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water tables. It is classified as a phreatophyte, stand of native trees(Pig. 3). A saltcellar-dominated meaning it uses very large amounts of groundwater. stream functions poorly, is unattractive,changes native Therefore,it lowers the water table that supplies habitats,supports less wildlife,spoils recreational uses springs and shallow wells. Dried up springs in Nevada and affects water quality. have recovered after the surrounding saltcedar has been Cattle,sheep and goats will graze Saltcedar but it is removed. nutritionally poor forage for both livestock and Saltcedar is able to use salty water. It does this by wildlife. They prefer not to eat it and only do so when absorbing the salts through cell membranes. It avoids little else is available. Cattle eat only the young the toxic effects by using special glands to excrete the sprouts early in the year. Aggressive grazing by sheep salts and by dropping salt-filled leaves. The leaves may provide some control,but overgrazing stimulates dropped each fall accumulate to a considerable depth suckering and speeds the area's conversion to a pure under the canopy. Through this process,Saltcedar acts saltcedar stand. as a salt pump concentrating salts from deep in the Saltcedar provides cover for wildlife,but animal ground onto the soil surface. Over time,salts in the and plant diversity is reduced. The impenetrable mulch layer kill existing plants and prevent others, stands make recreational access almost impossible on especially desirable forage species,from becoming foot,horse or vehicle. Hunting and fishing are greatly established. As a result,the ground under a saltcedar restricted. Rounding up livestock hiding in a thicket is or within a Saltcedar boscage is void of plants except, a chore. on occasion,another salt tolerant species. CONTROL STRATEGIES SALTCEDAR ASSOCIATED PROBLEMS Effective management requires determination and a Studies in New Mexico and Utah show saltcedar uses four to thirteen acre-feet of water a year,much more water than native trees and shrubs. It has an extensive,deep root system that absorbs water from the i surrounding soil lowering the water table and killing most native plants. Competition for water resources in the west is growing yearly,especially where large saltcedar communities exist. A normallyfunctionin health river g, y (Fig.2)has a „x Figure 3. Saltcedar stands along the Muddy River at Glendale,NPprevent fishing. multi-year commitment. Efforts should be taken to prevent site disturbances by fire,overgrazing,and mechanical damage,that leave the site open for Saltcedar invasion. Elimination of upstream infestations is required to effectively control saltcellar in a watershed. Eradication of the plant immediately Figure 2.A variety of plants contribute to a after discovery is best before saltcedar becomes well healthy,functioning, beautiful river or stream. established. After saltcedar is removed,it is requisite that a competitive stand of desirable plants be narrow,deep,meandering flow. Saltcedar reduces a established to prevent reinvasion of the area by river's flow of water. It uses soil moisture that would saltcedar. usually contribute to the stream and traps sediment BIOLOGICAL CONTROL along the banks and in the river. This increases the Biological control applies natural enemies to weeds. size of the flood plain spreading water over a larger Insects,disease causing organisms,and livestock have area,which increases evaporation and water use by all been used in successful biological control efforts on plants(often extensive Saltcedar woods). When a variety of invasive weeds. infested with saltcellar,a healthy river becomes an Two insects,a mealy bug(Trabutina mannipara) impenetrable,unproductive saltcedar forest that may and leaf beetle(Diorhabda elongata),have been use one third more water from the river than a similar released in the United States to attack saltcedar. The