Research challenges for protecting forests and rangeland ecosystems

Both native and invasive insects, and the diseases that they vector, significantly impact United States ecosystems, and are one of the greatest threats to forest, rangeland and urban forest health. They have contributed to increases in fire frequency and intensity, reduced water resources, forest growth, and timber, and negatively impacted native species and their habitats throughout the United States. Forest Service research has a long rich history of developing mangement and technology for these priority pest insects. This talk highlights examples of the valuable tools developed by USDA Forest Service research to help reduce pest impacts. Future research priorities and challenges will be identified research while developing new and improved management strategies to help reduce the impact of insect pests on forests and grasslands. The long-term success of these management strategies are dependant on their integration into existing land management practices for sustaining forest and rangeland ecosystem health and function and their adoption by managers