Forest Service collaboration generates new comprehensive invasive species assessment

As part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s focus on invasive species in April, the Northern Research Station is celebrating the completion of a major new work on invasive species that was developed by a team led by research entomologist/project leader Therese Poland of the Northern Research Station. “Invasive Species in Forests and Rangelands of the United States: A Comprehensive Science Synthesis for the United States Forest Sector,” was recently released as an open-access book by Springer Nature. The document can be downloaded through Treesearch.

Insect and Disease Survey by Subwatersheds (6th Level Hydrologic Unit Codes) proportion of treed area with damage from gypsy moth from 2011 to 2015.

Completing the synthesis engaged 115 authors, including Forest Service scientists and managers, other federal and state agencies, and university, non-government organization, and tribal land partners. The joint Research and Development, National Forest System and State and Private Forestry effort included experts from the Rocky Mountain, Pacific Northwest, Pacific Southwest, Southern, and Northern research stations, as well as State and Private Forestry and National Forest System experts from Forest Service regions.

Understanding the ecology of invasive species, their dynamics and complex ecological, economic and societal interactions is critical to improve prevention and management strategies and reduce impacts to humans and ecosystem services. “Invasive species are among the most significant environmental and economic threats facing our nation, and they continue to increase with expanding world trade and climate change. Science-based management is critical to achieve protection and restoration goals for our forests and grasslands,” said Cynthia West, director of the Northern Research Station and Forest Products Laboratory.

The synthesis offers leading-edge invasive species research, tools and technologies, and management strategies for invasive species of all taxonomic groups from insects and pathogens to plants, vertebrates and aquatic organisms affecting the United States and its territories. It presents the latest research on a wide range of natural science and social science fields that explore the ecology, impacts and practical tools for management of invasive species. Geographically focused regional summaries highlight the most important invasive species and issues impacting all regions of the country. This comprehensive review will be a valuable resource for scholars, policy makers, and natural resource managers and practitioners.

“Science and the status of invasive species will continue to evolve, and ongoing collaboration between scientists and managers across multiple agencies and stakeholders will be needed to ensure that science-based information is incorporated in strategies to prevent, detect, eradicate, and manage invasive species and protect and restore ecosystems they impact,” Poland said.

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