Research Paper Example: Importance of Biological Control in Keeping Invasive Species

Biological control is a valuable method for controlling invasive species and we should continue to pursue it because it can be extremely effective and has fewer negative impacts than other methods. Biological control refers to a method of controlling a pest through the introduction of a native enemy or predator. 

Biological control has been proven to be an effective way of keeping invasive species in check through the establishment of a natural enemy. In “Biological Control of Invasive Species: solution or pollution?” it is stated that “About one in three attempts at biological control results in the establishment of a new natural enemy” (Messing & Wright 2006). While one in three may not seem influential, managing just one invasive species can have major positive effects on the ecosystem and economy. One invasive species can cost a country millions of dollars every year in management costs and loss of revenue in agricultural businesses. Those who are against biological control often believe that biological control is too costly and can result in unintended consequences. To minimize those negative consequences there is a detailed process for implementing a biological control agent. The first step is to research and identify which natural enemy would be best for the job while not affecting the other species. Next, they travel to the native range and observe the behaviors of the natural enemy. If it is concluded this species could work, it will go to quarantine issued by APHIS, where it is tested for years. The fourth step is to obtain a permit and get a recommendation from TAG. After everything has been approved, the biological control agent may be released but must be monitored (Bowers PowerPoint). The strict nature of this process ensures only species that are likely to work and not cause any ecosystem issues are released. The researchers must pick a natural enemy that will not become invasive itself but can establish a population in the invaded range. Overall, biological control agents are extensively researched and reviewed, are cost-effective, and have a pretty high success rate.

Another benefit to using biological control is the lack of environmental and health issues. The most common method to manage invasive species is pesticides or other chemical agents. These often cause human health issues. For example, chemical pesticides have been used for over 50 years to control pests but have had serious side effects, “These effects include 300,000 pesticide poisonings per year (EPA 1992, cited in Pimentel 2005), 10,000-15,000 cases of pesticide-related cancer per year (Pimental 1997), and health-related costs of about $1 billion per year in the US alone (Pimental and Greiner 1997)” (Messing & Wright 2006). Biological control agents are unlikely to directly impact human health in the way pesticides do because of the unnatural aspect of pesticides. Regarding environmental impacts, “The National Environmental Policy Act also requires researchers carrying out projects using federal funds to prepare an environmental assessment” (Messing & Wright 2006). This requirement limits the amount of environmental damage biological control agents can cause. The limited environmental issues of biological control along with the lack of human harm make biological control an effective and safe way to control invasive species. 

Even though biological control has its limitations and issues, it is still the best long-term solution for environmental species and we should continue to utilize it.