisor

• Crusberg, Theodore C.

Year

• 2003

Date created

• 2003-01-01

Location

• Worcester

Resource type

• Interactive Qualifying Project

Rights statement

• In Copyright