Improving Environmental Techniques of Controlling

Invasive Weeds

Alan SiergiejENV 34004/17/14

Biocontrol- What is it?

Controlling of invasive species using its natural enemy

Often a last resort

Becoming a better choice, not the only choice

Knowing the Difference Invasive Species:

Negative and Aggressive

Extinction or Local Extinction

Unhealthy Ecosystem

Alien Species:

Neutral or Positive

Diversify

Maintain or Improve Ecosystem

How Does it Work?

Become familiar with the invader

Learn about its natural enemies

Research and experiment

Release

Continue to observe

The Goal of Biocontrol

The Risks Involved Costly

Long-term benefits

Time consuming

Not if started initially

Backfiring

Not if done properly

Other Options

Fires:

Backfire

Damage other organisms

Harm to local population

Manually:

Time consuming

Damaging other organisms

Environmental damage

Pesticides:

Super-Weeds

Environmental damage

Damaging other organisms

Future Research

Speeding up research times

Finding more cost effective ways

Prevention

Conclusion Has Its risks

Benefits out-weigh the risks

Not the only choice, but the first choice

Research, research, and more research!

References: Biocontrol of Icerya with Rodolia in the Galapagos [Internet].

[Updated 2013 Jan 11]. Regents of the University of California; [cited 2014 April 14]. Available from : http://biocontrol.ucr.edu/rodolia/rodolia_icerya_biocontrol_galapagos.html

Biological control of weeds [Internet]. [Updated 2013 Feb 01]. CSIRO; [cited 2014 April 14]. Available from: http://www.csiro.au/Outcomes/Food-and-Agriculture/WeedBiocontrol.aspx

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Hultine K R, Belnap J, van Riper III C, Ehleringer J R, Dennison P E, Lee M E, & West J B. 2010. Tamarisk biocontrol in the western United States: ecological and societal implications. Frontiers In Ecology & The Environment, 8(9): 467-474.