This proposal seeks funding for research, development, implementation and information/ extension delivery for a multi-state/-agency effort for the management of invasive plant species that are affecting the sustainability of agriculture and native ecosystem in several western states. In 1998, the Saltcedar Consortium was established to assist in the organization and management of saltcedar (Tamarix spp). Since then, the Consortium has worked to develop research objectives, operational protocols, implementation plans, and methods of assessing accomplishments compared to original and adaptive project goals. It is composed of over 30 federal, state and private groups, including those with strong agricultural (e.g. the California Cattlemens Association) and environmental (e.g. The Nature Conservancy) perspectives. In addition, many affiliated groups (see Appendix A), all believe that action must be taken to stop the spread and destruction caused by saltcedar and other associated pest plants. Due to the nature of the widespread problem of invasive plants in western riparian ecosystems, and the range of negative impacts of these plants on ecosystem services and functions, the Consortium has been expanded. Here we present a holistic approach that requires the participation and coordination of a wide range of scientific and on-the-ground management expertise to control a suite of invasive species. To address these issues, this consortium proposal has been developed with the goal of achieving better integration and cooperation among member groups and ultimately a more sustainable management program for invasive weeds on western watersheds. Thirteen invasive species test sites in six western states have been formalized with state and federal agencies, private land owners and two different Native American tribes, each of whom are involved in program implementation efforts. Three in-depth research and development teams have been formed to provide supporting information and technology to a large-scale implementation effort. A risk/benefit assessment team has also been formed to evaluate the impact of the target invasive species and proposed biological control program on target and non-target species.

Although the original focus of the Consortium was the development and implementation of biologically-based management strategies for saltcedar, the project was expanded to include the control of two other major invasive species (giant reed (Arundo donax), and yellow starthistle (Centaurea solstitialis)). This was done as these three species infest the same or adjacent habitats in several states and are often managed by the same land managers. Thus this broadening of scope was necessary to develop and implement an ecosystem wide perspective that considers watershed level interactions of invasive species. Such an approach is important as it will help limit re-invasion of important habitats by other invasive weeds once the target plants are reduced or locally eliminated. Therefore, we plan to develop long-term re-vegetation practices in parallel with control efforts so that sustained ecosystem management can be achieved. As proposed by the Consortium, this involves investigating many detailed biological processes (both experimentally and through intensive and extensive monitoring), synthesizing this information into action oriented management plans and other deliverables, and in providing improved information to implement and update existing management practices. In almost all cases, the proposed effort is being supported fiscally and/or in-kind by all the member groups of the Consortium. Unfortunately, the current institution by institution allocation of resources is distributed in highly compartmentalized ways and thus does not allow adequate funding for the area-wide and systematic approach developed by the Consortium to be adequately fulfilled. We propose to use IFAFS Grant resources to help support expanded research and evaluation efforts and to integrate the diverse yet complementary efforts of Consortium participants and others. Only with such cooperation and integration can we adequately confront the problem of invasive species management over wide areas and entire ecosystems.

We plan to address three major tasks that are important for both the management of the key invasive plant species listed previously, and to provide an effective model from which other biologically-based management systems can be planned and implemented. These tasks represent different project efforts but each is interconnected to the other tasks in a variety of ways, including common data needs, planning methodologies and program interfaces, program personnel and expertise, and adequate regulatory consideration and approvals.

The three major Tasks associated with this proposal are:

1) The development and evaluation of improved benefit/ risk assessment methods for invasive species infestations and their control using biologically-based technologies (and other control methods), which will include new methods of investigating and resolving conflicts of interests associated with the use of exotic natural enemies for weed control;
2) The gathering of critical supporting ecological data that characterizes the biology, distribution, and impacts of three invasive species, the biology and ecology of potential biological control agents at population and community levels, and the development of new re-vegetation technologies for area-wide implementation; and
3) The extension delivery and evaluation of new biologically-based technologies for control of three exotic invasive pest plants in several western ecosystems from Colorado to California and from Mexico north to Canada, with special emphasis on saltcedar.

The project centers around a multi-state effort to release and evaluate natural enemies for the long-term control of invasive pest plants including; detailed experimental studies to elucidate mechanisms allowing or impeding control. To accomplish this the project seeks to predict ecosystem level consequences of invasive species attack and the effects of management actions and re-vegetation efforts across major agricultural and natural habitats. In addition, this project will demonstrate new methods of interagency cooperation and decision making on program actions and regulatory processes that require the safe use of exotic biological control agents. We believe that each of these tasks need to be highly linked and are of direct importance to successfully develop and implement an effective management program for most invasive pest plants. Our Consortium provides an excellent example of how a diverse group of cooperators can effectively work together to solve complex problems no single agency can attack alone.

In summary, this project will field test, evaluate and recommend management options for local groups interested in using biologically-based control as part of an integrated approach to managing three invasive plants (saltcedar, giant reed, and yellow starthistle). To enhance implementation efforts, State Departments of Agriculture and Cooperative Extension Service representatives have been fully integrated into the program as partners and will work closely with the research and development teams in setting annual objectives, in assessing impact/ effectiveness and in transferring new technology toward implementation programs. Task 1 will deliver new benefit/risk assessments technologies for use of biological control agents that will be developed and tested from a multi-agency perspective. A combination of retrospective, current and future biological control projects will be evaluated based on cost/benefit analyses linked with nontraditional environmental assessments. Task 2 will conduct ecosystem level assessments and determine population and community level relationships of beneficial and invasive plant species, the interactions and effects of biological control agents and other control methods that will lead to long term stability, and will provide revegetation technologies, and population and community level management tools for local land managers. Task 3 of this project will specifically implement a new biologically-based control program for the target invasive weeds, monitor their impacts on both target and nontarget plants, implement re-vegetation efforts, and document field efficacy and safety of approved biological control agents.