Success in Biological Control

Authors: WEYL, PHILIP - Centre For Agriculture & Biosciences International (CABI); ANDREAS, JENNIFER - Washington State University Extension Service; Lake, Ellen; MILAN, JOSEPH - Bureau Of Land Management; RANDALL, CAROL - Us Forest Service (FS)

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/11/2021
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Invasive plant species are typically managed once they start causing economic or ecological impacts above a perceived damage threshold. Biological control can offer a cost effective and sustainable method of control or management. However, how do we know when biological control is successful? Success is defined as having accomplished an aim or purpose and requires that the goal is clearly defined at the outset. When applied to biological weed control, this usually involves reducing the population of the invasive plant species below a certain damage threshold, but not eradication. This threshold will vary depending on the invasive plant species and habitat. Understanding the opportunities and limitations of a biological control approach will facilitate making decisions between weed control methods and help manage expectations. In some cases, biological control alone will be sufficient, while in others an integrated management approach will be necessary to reduce the population of the invasive plant to levels that achieve the intended goal. In this presentation we will discuss what to expect when using biological control, and how success is defined in different scenarios.

Technical Abstract: Typically, invasive plant species are managed once they start causing economic or ecological impacts above a perceived damaging threshold. Biological control can offer a cost effective and sustainable method of control or management, but how do we know when biological control is successful? Success is defined as having accomplished an aim or purpose and requires that the goal is clearly defined at the outset. When applied to biological weed control, this usually involves reducing the population of the invasive plant species below a certain damage threshold and not eradication. Depending on the invasive plant species and habitat, this threshold will vary, and an understanding of the opportunities and limitations of biological control, will guide in the decision-making process and help manage expectations. In some cases, biological control alone will be sufficient, while in others an integrated management approach will be necessary to bring the population of the invasive plant to levels that achieve the intended goal. In this presentation we will discuss using real world examples, what to expect when using biological control and how success is defined in different scenarios.