National Strategic Framework for Invasive Species Management
Country
Type of law
Policy
Abstract
The National Strategic Framework for Invasive Species Management is a national sectoral strategy of the United States of America. Its purpose is to provide broad strategic direction for the Forest Service’s programs, spanning the NFS, Research and Development (R&D), and State and Private Forestry (S&PF) Deputy Areas, and International Programs. This document supersedes the National Strategy and Implementation Plan for Invasive Species Management (2004) and is intended to clarify the roles of the deputy areas of the Forest Service regarding invasive species and enhance internal coordination of agency invasive species programs. This Framework is a guide for the agency’s full suite of invasive species research and management activities and is consistent with existing law, policy, and other direction at the field, regional, and national levels.
The Forest Service will focus on four key elements for invasive species research and management: Prevention; Detection; Control and Management; and Restoration and Rehabilitation. These four elements are not separate and distinct from one another; they overlap and form an integrated adaptive approach for addressing invasive species. Furthermore, this strategy facilitates integrated funding for all four elements; none can stand alone. For example, Early Detection and Rapid Response (EDRR) is a commonly used approach that combines two of the elements. Early detection of a species is paired with control actions, such as physically removing the invader or applying pesticides to eliminate it.
Element 1. Prevention. Keep invasive species out of the Nation’s forests and grasslands and identify potential introduction pathways for known threats. Forest Service prevention efforts include the following actions. P1—Identify, forecast, and prioritize invasive species threats. Many invasive species are already established in the United States but are not yet widespread. Knowledge of which species are already present in a region, State, forest, or district, or are likely to be introduced into these areas, can guide prevention efforts. P2—Identify high-risk pathways of movement and introduction. Numerous pathways (or vectors) introduce exotic species, some of which might become invasive, to the United States. Identifying pathways that pose the greatest risk for the introduction of invasive species and, if appropriate, following up with focused actions will help prevent introduction and spread. P3—Identify vulnerable ecosystems. Knowing which resources are the most threatened by a particular invasive species and what the impacts are on an ecosystem will help prioritize detection and management efforts. P4—Improve cooperative efforts. Invasive species prevention requires the efforts of multiple agencies, organizations, communities, and individuals. Crucial steps for establishing effective cooperative efforts include identifying local and regional partners, actively participating in cooperative efforts, and helping to identify and obtain sufficient and appropriate funding to support prevention activities. P5—Recommend, program, and implement appropriate actions to prevent introduction and establishment of target invasive species. Local, State, regional, and Federal actions are important in preventing the movement of invasive species. Once high-risk invasive species and their pathways are identified, actions should be taken to prevent their establishment.
Element 2. Detection. Survey to detect new invasive species and monitor existing priority species. Forest Service detection actions include the following: D1—Survey effectively to detect new invasive species and monitor priority species. Discovery and correct rapid identification of newly arrived species is critical for their eradication. Early detection and continued monitoring of established species are critical to slowing their spread. D2—Evaluate the extent and severity of invasive species infestations and assess their potential impacts. Delimiting the extent of an infestation is important for selecting appropriate control actions. Invasive species infestations that are widespread might need to be treated differently than small or isolated infestations that can be eradicated. D3—Report invasive species detection findings in standardized databases. Access to information on invasive species distribution is important when determining management actions. Information from detection and delimiting surveys should be entered into standardized databases, such as http://foresthealth.fs.usda.gov/portal and Natural Resource Manager—Natural Resource Information System, so that information can be shared quickly and widely. All invasive species inventories and infestation maps will be shared among land management and regulatory agencies, States, and other partners to monitor population trends and treatment effectiveness. D4—Develop tools and techniques to detect and monitor invasive species. Improving the availability and effectiveness of detection tools will help achieve earlier detection of new infestations and lower eradication and management costs. Less costly and more effective monitoring tools will facilitate improved efficiencies in invasive species management.
Element 3. Control and management. Directly eradicate (if possible), control, or manage priority invasive species on priority acres to minimize their spread and adverse effects. Forest Service control and management actions include the following actions: CM1—Coordinate as needed with partners. CM2—Prioritize and implement treatments. CM3— Implement rapid response for new infestation in response to new invasions. CM4—Monitor and report accomplishments in standardized databases. CM5—Develop the tools, technologies, methods, and budgetary processes necessary to prioritize and eradicate or manage invasive species.
