Economic Impacts of Non-Native Forest Insects in the Continental United States
Author Information
Author(s): Aukema Juliann E., Leung Brian, Kovacs Kent, Chivers Corey, Britton Kerry O., Englin Jeffrey, Frankel Susan J., Haight Robert G., Holmes Thomas P., Liebhold Andrew M., McCullough Deborah G., Von Holle Betsy
Hypothesis
What are the economic damages caused by non-native forest insects in the U.S.?
Conclusion
The study estimates that non-native forest insects cause significant economic damages, primarily affecting homeowners and local governments.
Supporting Evidence
- Costs from wood- and phloem-boring insects are expected to reach nearly $1.7 billion annually for local governments.
- Residential property values are estimated to lose approximately $830 million due to these invasive species.
- There is a 32% chance that another highly destructive borer species will invade the U.S. in the next 10 years.
Takeaway
Invasive insects that aren't from the U.S. can cost a lot of money by damaging trees and affecting property values.
Methodology
The study used a database of non-native forest insects and a novel modeling approach to estimate economic damages across different cost categories.
Potential Biases
Potential biases may arise from the reliance on expert opinion for damage classifications.
Limitations
The analysis may not capture all indirect costs and relies on available data, which can be limited.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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