Which group of plants most often causes weed problems that require management?

The group of plants that most often causes weed problems needing management is nonnative plants. Nonnative species, which are not originally from the local ecosystem, can easily become invasive and disrupt the balance of native flora and fauna. These plants often lack natural predators in the new environment, allowing their populations to grow unchecked. They can outcompete native plants for resources such as light, water, and nutrients, leading to a decline in biodiversity. Effective management of these nonnative species is crucial to prevent their spread and to protect native ecosystems.

While invasive species are often a subset of nonnative species, not all nonnative plants become problematic. Native plants support local wildlife and ecosystems, and submerged plants can play vital roles in maintaining aquatic environments, so they are typically not considered problematic in the same way as nonnative plants.