Invasive Plants in Southern California Carl E. Bell, Regional Advisor - Invasive Plants

California is world-famous for its diversity of topography and climate.  Because of this, California has some 5,000 different species of native plants -- the largest number of any of the states. San Diego County alone has over 2000 native plant species. Unfortunately, California has also become home to about 1,000 non-native plant species.  About 100 of these non-natives are invasive pest plants; about half of these are escaped horticultural plants.  These are not the weeds of agriculture or domestic landscapes; they are weeds of natural areas. These "invasive plants" have spread into California's wildlands, creating a host of problems:

 • Increasing the intensity, frequency, and size of wildfires
• Altering soil chemistry and nutrient levels
• Decreasing the available surface and below-ground water supply 
• Altering rates of sedimentation and erosion
• Displacing or out-competing native plant species
• Degrading or eliminating habitat for native animals and organisms
• Decreasing the habitat for threatened or endangered flora and fauna
• Providing habitat for undesirable non-native animals and organisms

FAQ's
Frequently asked questions about invasive plants.

C. Bell's CV and publications
My curriculum vitae and a list of peer-reviewed publications

Research and Education
Information on published and current research and educational activities