An official website of the United States government
Here’s how you know
Official websites use .mil A
.mil website belongs to an official U.S.
Department of Defense organization.
Secure .mil websites use HTTPS A
lock (
) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to
the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official,
secure websites.
For mobile, landscape view is recommended.
Biological Control of Non-indigenous Invasive Species Affecting Military Testing and Training Activities
ESTCP, Resource Conservation and Resiliency Program Area
The objective of this topic was to solicit proposals for testing and evaluation of known and existing species and methods for the biological control (biocontrol) of non-indigenous, invasive plant, terrestrial vertebrate, or invertebrate species, while effectively protecting native species and their habitats. The scope of the proposed work should have been targeted toward methods and species that specifically addressed invasive species while keeping in mind the integration of proposed methods with the Department of Defense’s ecological land management and mission (i.e., testing and training) sustainment requirements.
Proposals responding were asked to focus on:
Invasive species that are, or have the potential to impact military training, testing, and other activities.
Existing or novel biocontrol techniques (techniques can be integrated into other ecosystem management techniques) that meet all U.S. Department of Agriculture, state, and international regulatory requirements.
Classical biocontrol, conservation biological control, molecular synthetic biology techniques, or other related integrated techniques proposals accepted.
Consideration of effects and risks of the proposed biocontrol schemes on threatened and endangered and at-risk species, other related species, and their habitats.
Proposals were also asked to consider the impact of the biocontrol and integrated practices on any testing, training, and readiness activities that may take place in the area.
Funded projects will appear below as project overviews are posted to the website.
The proposed research work will benefit the DoD’s critical need for strategic mobility, improved tools and procedures for biosecurity related activities, and reduced potential for invasive species impacts to efficient DoD land management.
There is a need for the DoD to control and prevent further invasion by non-indigenous species (such as invasive ants, insects, grasses, etc.). The impact of non-indigenous invasive species on military operations is four-fold. First, expansion of invasive species can negate realistic conditions for training or testing operations. Second, invasive species are the second leading cause of habitat destruction. Third, operations to detect and control invasive species detract from resources devoted to mission activities. Fourth, some invasive species have physical characteristics that can directly limit training activities in areas where they exist. While consideration should be taken to propose methods that apply to one or more of the high priority invasive species listed below, regionally or locally important invasive species not included in the list below also may be considered.
High Priority Invasive Species
Bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis)
Cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum)
Spotted Knapweed (Centaurea maculosa)
Kudzu (Pueraria montana var. lobata)
Leafy Spurge (Euphorbia esula)
Multiflora Rose (Rosa multiflora)
Scotch Broom (Cytisus scoparius)
Yellow Star Thistle (Centaurea solstitialis)
Musk Thistle (Carduus nutans)
Canada Thistle (Cirsium arvense)
Bull Thistle (Circium vulgare)
Russian Thistle (Salsola tragus)
Saltcedar (Tamarix spp.)
Phragmites (Phragmites australis)
Giant Reed (Arundo donax)
Spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula)
Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica)
Gypsy Moth (Lymantria spp)
Invasive ants (e.g. Little fire ant and many more)