2005 Annual Report 1.What major problem or issue is being resolved and how are you resolving it (summarize project aims and objectives)? How serious is the problem? What does it matter? A Cornell University study estimated that exotic species cost the U.S. over $130 billion/year. Of 4,552 exotic organisms estimated to be free-living in the United States, exotic and invasive plants are the largest group of invaders. As discussed in the February 1999 Presidential Executive Order on Invasive Species, invasive exotic plant species and other noxious weeds pose a huge and increasing threat to agriculture and native ecosystems throughout North America. The Bureau of Land Management estimates that over 4,600 acres are lost to the spread of invasive weeds each day on western public lands. This proposal addresses biologically-based management of giant reed, Cape ivy, Scotch and French broom, Russian thistle, saltcedar and yellow starthistle, which are considered some of the worst invasive weed species in the western states and are listed as the top noxious weed species in California by the California Invasive Plant Council. These weeds out-compete native and other beneficial vegetation; reduce valuable forage; provide poor habitat for other flora and fauna; cause increased siltation of streams and rivers and alter channels in ways that eliminate valuable fish habitats; are excessive water consumers; increase likelihood of fire; and most importantly, alter ecosystem dynamics to favor their growth and development at the expense of agricultural production and valuable native species. This project is aimed at providing a scientific understanding of exotic and invasive weed species and biological control agents that can be used to help manage these weeds. In this project we investigate invasive weed biology, the biological and physical factors that allow weeds to become invasive, and their interactions with native flora and fauna. This research will evaluate the impact that potential biological control agents have to limit these weeds, and any effects that they may have on non-target organisms. This research is focused on the development and evaluation of classical biological control, which includes foreign exploration, host specificity testing, biological characterization and assessment of natural enemy impact. These research efforts will lead to more effective methods for controlling weeds through integrated management programs that will be used throughout the western United States in rangeland, pasture, forest and riparian habitats. Additionally, new techniques such as remote sensing and ecological modeling are being applied to better characterize invasive plants and to optimize management strategies. This research falls under National Programs 304, Crop Protection and Quarantine, and 205 -Rangeland, Pasture and Forages. More specifically, this project addresses Weed Biology and Ecology, Biological Control and Weed Management Systems, all key subcomponents of the ARS Weed Science Program of NP 304, and Integrated Management of Weeds and Other Pests (NP 205). Agriculture and the native environment will significantly benefit from these research programs as new technology is being provided to a wide range of customers to control weeds in many locations throughout the Western U.S. Our most recent example is the widespread control of invasive saltcedar that is now being controlled at several locations using the exotic leaf beetle, Diorhabda elongata. After only a few seasons, this beetles has defoliated many 1000s of acres of saltcedar and is now killing this invasive shrub. 2.List the milestones (indicators of progress) from your Project Plan. Objective 1. Weed biology, growth, and distribution 1a) Cause of invasiveness 1b) Plant growth and development 1c) Variation in leaf nitrogen content Objective 2. Biological control agent biology and assessment 2a) Foreign surveys 2b) Host range 2c) Assess potential efficacy 2d) Natural enemy biology Objective 3. Multi-trophic level assessment and evaluation of biocontrol impact 3a) Determine field impact of biological control agents of target and non-target plants 3b) Synchrony of Control Agents with Critical Host Plant Stages Objective 4. Development of area-wide integrated management and revegetation strategies 4a) Invasive species density assessments 4b) Area-wide biological control assessments 4a.What was the single most significant accomplishment this past year? Newly intitiated project. Please see the report for 5325-22000-017-00D. 4b.List other significant accomplishments, if any. None 4c.List any significant activities that support special target populations. None 4d.Progress report. This is a new project and there are no accomplishments and no milestone reached this year. All work for FY 2005 was reported in Project 5325-22000-017-00D. 5.Describe the major accomplishments over the life of the project, including their predicted or actual impact. None 6.What science and/or technologies have been transferred and to whom? When is the science and/or technology likely to become available to the end-user (industry, farmer, other scientists)? What are the constraints, if known, to the adoption and durability of the technology products? None to date. 7.List your most important publications in the popular press and presentations to organizations and articles written about your work. (NOTE: List your peer reviewed publications below). None to date.