2014 Research Highlights
Examining the Role of Humans in the Spread of Invasive Species
Scientists and collaborators with the Eastern Threat Center have contributed innovative research to the field of forest pest risk assessment by focusing on pathways for the human-assisted spread of forest pest species. A recently published article in the journal Biological Invasions provides estimated annual rates of establishment of non-native forest insect species for more than 3,000 US urban areas. The research is based on historical data on merchandise imports and insect incursions to the United States, pest interceptions at US ports of entry, and international and domestic freight shipment networks.
The analysis anticipates where and how often invasive alien forest insects are likely to be established in the United States to assist decision makers and offer guidance for border control efforts, post-border surveillance, and rapid-response measures. Researchers have also developed similar non-native forest insect establishment rate estimates for Canada based on trade, and have analyzed travel patterns of campers in the United States and associated firewood transport—a practice that can introduce forest pests into new and often remote areas. With respect to the latter, the researchers have developed a network model of camper travel and firewood movement that facilitates two-way analysis of forest pest invasion pathways: identifying the likeliest destinations if a pest were to spread from a currently infested location, or alternatively, the likeliest origins for a recently discovered infestation in a location of interest. These projects have resulted in several publications, including articles in the Journal of Economic Entomology, Diversity and Distributions, and PLoS ONE. The research results provide key data to support and improve future forest pest risk assessments.
External Partners/Collaborators: Canadian Forest Service; USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service; Michigan State University
Contact: Frank Koch, (919) 549-4006, frank.h.koch@usda.gov
Right: A camper transports firewood. Photo by Rebekah D. Wallace, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org.
