Ecological Interactions in the Biological Control of Saltcedar (Tamarix spp.) in the United States: Toward a New Understanding

ABSTRACT ,,1 INTRODUCTION ,,4 THE SALTCEDAR PLANT AND THE DAMAGE IT CAUSES ,,8 Origin, Taxonomy, Invasion 8 Ecology of Saltcedar ,,10 Damage Caused by Saltcedar , 11 Native Plant Communities , , 11 Wildlife ,,12 Stream Channel Modification , 15 Water ,,1 5 Salinity ,,16 Fire ,,1 6 Recreational Usage , , 17 Agriculture ,,17 Native American Tribal Lands , , 17 SALTCEDAR vs. NATIVE PLANT COMMUNITIES ,,,18 Interactions with Human Modifications and Natural ,,,,18 Conditions - Competitive Advantage Dams and Flood Cycles , , 18 Channelization, Diversion and Pumping of Groundwater 19 Flooding and Inundation , , 20