U.S. Department of the InteriorU.S. Geological SurveyU.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Future Challenges

The Initial Workshop on USGS/FWS Future Challenges

Summary of Invasive Species Breakout Session

2

Science Needed to Address Challenge

• Framework– Prevention

– Early Detection

– Control

– Eradication

– Restoration

– Coordination

3

Science Needed to Address Challenge

• Applied Research for Control and Eradication– Chemical

– Biological

– Physical

– Secondary effects

4

Science Needed to Address Challenge

• Integrated Science Approach

• Focus on Methods and Tools for Prevention, Early Detection, Monitoring, Risk Assessment, and Control

5

Science Needed to Address Challenge

• Pathways– Assessment of priority pathways and vectors

(ornamental plant trade and pet trade)

– Prediction of harm from alien species

– Influence of pathways on introduction and spread of invasives in ecosystem and communities

6

Science Needed to Address Challenge

• Basic Ecological Research– Basic species biology on invasives

– Ecology and impacts of invasives

– Science of below ground effects

• Database Interoperability and Integration

7

Science Needed to Address Challenge

• Mapping/Modeling– Smart monitoring protocols

– Ecological modeling• Spatial

• Niche

– Economic analysis and studies

– Improved forecasting and assessment

– Invasive species risk maps• Where to spend early detection money

8

Science Needed to Address Challenge

• Mapping/Modeling (continued)– Systematic methods of assessment

• Document effects of conservation lands and native species

– National mapping, monitoring and assessment tied to technical assistance

9

Science Needed to Address Challenge

• Control/Restoration Applied Research– Systemic methods of control

– Innovative control techniques

– Biotechnology tools to understand invasives

– Aquatic invasives• Chemicals

– Methodology for farm fish

– EPA chemical registration

10

Science Needed to Address Challenge

• Control/Restoration Applied Research (continued)– Research on restoration scenarios

• What to plant after invasives are removed

– Leverage Homeland Security tools

• Economic Modeling of Costs and Benefits

11

Resource Management Strategies Needed

• Planning– HCPs, CCPs, FMPs, Recovery Plans need to contain

concrete invasives management strategies including re-directing resources (human, $$)

– Management plan for native species and native ecosystems

– Goals and plans for partnerships needed in management plans

– Include monitoring strategies in management plans

12

Resource Management Strategies Needed

• Legislation and National Policy– Close the door on invasives coming in

• Regulatory control for species coming in and going out

• Coordinate existing authorities; develop new authorities

• Develop new authority to prevent importation of suspect species

– Policies and guidelines for use of innovative (biotech) tools

13

Research Management Strategies Needed

• Legislation and National Policy (continued)– Redirect resources for invasives (e.g., grants,

national map for monitoring and assessment)

• Outreach and Education– Communication strategy to educate on control

methodologies

– Outreach strategies needed in management plans

14

Research Management Strategies Needed

• Field Operations– SOPs for not spreading invasives/pathogens

ourselves in refuges and hatcheries

– National coordination of Strike Teams

– Reporting control costs

– Develop and share restoration strategies

– Dedicated personnel to invasives on refuges

– Use assessments to prevent and control

15

Partnerships

• USGS/FWS Leadership – Engaged at the national level

• International– Regulatory agencies to close the door (e.g., State

Department, USDA, USTR)

16

Partnerships

• Regional– Canada

– Mexico

– Trilateral, NAFTA-CEC, NAPPO

17

Partnerships

• Federal– NISC

– FICMNEW

– ANSTF

– ITAP (in development)

• USDA, Forest Service, DOD, EPA, NOAA-Fisheries, NASA

18

Partnerships

• DOI Land Management Agencies– Invasive Species Group

• USGS/FWS– Science Support Program

– Training programs

– Youth Conservation Corps

19

Partnerships

• State and Local– IAFWA– Friends groups– State invasive species councils– Other labor pools

• Others– NGOs– University colleagues– Institute of Invasive Species Science

20

Pearls of Wisdom

• 4600 acres of Federal land are infested with invasive species every day

• 100 million acres of Federal land are infested with invasive species

• Invasives is a primary factor in species endangerment

• “Those who know HOW will always follow those who know WHY”

21

Pearls of Wisdom

• Look outside your fishbowl!

• “You can’t solve problems at the level they are created.” (Einstein)

• “You can always count on America to do the right thing…after all other possibilities have been exhausted.” (Winston Churchill)

• “Million Watchful Eyes”

22

Top Priorities/Next Steps

• Action Areas– Management

– Education

– Policy and Regulation

– Information Management

23

Top Priorities/Next Steps: Short-term

• Identify champions at all levels

• Obtain leadership decision to direct resources to invasives

• Include invasive species in all management plans

• Identify incipient infestations (even outside boundaries)

24

Top Priorities/Next Steps: Short-term

• Describe current status of managing non-natives including outcomes

• Establish monitoring priorities re: invasives

• Develop Citizen Outreach Plan– Involvement plan

– Management of citizen science to determine involvement and early detection

– “Million Watchful Eyes”

25

Top Priorities/Next Steps: Short-term

• Identify effective chemicals registered with EPA

• Initiate dialogues about closing the door

• Develop synthesis and catalog of science underway– Directory of resources

– Working group to review existing plans and synthesize

26

Top Priorities/Next Steps: Short-term

• Initiate passback conversation with BLM

• Assemble work group by October to identify Top 10 Studies– Direct resources

– Influence budget

27

Top Priorities/Next Steps: Long-term

• Build the WILL to take action

• Improve local to global consultation and coordination

• Review authorities and recommend to Directors legislation needed to fill gaps (e.g., Invasive Species Act)

• Move toward greater emphasis on prevention and early detection

28

Top Priorities/Next Steps: Long-term

• Develop national ecological forecasting

• Create similar emphasis for combating invasive species as exists for protecting endangered species

• Measure effectiveness against long-term specific goal(s)

• Monitor adaptive management strategies

• Build or buy taxonomists