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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Albany, California » Western Regional Research Center » Invasive Species and Pollinator Health » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #160484
Title: RESPONDING TO ECOLOGICAL CONCERNS ABOUT BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF WEEDS

Author
item Balciunas, Joseph

Submitted to: The 7th International Conference on the Ecology and Management of Alien Plant Invasions
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/1/2003
Publication Date: 10/1/2003
Citation: Balciunas, J.K. 2003. Responding to Ecological Concerns About Biological Control of Weeds. [Abstract]. The 7th International Conference on the Ecology and Management of Alien Plant Invasions. p. 7.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The outcomes of old weed biocontrol projects are receiving increased scrutiny from ecologists. This has led to increased concern about non-target effects, unpredictable system impacts, and the appropriateness of releasing exotic organisms to control weeds. The subdiscipline of classical biological control of weeds has responded to these concerns by asking practitioners to adhere to the recently ratified International Code of Best Practices for Classical Biological Control of Weeds. I review 12 guidelines that comprise the Code, and provide examples of how some current projects are meeting these guidelines, especially those specifying the release of effective agents.