A New Partnership between USGS and MSU: Integrated Management Systems for Aquatic and Terrestrial Invasive Species

September 27, 2004

The GeoResources Institute will be the lead research center for a new partnership between the U.S. Geological Survey Biological Resources Discipline and Mississippi State University that will target the burgeoning problem of invasive species. Nonnative plants, animals, and pathogens are a multi-billion dollar problem in the United States, impacting both agriculture and natural resources, including water resources. Invasive species of natural resources reduce natural diversity, wildlife habitat and negatively impact threatened and endangered species. Invasive species are the second leading cause after habitat destruction for decreases in biodiversity and species extinction.

With this new partnership, Mississippi State University will provide expertise in research, extension and outreach, and regional coordination of invasive species management efforts in Mississippi, the Mid-South, and nationally. Research will focus on MSU strengths of remote sensing, geospatially-oriented modeling, integrated management, and georeferenced database development. Extension and outreach will harness the power of the national-to-local network of the Mississippi State University-Extension Service to quickly disseminate research and information to end-users; those who are managing invasive species. In its role as a regional coordinator, the GeoResources Institute will facilitate the formation of Invasive Species Alliances in Mississippi and other Mid-South states, to enhance the exchange of information, database networking, and coordination of management efforts between public and private entities, across the Mid-South region.

Specific research areas include invasive aquatic and terrestrial invasive plants and invertebrates. For all species, MSU will be working with USGS to develop and disseminate techniques for Early Detection and Rapid Response (EDRR) as part of a national strategy.

Aquatic invasive plants of specific interest are waterhyacinth, hydrilla, and giant salvinia. Research will examine better methods for remote sensing and ground truthing, growth models tied to geospatial data, improved management techniques, and developing state and national databases on the occurrence of invasive aquatic plants.

Terrestrial invasive plant research will initially focus on cogongrass monitoring, detection and control, but will also include assessment of new potential invaders to Mississippi and the Mid-South.

The MSU effort on invasive invertebrates will focus on developing a regional and national detection network for the cactus moth, Cactoblastis cactorum, which has been introduced accidentally to the United States. MSU will work with USGS to develop a nation-wide monitoring network for and map locations of the cactus moth and to work intimately with federal and state agencies to respond to new infestations. The Southeastern United States will be the front line for preventing the spread of this insect to the Southwestern U.S. and Mexico, regions in which the role of cacti in natural and agricultural ecosystems is prominent. The Mississippi Entomological Museum at MSU will be the primary verification center for cactus moth identifications.

The MSU / USGS partnership is a multidisciplinary and multi-agency effort. Mississippi State University professors involved include Drs. Richard Brown (Entomology), Lori Bruce (Electrical and Computer Engineering), John Byrd, (Plant and Soil Science), Eric Dibble (Fisheries and Wildlife), Gary Ervin (Biology), John Madsen (GRI), and David Shaw (GRI). The USGS partnership is operating through the Invasive Species Program of the Biological Resources Discipline, cooperating with Drs. William Gregg and Randy Westbrooks of the National Invasive Species Program. Other cooperators include Drs. Kurt Getsinger (US Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Vicksburg, MS), James Grace (USGS National Wetland Research Center, Lafayette, LA), David Spencer (US Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service, Davis, CA), and Tom Stohlgren (USGS National Institute for Invasive Species Science, Fort Collins, CO).

For more information, contact Dr. John D. Madsen, jmadsen@gri.msstate.edu.