The lesser of two evils: what plant-plant competition and changing precipitation patterns could mean for invasive grass-fire cycles

Invasive grass-fire cycles are ravaging western North American deserts such as the Great Basin. Wildfires lead to the loss of crucial ecosystem services and economic value in deserts where fire has been historically infrequent. Many desert areas of the southwest are at a tipping point where exotic plants are increasing the size, frequency, and severity of wildfire. In the Mojave, two aggressive annual grasses are leading the charge on invasive grass-fires. However, plant competition and changing precipitation patterns due to climate change may play a crucial role in whether or not an invasive-grass fire cycle fully establishes.