1. Invasive Species National Assessment
USDA Forest Service Research & Development
State of the Science for Non-Native Invasive Species
–A National Assessment–
The USDA Forest Service works with a wide assortment of partners to detect, respond to, and manage non-native invasive species that threaten the Nation’s wildland and urban forests and rangelands, but a current comprehensive, and integrated assessment of the state of invasive species science and research is lacking. Increased science focus on quantifying invasive species biology, interactions, and impacts, along with managing invasive species and altered ecosystems were identified as major priorities in a Forest Service Technical Report, A Dynamic Invasive Species Research Vision: Opportunities and Priorities In December 2015, a national stakeholder workshop was held in Phoenix, Arizona with leading experts on invasive pests, climate change, social sciences, and forest and rangeland management to highlight the science and identify knowledge gaps in a diverse array of topics related to invasive species. A major outcome of the workshop will be a USDA FS General Technical Report that synthesizes the available information on invasive species science in one place. The Technical Report will be linked to the climate change assessment, and will provide the basis for elevating the impact of future research programs.
Dying ash trees, Photo provided by L. Bauer, NRS
Yellow star thistle, Photo provided by D. Pearson, RMRS
Challenges and Opportunities
(Research Priorities and Gaps)
Examples of research priorities and gaps identified by USDA FS R&D scientists and Forest Health Protection professionals and allied resource professionals during the workshop were:
Ecological Issues:
Understand host and ecosystem vulnerability to non-native invasive species (IS)
Determine if we can predict invasiveness from IS biology and IS responses to stressors
Understand mechanisms of how IS kill trees, disperse, and cause impacts
Quantify cascading and cumulative impacts of IS to ecosystems and across ecosystems
Evaluate extent to which IS irreversibly change ecosystem processes and affect efficacy of restoration
Determine non-target effects of management and secondary invasions
Determine linkages of environmental gradients/climate change to ecosystem responses to IS
Evaluate interactions and impacts of IS on below-ground processes
Develop dynamic spatial and spread models and integrate multiple models
Management Issues:
Improve monitoring for presence, distribution, and impact of IS
Apply transgenic approaches as management tools vs solutions for IS
Conduct large-scale, long-term studies to track changes for management use
Develop post-treatment monitoring to evaluate management efficacy
Improve capacity to address uncertainty in management decisions
Social Issues:
Integrate human and health dimensions with IS issues
Determine social values, costs and benefits, demographics, and land-use changes related to IS
Enhance communication between social scientists, economists, and biologists working on IS
Use benefit cost analyses to identify economic injury levels of IS
Improve the assessment of non-market values of ecosystem and IS impacts
Develop a centralized web-based storehouse for IS data coordination
Restore infrastructure for species restoration following treatments for IS
Invasive Species Discussion Topics and Issues
At the workshop, leading experts from many federal and state agencies and universities shared highlights of research progress and participated in discussions to prioritize topics and issues related to invasive species.
Discussion topics included:
Impacts of Invasive Species on Ecosystem Processes and Structures
Climate Change and Invasive Species
Influence of Natural Disturbances on Invasive Species
Management and Prevention
Risk Assessment
Tools and Technologies
Changing the Culture of Invasive Species Science and Management
International Perspectives
Economic Consequences of Invasive Species
Challenges and Opportunities
Oak wilt ,Photo provided by J. Juzwik, NRS
Feral hogs, Photo provided by M. Schwartz RMRS
Invasive Species National Assessment Planning Committee Members
Toral Patel-Weynand, Washington Office
Deborah Hayes, Washington Office
Deborah Finch, Rocky Mountain Research Station
Jennifer Juzwik, Northern Research Station
Chelcy Miniat , Southern Research Station
Therese Poland, Northern Research Station
Steven Seybold, Pacific Southwest Research Station
Photo provided by J. Pineda
For Additional Information on the Invasive Species National Assessment, Contact:
Washington Office, Toral Patel-Weynand, Director Sustainable Forest Management Research, Phone: (202)
Washington Office, Deborah Hayes, National Program Leader, Phone: (229)
Acknowledgements: We greatly appreciate the efforts of Tara Haan Karel, Jasmine Pineda, and Richard Zabel, who facilitated the workshop.