| IPM Global Theme Programs:
Invasive Species
Invasive species are
serious problems in
world agriculture,
and their threat
must be continually
monitored. Exotic
invasive organisms
can include any
species not native
to a particular
ecosystem, including
its seeds, eggs,
spores, or other
biological material
capable of
propagating that
species. Their costs
worldwide are in the
billions of dollars.
The invasive species
problem is worsened
through open
movement of plant
and livestock
materials from
country to country,
especially when
vigilance is not
practiced in
agriculture
enterprises or in
government
regulatory agencies.
Invasive species are
a problem because
they often have no
natural enemies in
their new
environment.
Developing
management options
are difficult and
often involve
searching for and
introducing natural
predators from other
ecosystems.
|
These Ethiopian students are pursuing or have just been awarded master's degrees in agriculture, supported by the IPM CRSP. Asresie Hassen (left) is conducting research on a soil seed bank. Shashie Ayele (middle) just completed her master's degree--her thesis was titled, "Impact of Parthenium on Herbaceous Vegetation, Soil Seed Bank Flora, and its Competitive Ability with Selected Forage Species in the Rangeland of Jijiga Somail Regional State, Ethiopia." Kumma Ibssa (right) is conducting reesearch on the socioeconomic impat of Parthenium in the Eastern Hararge Zone of the Oromiya Region.
One IPM CRSP program
that seeks to
address these issues
is:
Management of the
Weed Parthenium
PI: Wondi Mersie,
Virginia State
University
E-mail address:
Web:
http://www.vsu.edu/pages/2978.asp
http://www.vsu.edu/pages/2962.asp
Initial Environmental Examination |
