In a new case study from the University of California, Berkeley, grasses native to California could be given the boot by exotic species, mainly due to the warming climate. Biologists at the university classified the area covered by all 258 grasses that are native to California and 177 alien grasses in the state. They then estimated how exactly the pending climate change would affect them all.

Native Grasses Already Under Pressure

The native grasses of California are already in competition with the exotic imports for space. Native grasses tend to be smaller in stature and therefore are shaded by the taller alien species. Increased temperatures are also working against native grasses as they do not fair well in warmer climates. Add in a decrease in rainfall and the negative results of grazing herbivores like cow and elk and it is easy to see why native grasses do not need any more stress placed on them.

Exotic Grasses Encourage Wildfires and Food Crops to be Attacked

Alien species of grasses tend to flourish in warmer temperatures. Due to the climate change, temps all over California are rising and in turn could start to push out native grasses even faster. These invasive exotic species become parched during the summer months, leaving themselves prone to catching fire much more easily than native grasses. If that were not enough, certain species of alien grasses function as storage tanks for viruses and other bacteria that invade food crops. Other species gulp down the water that would typically be utilized by the native plants and grasses. One species in particular, the European beach grass, conceals deer mice that consume lupines, a native grass that is endangered. This detrimental exotic beach grass has overrun the majority of coasts in not only California, but Oregon and Washington as well.

Climate Change Is not the Only Way these Exotic Species Will Spread

As the climate becomes hotter and changes, so will the dispersion of the exotic grasses. While it is true that these invasive plants love hot weather, it is not the only way these species will be distributed across the state. Human interaction with nature is another way the native grasses could disappear from the Golden State. Areas accommodating native grasses that are disturbed by humans can be exposed to invasive exotic species. Once introduced, it does not take long for alien grasses to overrun the native species and if this happens enough, it could be permanently.