Foreword: Special Issue on Invasive Species

Lynch and Lichtenberg

gid. In addition, negative spillover impacts from
hemlock decline were found on neighboring prop-
erties. The results give some indication of the
benefits of potential control programs and strate-
gies. Laura Schneider and Jacqueline Geoghegan
focus on the linkages between an invasion of
bracken fern and land use decisions in an agricul-
tural frontier in southern Mexico using data from
a small household survey performed in the region
in 2002. An agricultural household model of land
use choices examines the decision of a subsis-
tence farmer to either continue cultivating an in-
vaded agricultural plot or permanently abandon
the plot and cultivate elsewhere.

Lars Olson reviews the literature on the eco-
nomics of terrestrial invasive species. He summa-
rizes a number of recent studies that assign values
to the economic impact of terrestrial invasive
species on a national scale. He also examines the
economics literature on control and prevention of
a biological invasion and the literature on interna-
tional trade and trade policy with invasive spe-
cies. Sabrina Lovell, Susan Stone, and Linda Fer-
nandez review the literature on the economics of
aquatic invasive species. They review both em-
pirical papers that present cost estimates as well
as theoretical papers on preventing and mitigating
the impacts of aquatic invasive species. Species-
specific estimates are included for both animals
and plants.

Where Do We Go from Here?

At the end of the workshop, a brief discussion
ensued as to the gaps, further research needs, and
challenges in this area of research. In short, work-
shop participants agreed that significant chal-
lenges remain for economists and other research-
ers in expanding models and analytic tools to
address this complex topic. Research extensions
mentioned include the following:

■ expand models from single species to multiple
species

■ include spatial and dynamic dimensions, i.e.,
rate and extent of spread

■ incorporate the simultaneity of policy instru-
ments available for prevention and control

■ expand trade models to include a matrix of
pathways from infested to noninfested areas/
countries and compare the best-case scenario
with the Nash equilibrium

■ address differences within the research com-
munity regarding alternative objectives, such as
maximizing welfare versus minimizing threat
or spread

■ incorporate more complex ecological systems
into economic models

■ enhance understanding of the behavioral reac-
tion to low probability but high loss events

■ design models to address decision making un-
der uncertainty

■ assess the impact of human behavior on the
spread of invasive species

■ incorporate research from other disciplines,
such as public health and epidemiology, into
economic models

■ identify characteristics that define “successful
versus unsuccessful” control and/or eradication
programs

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