Prioritisation of targets for biological control of weeds on Pacific Islands

Abstract

Invasive weeds are one of the most serious threats to biodiversity and sustainable development in the Pacific region. Biocontrol is likely to be the only feasible way of managing many widespread weeds, but is not always appropriate or successful. With so many weed species to tackle and inevitably limited resources, prioritising where to direct control efforts most effectively is of key importance. Landcare Research recently developed a framework for the Australian government that allows the best and worst weed targets for biocontrol to be identified. Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund and USDA Forest Service International Programs funding enabled this framework to be applied to weeds of the Pacific region.