Element 4. Restoration and rehabilitation. Minimize or reverse adverse ecosystem effects caused by invasive species. Forest Service restoration and rehabilitation actions include the following actions: RR1—Identify and prioritize restoration and rehabilitation needs. RR2—Take actions to restore, monitor, and maintain affected areas. RR3—Assess effectiveness of rehabilitation and restoration activities. RR4—Develop, synthesize, and evaluate effective rehabilitation and restoration tools, technologies, and methods.
The Forest Service will focus on four key elements for invasive species research and management: Prevention; Detection; Control and Management; and Restoration and Rehabilitation. These four elements are not separate and distinct from one another; they overlap and form an integrated adaptive approach for addressing invasive species. Furthermore, this strategy facilitates integrated funding for all four elements; none can stand alone. For example, Early Detection and Rapid Response (EDRR) is a commonly used approach that combines two of the elements. Early detection of a species is paired with control actions, such as physically removing the invader or applying pesticides to eliminate it.
Element 1. Prevention. Keep invasive species out of the Nation’s forests and grasslands and identify potential introduction pathways for known threats. Forest Service prevention efforts include the following actions. P1—Identify, forecast, and prioritize invasive species threats. Many invasive species are already established in the United States but are not yet widespread. Knowledge of which species are already present in a region, State, forest, or district, or are likely to be introduced into these areas, can guide prevention efforts. P2—Identify high-risk pathways of movement and introduction. Numerous pathways (or vectors) introduce exotic species, some of which might become invasive, to the United States. Identifying pathways that pose the greatest risk for the introduction of invasive species and, if appropriate, following up with focused actions will help prevent introduction and spread. P3—Identify vulnerable ecosystems. Knowing which resources are the most threatened by a particular invasive species and what the impacts are on an ecosystem will help prioritize detection and management efforts. P4—Improve cooperative efforts. Invasive species prevention requires the efforts of multiple agencies, organizations, communities, and individuals. Crucial steps for establishing effective cooperative efforts include identifying local and regional partners, actively participating in cooperative efforts, and helping to identify and obtain sufficient and appropriate funding to support prevention activities. P5—Recommend, program, and implement appropriate actions to prevent introduction and establishment of target invasive species. Local, State, regional, and Federal actions are important in preventing the movement of invasive species. Once high-risk invasive species and their pathways are identified, actions should be taken to prevent their establishment.
Element 2. Detection. Survey to detect new invasive species and monitor existing priority species. Forest Service detection actions include the following: D1—Survey effectively to detect new invasive species and monitor priority species. Discovery and correct rapid identification of newly arrived species is critical for their eradication. Early detection and continued monitoring of established species are critical to slowing their spread. D2—Evaluate the extent and severity of invasive species infestations and assess their potential impacts. Delimiting the extent of an infestation is important for selecting appropriate control actions. Invasive species infestations that are widespread might need to be treated differently than small or isolated infestations that can be eradicated. D3—Report invasive species detection findings in standardized databases. Access to information on invasive species distribution is important when determining management actions. Information from detection and delimiting surveys should be entered into standardized databases, such as http://foresthealth.fs.usda.gov/portal and Natural Resource Manager—Natural Resource Information System, so that information can be shared quickly and widely. All invasive species inventories and infestation maps will be shared among land management and regulatory agencies, States, and other partners to monitor population trends and treatment effectiveness. D4—Develop tools and techniques to detect and monitor invasive species. Improving the availability and effectiveness of detection tools will help achieve earlier detection of new infestations and lower eradication and management costs. Less costly and more effective monitoring tools will facilitate improved efficiencies in invasive species management.
Element 3. Control and management. Directly eradicate (if possible), control, or manage priority invasive species on priority acres to minimize their spread and adverse effects. Forest Service control and management actions include the following actions: CM1—Coordinate as needed with partners. CM2—Prioritize and implement treatments. CM3— Implement rapid response for new infestation in response to new invasions. CM4—Monitor and report accomplishments in standardized databases. CM5—Develop the tools, technologies, methods, and budgetary processes necessary to prioritize and eradicate or manage invasive species.
Element 4. Restoration and rehabilitation. Minimize or reverse adverse ecosystem effects caused by invasive species. Forest Service restoration and rehabilitation actions include the following actions: RR1—Identify and prioritize restoration and rehabilitation needs. RR2—Take actions to restore, monitor, and maintain affected areas. RR3—Assess effectiveness of rehabilitation and restoration activities. RR4—Develop, synthesize, and evaluate effective rehabilitation and restoration tools, technologies, and methods.
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Repealed
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English
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