Invasive Species Research Program

Invasive species have significantly impacted US ecosystems and cost millions of dollars to prevent, detect and control. The Forest Service Research and Development Invasive Species Program provides the scientific information to address invasive species. We work with many partners, local and international scientists, land managers and concerned citizens to reduce, minimize, or eliminate the introduction, establishment, and spread of stop the invasive species threat.

Currently, the USDA Forest Service has more than 100 scientists or 65 full time scientist equivalents, in 39 work units, addressing research questions on more than 100 invasive species. Scientists are studying invasive species interactions with fire, recreation, watershed management, disturbance, climate change, wildlife, air quality, and other factors. We work to determine spread rates, means of transmission, host ranges, distribution, and impacts. We develop treatments, protocols for field monitoring and detection, and laboratory diagnostics, risk maps, models and assessments. Projects address issues at the international, national, statewide, county, and local level.

Between 2001 and 2006, Forest Service research scientists and their partners produced and delivered over 947 tools to customers. These tools include:

• 216 tools to predict and prevent invasive species introductions.
• 404 tools to detect, respond and eradicate recently introduced invasive species.
• 274 tools to manage and mitigate established invasive species.
• 109 tools to restore and maintain ecosystems.

Our scientists work throughout the continental United States: from Florida to Alaska and from Maine to California; in the tropical forests of Hawaii, the western Pacific, and Puerto Rico; and also conduct research internationally. Research is conducted in urban interface forests, wilderness, grasslands, plantations, utility corridors, watersheds and old-growth forests, wetlands, and aquatic systems.

The Forest Service R&D program is making a difference in the US Government’s efforts to reduce the negative effects of invasive species. The results of our research not only advance fundamental knowledge on the conditions that make species invasive and the ecological factors that regulate their behavior, but also contribute substantially to the detection, control, and mitigation of invasive species.

Research & Development Invasive Species Documents

A Dynamic Invasive Species Research Vision: Opportunities and Priorities 2009–29 

National Invasive Species Strategy, January 2010

Reference Databases used by R&D
Note: This website can be accessed only from Forest Service network.

US Forest Service
Last modified November 29, 2010
http://www.fs.fed.us