SUMMARY OF DOI SCIENCE NEEDS RELATED TO EXOTIC PLANT AND ANIMAL CONTROL PROJECTS
Major DOI Responsibilities and Interests	Major Unanswered Questions	Needed Science	Timeline
Identify and effectively manage the invasive exotic plant species in the Greater Everglades that directly affect DOI lands and resources	Implementing an Exotic Plant Management Strategy
	Which high priority species directly affect DOI lands and which high priority species may pose future threats to DOI lands? Which additional species, if different from those affecting DOI lands, pose the greatest threat to ecosystem restoration? What are the effective control and management methods for these species?	DOI support and participation in developing an implementation Plan for an interagency invasive exotic plant management program for South Florida restoration Risk assessment model to determine the potential threat posed by existing species and possible future invaders of DOI lands Research into the best control methods for species by life form	Special Reconnaissance report on the federal role and interest in invasive species management May 2004 PIR for biological control of melaleuca and other exotic species Jan 2005
	Invasive Exotic Plant Detection and Monitoring
	Invasive Exotic Plant Management in the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge
	What are the measures for evaluating whether or not maintenance control of Lygodium has been achieved? What management methods will prevent the spread and reduce the current distribution of Lygodium?	Measurable targets for maintenance control of Lygodium Research to identify effective control methods for Lygodium	Next scheduled performance review per the lease agreement between DOI and SFWMD 2007
	Aquatic Exotic Animals
	Does the C&SF Project influence the introduction of aquatic exotic animals into the Greater Everglades system? How do exotic aquatic animals affect native species? What are the best methods for eradication and control of exotic aquatic animal populations?	Research to determine the role of canals as conduits for the introduction of exotic fish Research into the ecological impacts of invasive exotic species on native species, created habitats (filter marshes, reservoirs, etc.), and natural habitats Research into life history and ecology on non-indigenous species Research to better understand the extent and role of deep solution holes as refugia and impact on survivability of native species when exotic aquatic species present Research to develop effective control methods to reduce or eradicate introduced exotic aquatic animals, particularly before populations and distributions have expanded Studies to support water project designs that might have an affect on the introduction and/or persistence of aquatic exotic animals Model characteristics of existing pests to develop screening for potential future pests and prevent introductions	Assessment of the problem and priority species for control October 2004 Strategic Plan for the management of invasive exotic animals January 2006
Major DOI Responsibilities and Interests	Major Unanswered Questions	Needed Science	Timeline
Assess the responses of invasive exotic species as a basis for adaptive management	Implementing an Exotic Plant Management Strategy
	What is the magnitude of infestation by invasive exotic plant species in South Florida? What management programs are most successful? Are invasive exotic removal projects improving the conditions for native species, and where removal is not occurring are native species in decline as a result of invasive exotics?	Monitoring and assessment of the overall invasive exotic plant problem on DOI lands, sharing information with other agencies Monitoring and assessment to determine the responses of native species to management activities designed to control invasive exotics	Post-implementation monitoring and assessment
	Invasive Exotic Plant Detection and Monitoring
	How are the populations of invasive exotic species changing through time and what are the factors involved in the spread of these species?	Prototype development of remote sensing field system	Report & Recommendations from Conference on Invasive Plants in Natural and Managed Systems: June 2004 Identify detection projects in CERP special reconnaissance report: May 2004 Identify detection project in CERP PIR for biological control program: January 2005
	Invasive Exotic Plant Management in the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge
			Post-implementation monitoring and assessment
	Aquatic Exotic Animals
	What are the effects of restoration efforts on the introduction and persistence of aquatic exotic animals in the Greater Everglades system?	Development of non-indigenous species risk assessment Development of effective, early detection monitoring program for introduced aquatic animals Systemwide monitoring program to document the changes in invasive species resulting from project modifications, and modeling to assist in predicting possible future changes resulting from project management and operations	Post-implementation monitoring and assessment