Abstract
The Forest Service has identified invasive species as one of four significant threats to our Nation’s forest and rangeland ecosystems and likened the problem to a “catastrophic wildfire in slow motion.” Forest Service Research and Development (R&D) has a crucial role in providing insight and options to protect trees, forests, and ecosystems from the threat of invasive insects. Currently, Forest Service R&D, in close cooperation with Forest Health Protection, provides information crucial to the development of tools for studying, controlling, and mitigating several invasive insects in the United States, such as the Asian longhorned beetle, emerald ash borer, banded elm bark beetle, Mediterranean pine engraver, Sirex woodwasp, and hemlock woolly adelgid. Forest Service R&D also strives for a broad, principle-based framework applicable to current and future invasive insect problems. The historic breadth and depth of R&D charges this branch of the Forest Service with playing a leadership role in providing long-term, comprehensive, cross-cutting solutions. Clients and scientists have worked together to identify short- and long-term needs to enhance existing research. Examples of this vision are provided in this paper.
Parent Publication
Citation
Klepzig, Kier D.; Poland, Therese M.; Gillette, Nancy E.; Haack, Robert A.; Keena, Melody A.; Miller, Daniel R.; Montgomery, Michael E.; Seybold, Steven J.; Tobin, Patrick C. 2009. Forest Service R&D — Invasive Insects: Visions for the Future. In: Dix, Mary Ellen; Britton, Kerry, editors. A dynamic invasive species research vision: Opportunities and priorities 2009-29. Gen. Tech. Rep. WO-79/83. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Research and Development: 13-21.
