Post-release evaluation of invasive plant biological control agents in BC using IAPP, a novel database management platform.

Abstract

AbstractWhen faced with the invasion of alien plant species, the government of British Columbia (BC) uses the principals of Integrated Pest Management: prevention, early detection rapid response, inventory surveys and mechanical, chemical and biological control treatments. The BC government's Invasive Alien Plant Program (IAPP) application houses the data for management of invasive alien plants, including planning, inventory, mechanical, chemical and biological control, the monitoring of each of these activities and biological control agent dispersal. The IAPP Application is structured to track sites and their characteristics as geographic locations. Multiple invasive species with multiple surveys can be entered for a single site. This allows recording of the change in the invasive plant community over time and the level of success of treatment efforts. A compilation of this data allows assessment of the current set of biological control agents for target plant species. By comparing the spread of Dalmatian toadflax, Linaria dalmatica L. Miller, to the habitat requirements of its biological control agents, it is possible, using IAPP, to determine whether sufficient, suitable agents exist in the province or whether additional screening of agents must be pursued.