A bioeconomic model for determining the optimal response strategies for a new weed incursion

• Published in: Journal of bioeconomics 2011-04, Vol.13 (1), p.45-72
• Main Authors: Jayasuriya, Rohan T., Jones, Randall E., van de Ven, Remy
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agribusiness; Agricultural industry; Analysis; Behavioral Sciences; Bioeconomic model; C61; Costs; Cropping systems; Decision making; Dynamic programming; Economic theory; Economic Theory/Quantitative Economics/Mathematical Methods; Economics; Economics and Finance; Ecosystems; Environmental Economics; Flowers & plants; Indigenous plants; Indigenous species; Invasions; Invasive plants; Invasive species; Law and Economics; Mathematical modelling; Mathematical models; Nonnative species; Plant species; Political Science; Population; Studies; Weed control; Weed incursion; Weeds
• ISSN: 1387-6996; 1573-6989
• DOI: 10.1007/s10818-010-9097-2

Invasions by non-indigenous plant species pose serious economic threats to Australian agricultural industries. When a new invader is identified a rapid response is critical, particularly if the invasive species has the ability to spread rapidly. An early decision is required whether to attempt to eradicate or contain the infestation, or do nothing and leave it to landholders to manage. These decisions should be based on economic considerations that account for long term benefits and costs. This paper describes a bioeconomic simulation framework with a mathematical model representing weed spread linked to a dynamic programming model to provide a means of determining the economically optimal weed management strategies over time, from the government’s perspective. The modelling framework is used to evaluate hypothetical case study invasive weed control scenarios in the Australian cropping systems. The benefit–cost ratios of invasion control are shown to be generally very high and clearly, there are significant benefits to be achieved by controlling highly invasive weeds when initial infestations are at a low level. Even if the invasion cannot be eradicated due to its high invasiveness or budget constraints, it still pays to maintain invasions at low levels.