Enhancing early detection strategies of human-mediated pest invasions in plant ecosystems

The interaction of humans with natural and managed ecosystems provides important pathways that can potentially facilitate the entry and dissemination of exotic pests. Although the importance of the human role in fostering invasions is widely acknowledged, it is a complex phenomenon. Because of its complexity, pursuing a thorough understanding on the matter could become a long term endeavor. Time however, is not on our side in this era of global connectivity. An increasing threat of invasions makes it imperative to develop strategies that minimize the risk of entrance and establishment of exotic pests. To take on this challenge, we have been developing approaches aimed at delimiting those areas of the contiguous United States where agricultural and forest ecosystems are most vulnerable to human-mediated invasions. Our approaches are based primarily on analyses of potential interactions between urban centers and agricultural and forest ecosystems. We expect that our findings could significantly enhance the monitoring strategies of current biosurveillance efforts. Among others, they could facilitate the optimal allocation of resources on invasion 'hot zones'.