A look at several case studies from conservation practitioners and ornithological social scientists to highlight six core principles of translational ecology - an intentional approach in which researchers and practitioners from multiple disciplines collaborate on conservation management. The authors demonstrate how implementing collaboration, engagement, communication, commitment, process, and decision-framing can lead to improved conservation decision-making and delivery of outcomes applicable to specific management decisions.
Development of a novel repellant compound for the potential management of the northern tamarisk beetle (Diorhabda carinulata). Repellant has been shown to be effective on reproductive adults and alter the behaviors of 1st and 2nd instar larvae. Continued development and field deployment of this repellent compound may provide a new tool for the management of D. carinulata.
The northern tamarisk beetle Diorhabda carinulata (Desbrochers) was approved for release in the United States for classical biological control of a complex of invasive saltcedar species and their hybrids (Tamarix spp.). An aggregation pheromone used by D. carinulata to locate conspecifics is fundamental to colonization and reproductive success.
A presentation by Dan Bean at the 2020 RiversEdge West Conference about new knowledge on aggregation phermones, phenology, and genomics.
Riverine ecosystems are known to provide important habitat for avian communities, but information on responses of birds to differing levels of Tamarix is not known. Past research on birds along the Colorado River has shown that avian abundance in general is greater in native than in non-native habitat.
In this chapter, Carothers et al have three objectives: first, they document the value of nonnative Tamarix as summer habitat for birds compared to native riparian habitats of mesquite bosques and cottonwood/willow, and mixed deciduous gallery woodlands; second, they specifically focus on the unintended consequences to native avifauna of dam construction, Tamarix invasion, native vertebrate colonization of the Tamarix-dominated riparian habitat, and subsequent biocontrol along approximately 300 miles of the Colorado River in Grand and Glen Canyons; and, third, the
"This case challenges the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s (“APHIS”) 2010 decision to terminate, without taking necessary remedial action, the agency’s program authorizing wide-scale release of an invasive species known as the tamarisk leaf-eating beetle (“beetle”) that is having, and will continue to have, devastating effects on the highly endangered Southwestern willow flycatcher (“flycatcher”) and its habitat, including designated critical habitat."
Ctr. for Biological Diversity v. Vilsack, 276 F. Supp. 3d 1015 (D. Nev. 2017)
In this 2010 Memo from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), USDA - APHIS terminates the tamarisk biocontrol program.
In this November 20, 2014 letter, Secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture Vilsack responds to Senator John McCain regarding impacts of the tamarisk biocontrol program on the federally-listed, endangered southwestern willow flycatcher.
This document is an update to the previous risk analysis that was produced on August 9, 2017, to help inform decision makers of the spread potential of Diorhabda beetles and the potential control options available within the authority of APHIS to limit impacts to the SWFL and designated critical habitat. APHIS updated the analysis in response to a remedial order from the United States District Court for the District of Nevada on June 19, 2018.