SS 7: Effective Use of Models to Improve Field Management of Biological Invasions: Progress and Future Needs

Session Organizer(s)

• Bo Zhang

  Oklahoma State University
  Stillwater, OK, USA

Volunteer(s)

• Savannah Fuqua

  Point Reyes National Seashore Association
  Point Reyes, California, United States

Biological invasion management is a costly endeavor, with new areas constantly being invaded and new invaders perpetually appearing. Resources for management are limited, thus managers need to be efficient in how they use what they have, especially when managing large areas or extensive invasions. A large body of mathematical models of biological invasion have been developed to help determine optimal strategies to achieve the maximum return from management investment. Unfortunately, we still do not have adequate knowledge to generalize the optimal strategies in the field because little empirical work has been done to validate existing conclusions from the modeling work.

This special session brings a diverse panel of theoretical ecologists and field invasion biologists and managers to address the critical gaps between invasion management and modeling work. During this session we will initiate a broader dialogue with attendees to discuss how a variety of developed models can be used to inform on-the-ground management, identify major challenges that inhibit field application of modeling findings, and propose potential solutions to these challenges. These solutions are expected to facilitate communication between modelers and land managers, contributing to more efficient incorporation of relevant modeling results into management activities. This session aims to create a culture and common language in which long-term interactions and interdisciplinary teams between managers and modelers can be built, as increased collaboration and communication between these groups will ultimately improve our ability to manage invasive species.

Presentations:

• ON DEMAND

  Bioeconomic modeling for plant invasion management
  

  Presenting Author: Rebecca Epanchin-Niell – Resources for the Future
• ON DEMAND

  Data taming in invasion science: Bridging the gap between models and implementation
  

  Presenting Author: Julie Lockwood – Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Natural Resources, Rutgers University
• ON DEMAND

  How to invade an open adaptive ecological network
  

  Presenting Author: Cang Hui – Stellenbosch University
• ON DEMAND

  Transients and the management of invasive species
  

  Presenting Author: Alan Hastings – Dept. of Environmental Science and Policy, University of California, Davis
• ON DEMAND

  Using models to develop efficient strategies for invasive species eradication and barrier zones
  

  Presenting Author: Andrew Liebold – US Forest Service Northern Research Station