Outline

Outline- Invasive Species 2/13/2012

Purpose: This paper will identify the major invasive plant species of New Mexico and investigate their effect on the ecosystem health and function of riparian systems and watersheds as whole. This paper will attempt a cost benefit analysis to better discuss the economic toll eradication efforts take on local economies throughout the Rocky Mountain West and whether these strategies are proven effective. Outline: A. Definition of Invasive Species 1. How most invasive got to US/ New Mexico and why a. obvious trends in migration and population growth II. Disruptions to ecological processes- ecological A. Case studies from the Rocky Mountain West and Southwest B. New Mexico Invasives a. Where these non-natives are from and their major offence b. Who is most concerned? Ranchers vs. Farmers IV. Effectiveness of eradication efforts (do the ends justify the means?) V. Are Invasive Species that bad? A. When does or should an invasive species become naturalized and considered part on the current/ local ecosystem? B. Adaptive management of invasives VI. Conclusion
 * 1) Background: Invasive Species
 * 1) Major vectors of dispersal
 * 1) Major invasive plant species in New Mexico
 * 1) Major invasive aquatic species in New Mexico
 * 2) Where are they from and why do we care?
 * 3) Who is most concerned? Irrigators vs. Dam Regulators
 * 4) Ecosystem health vs. function?
 * 5) Difference between ecosystem health and function.
 * 6) Can a “weed” be beneficial for function but detrimental to ecosystem health?
 * 1) Common mechanisms for control
 * 2) Mechanical control; harvesting and disposing of seed heads
 * 3) Pesticides
 * 4) BioControl
 * 5) Biological control methods used in NM
 * 6) Do biological controls work? Are they a good idea?
 * 7) The economics involved?
 * 8) What are eradication efforts costing us?
 * 9) Is eradication possible?
 * 10) Based on vector mechanisms can species that evolve to various dispersal mechanisms be contained?
 * 11) When is eradication possible and when is it impossible- population thresholds.