Robust inspection for invasive species with a limited budget

Authors

  • L.J. Moffitt
  • J.K. Stranlund
  • B.C. Field
  • C.D. Osteen

Abstract

Invasive species can inflict significant costs on agriculture. Approaches to prevent introduction and/or to contain introduced species can also be very costly. Approaches to managing invasive-species problems include pre-emptive actions against potential invaders in foreign locales, border activities such as inspections to prevent introductions across international boundaries, domestic monitoring and control to prevent establishment if introductions occur, management of domestically established introductions through use of various forms of interference (e.g., vector control, enemies, pathogens, symbionts, endophytes, hosts, and/or physical factors perhaps as part of areawide management programs), and combinations of these approaches. This paper focuses on providing applicable quantitative decision support to the process of establishing efficient protocols for border protection under the severe uncertainty and resource constraints that characterize the inspection process. In this paper, a hybrid infogap model is used in conjunction with stochastic dominance to develop a cost-effective protocol for invasive-species detection efforts. The model is illustrated by a detection problem faced at international ports. Problem characteristics advantageous to robust preparedness protocols are investigated

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Published

2007-02-01