Research Priorities For Aquatic Invasive Species

Invasive species are one of the greatest threats to forest, range, aquatic, and urban forest ecosystem health. They contribute to the endangerment of native species and may lead to other severe ecological and financial consequences in our Nation's wild lands and urban forests. To ensure the continued production of needed goods, services, and values from our Nation's terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, the Forest Service, an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), must implement a strategic systems approach for managing invasive species. This book prioritises and guides the prevention, detection, and control of invasive insects, pathogens, plants, wildlife, and fish that threaten our Nation's terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Invasive species significantly impact US ecosystems and are one of the greatest threats to forest, rangeland, and urban forest health. They have contributed to increases in fire frequency and intensity; reduced water resources, forest growth, and timber; and negatively affected native species and their habitats throughout the United States. Global trade, climate change, and innovations in human transportation are just a few of the factors that have increased the rate of invasive species introduction and the costs associated with their prevention, quarantine, and management. Forest and rangeland managers urgently need effective management techniques to reduce invasive species' effects. In 2006, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), Forest Service Research and Development Invasive Species Strategic Program Area (SPA) solicited programmatic feedback through a formal external peer review. The SPA used this information to guide long-term national planning for our research program. The National Research and Development Invasive Species Strategy was revised to reflect this guidance, and research efforts were prioritized to address the challenges managers will face in the future. Scientists developed twelve visionary papers that responded to the feedback. The visionary papers identify future invasive species research issues and priorities and provide the Forest Service and its partners with a framework for programming and budgeting for the next twenty years.

Invasive species significantly impact U.S. ecosystems and are one of the greatest threats to forest, rangeland, and urban forest health. They have contributed to increases in fire frequency and intensity; reduced water resources, forest growth, and timber; and negatively affected native species and their habitats throughout the United States. Global trade, climate change, and innovations in human transportation are just a few of the factors that have increased the rate of invasive species introduction and the costs associated with their prevention, quarantine, and management. Forest and rangeland managers urgently need effective management techniques to reduce invasive species' effects.