Gardner, D. E., and C. W. Smith. 1995. Applicability of biological control to the weed problem in Hawaii's native habitats. Abstracts of the 1995 Hawai`i Conservation Conference, Honolulu.
ABSTRACT
Biocontrol is often the approach of choice for widespread forest weeds and has been successful against a number of agricultural pests in Hawaii. The premise of classical biocontrol is that the target species is held in check by its natural enemies (ie., insects and diseases) in its native habitat, but becomes aggressive in the new habitat which lacks the enemies. Introduction of one, or usually more, of the enemies into the new environment is necessary to restore balance. Ideally, this approach, while requiring a large initial investment in time, effort, and money, becomes a permanent solution to the problem and the overall cost is low compared with herbicidal and/ or mechanical control which must be maintained indefinitely. However, the success of biocontrol is moderated by several factors: (1) Lack of aggressiveness in the native habitat may be more a result of overall ecological competition from associated species than from effects of specific natural enemies which are easily introduced to the new habitat. (2) Successful biocontrol agents must be both virulent and host specific to the target species, but otherwise relatively benign in the new environment, particularly in natural systems in which the integrity of the system itself is of prime consideration. Suitable agents therefore may not be available. (3) Introduction of alien organisms, however benign appearing, as biocontrol agents into natural systems may present philosophical conflicts and exert unforeseen, indirect influences (e.g., competition, food web). (4) Several forest weeds present conflicts of interest, being desirable in other (agricultural, etc.) situations. These must be controlled by methods which can be restricted to control areas.
FULL TEXT
Full text not available for this publication.
HOSTS
No host information available for this publication.
PATHOGENS
No pathogen information available for this publication.
RELEVANT TO BIOCONTROL
Yes.
KEY WORDS
Keywords not available for this publication.
