Abstract
Quantifying the economic impacts of invasive species is an essential step in developing and prioritizing invasive species management. In particular, kudzu, Pueraria montana (Lour.) Merr. is an aggressive and non-native vine that not only causes ecological damage and reduces biodiversity, but can have multiple economic consequences such as loss of timber value and volume. Using current infestation locations in Oklahoma, southcentral USA, a Monte Carlo simulation was run to estimate the natural as well as anthropogenic spread rate of kudzu in the next five years. Simulations were supplemented with an economic impact analysis within the Impact Analysis for PLANing (IMPLAN) platform. To account for economic loss in the forest product industry, a replacement cost approach with a sensitivity analysis was conducted. Occurrence data collections revealed that current kudzu populations are already established in Oklahoma forests. The results demonstrate that by year five, total industry output could be reduced by $167.9 million, which will influence 780 jobs in the most extreme case scenario. The predicted economic loss due to kudzu expansion could act as an incentive for appropriate management practices and plans to be implemented.
Highlights
The rapid spread of non-native, invasive species is of growing concern in the United States
Since the purpose of this Impact Analysis for PLANing (IMPLAN) analysis is to predict economic costs of kudzu based on its potential future expansion in Oklahoma, it is necessary to understand where kudzu could potentially spread based on current presence in the state
The results from this study suggest that kudzu has invaded the south-eastern region of Oklahoma
Summary
The rapid spread of non-native, invasive species is of growing concern in the United States Invasive species have the potential to cause harm to the environment, the economy, and to human health [1]. In the U.S alone, there have been a reported 50,000 invasive species that have been introduced, either accidentally or intentionally, in the past century [2]. Due to these infestations, annual economic costs have reached approximately $120 billion from damages and production losses [3]. Invasive weeds are accountable for an approximate $33 billion loss in crop production annually within the U.S, as well as contributing to an increase in herbicide control costs of about $4 billion [1]. Research has shown that the distribution of these species are on the rise as more introductions are occurring due to anthropogenic activities [4]
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