A Dynamic Invasive Species Research Vision

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.