Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared in the Moab Sun News. Tamarisk is one of the worst invasive plants in the arid west of North America; it has taken over entire riparian ecosystems and is all but impossible to mechanically eradicate. The controversial importation of its native companion beetle species has had mixed results. DGR Colorado Plateau invites discussion on restoring native plant communities. Diorhabda carinulata, the Tamarisk Beetle ...
The weird orange skies over the Colorado Plateau the last few days are from hot winds and blowing dust. These conditions are a preview of what’s to come, as a warming atmosphere intensifies weather and overgrazing and off-road vehicles disturb ever more fragile desert soil crusts, creating more erosion like this. These storms also spread weed seeds of Russian thistle (tumbleweed) and cheat grass into damaged sandy soils, where they find perfect conditions for colonization. The destruction of the planet is not abstract and it doesn’t affect only poor people and other species. It is a physical war with many victims, everywhere. ...