56 



cause of increasing tourism and commerce among Nations. To 

 counter this continuing increase in the rate of introduction, we 

 must expand our appHcation of our regulatory authorities and de- 

 velop a greater capacity to respond to new introductions. We must 

 also develop improved methods for controlUng these exotic pests 

 that have become established and threaten our native ecosystems. 

 In addition to economic losses, these exotic pests severely attect 

 the forest ecosystem. Wildhfe that is dependent upon a declining 

 native species for food or habitat is adversely affected. Species com- 

 position and structure of the forests change because species that 

 are immune to the exotic pest replace the susceptible species, in 

 some areas, the Forest Service has identified this changing of spe- 

 cies composition and the invasion of exotic plants as the greatest 

 threat to our forest and rangeland ecosystems, including our wil- 

 derness areas. , 

 Our rangelands are being severely impacted, also. It is estimatea 

 that exotic plants have infested over 14 miUion acres of Western 

 rangelands, Federal lands. Some of the most invasive species in- 

 clude several species of thistles and knapweeds, leafy spurge, dal- 

 matian toadflax and St. Johnswort. Without their natural checks 

 and balances, these exotic species can freely invade healthy 

 ecosystems, regardless of disturbance, and, once established, create 

 monocultures that severely reduce species diversity and become im- 

 possible to control with current methods. The results are severely 

 degraded ecosystems that no longer provide quality wildlife habi- 

 tat, forage for both wild and domestic animals, or quality rec- 

 reational experiences. 



Some threatened and endangered plant species are at consider- 

 able risk, since they cannot compete with these exotic species. In 

 Hawaii, exotic plants such as gorse, banana poka, fire-vveed and 

 strawberry guava are invading and severely damaging native forest 

 and rangelands. They are also preventing the reclamation of those 

 ecosystems that have been damaged by hurricanes and past man- 

 agement practices. 



The Forest Service has always been an active participant in coop- 

 erative programs to prevent and control non-indigenous plants and 

 animals. We are working with scientists from other countries to 

 identify plants, fungi, insects and other organisms that could be 

 pests and to reduce the risk of their entry into the United States. 

 Our coordination efforts with other Federal agencies include 

 working with APHIS to develop a list of exotic pests and potential 

 entry points into the United States. We are also cooperating with 

 APHIS by providing assessments on the risks of importing logs and 

 other unmanufactured wood products from Russia, Chile and New 



Zealand. , . j r v 



In 1993, the Forest Service participated in organizing and facili- 

 tating the Department of Agriculture's Noxious Weed Coordination 

 Group. The group's role is to improve coordination between the De- 

 partment's agencies with weed responsibilities. The Forest Service 

 is also a member of the team which developed the proposal to es- 

 tabhsh an interdepartmental team to coordinate Federal agency ef- 

 forts for noxious weed control. Later this year, a memorandum of 

 understanding will be signed by the agencies within the Depart- 

 ments of Agriculture, Interior, Defense and Transportation estab- 



