Southern Idaho Biological Control

Quantifying location, amount, and degree of noxious weed infestation are critical for informing year to year control activities. Use of GPS receivers and GIS software will increase the precision and accuracy of weed mapping and assist in weed management. The release of biological control agents to reduce the vigor, competitive ability, and fecundity of weeds has occurred in Idaho since the mid-1970s. There have been over 800 recorded releases, with most occurring on leafy spurge and knapweed. However there has been little follow up monitoring to determine insect establishment or weed impacts. The project's goal is to increase the data sharing between public and private landowners to increase the efficiency of weed management efforts. An inventory of noxious weeds will be performed, which will assist with the implementation of an IPM plan using chemical, prescribed fire, and biological control methods to improve native range conditions, and agricultural and forest lands. Follow up monitoring of all control efforts using proper methods will help in refining the IPM plan. Both private landowners and state and federal agencies will have access to the detailed mapping and GIS database. The project entails a public outreach campaign.