The objective of this Statement of Need (SON) was to solicit proposals that develop and mature the science to detect, survey, mitigate, characterize impacts, and minimize the establishment or spread of invasive species in the Indo-Pacific region. Specific objectives included:

• Develop an improved understanding of invasive species ecology, including its management and impacts, with issues such as biosecurity, detection and surveillance, genetic applications, physical, mechanical, chemical, and biological control (biocontrol), pathway analysis, and other next generation innovations across the Indo-Pacific region. 
• Develop an improved understanding of the impact of aquatic and marine invasive species on Pacific Islands and develop management strategies and methodologies. 
• Develop or improve advanced modeling of potential ecological and economic impacts of invasive species spread within the Indo-Pacific region prior to arrival or within early phases of detection.  
• Characterize non-linear interactions between invasive species and other stressors on the viability and recovery of threatened and endangered species in the region. 

This SON focused on invasive species that are, or have the potential to severely impact military readiness activities and other matters such as installation security and biosecurity. Therefore, the efforts associated with this SON applied to one or more of the high priority invasive species that are found on one or more of our military installations, or other species considered a threat were they to arrive and establish on military installations. Proposals addressed current and projected readiness implications for the Department of Defense (DoD) and host nations. Proposals did, where feasible, consider any induced effects of sea level rise or weather extremes on changes in invasive species abundance, distribution, and impacts. 

In July 2023, a workshop was held on issues associated with invasive species in the Indo-Pacific region. Proposers had to be familiar with the workshop report in terms of research needs in this area. The workshop summary can be found on the SERDP website.

There is a real and immediate need to predict, evaluate, control, and prevent further invasion and spread by non-indigenous species. Research selected under this SON will lead to new or improved methods for prediction and mitigation of the impact of these invasive species, ultimately reducing costs for control activities, improving diplomacy, and decreasing impediments to military training caused by the degradation of natural areas. 

Invasive species are alien, non-native species whose introduction and spread does or is likely to cause adverse impacts to economies, native ecosystems, agriculture, human and animal health and military readiness. Invasive species threaten biodiversity, threatened and endangered species, food and water security, and hinder navigation; adversely affect flood risk management, hydropower generation, infrastructure and water supply; and limit public recreation. 

Non-native invasive species have a significant and increasingly adverse impact to DoD readiness, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region where management and mitigation infrastructure is often inadequate. Invasive species impact climate resilience, threaten cultural resources, and impact quality of life especially for Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICT). Invasive species pose risks to military readiness by impacting testing and training, safe and efficient materiel movement, biosecurity related expenses and movement delays, wildland fires, threatened and endangered species, diplomacy, host country food and water security, extensive mitigation expenses, infrastructure damage, and the health and safety of military personnel. 

Invasive species management requires extensive surveillance and biosecurity protocols to prevent and minimize inadvertent spread and the associated ecological, agricultural, cultural, and readiness consequences. Preventing, controlling, surveilling, and eradicating invasive species requires long-term and sustainable collaborative civilian and military efforts. The Indo-Pacific region is home to a large number of endemic species that are vulnerable to invasive species. Therefore, there is a need for research on invasive species in the Indo-Pacific region to better understand their impacts and develop effective management strategies.

The impact of non-indigenous invasive species on military operations in the Indo-Pacific is four-fold. First, expansion of invasive species can negate realistic conditions for training or testing operations. Second, invasive species are a leading cause of habitat destruction and species endangerment which imposes significant land use restrictions, mitigation, and biosecurity expense to DoD. Third, operations to detect and control invasive species detract from devoting resources to mission activities. Fourth, movement of military equipment requires expensive and time-consuming agricultural washdowns and inspection of deployed and redeployed materiel. Occasionally equipment arrives at destinations not meeting host country cleanliness requirements and must be mitigated with delayed movement and mission delay. Above military impacts due to invasive species, made worse by climate change, are expected to impact military readiness activities in potentially unpredictable ways.

Many non-indigenous invasive species have devastating impacts on ecosystems of all sizes and types, with Pacific Island nations being particularly vulnerable. With few natural enemies, about 1% of non-indigenous (sometimes noxious and/or exotic) species are able to occupy suitable ecological niches, enabling them to spread rapidly, thereby infesting large areas. In the process, they devastate local plant and animal communities by replacing native vegetation and by altering and degrading habitats of native flora and fauna. There is a critical need to have a better understanding and technological advances associated with invasive species in the Indo-Pacific region. 

The cost and time to meet the requirements of this SON are at the discretion of the proposer. Proposers submitting a Standard or Limited Scope Proposal must provide the rationale for the proposed scale. The two options are as follows: 

Standard Proposals: These proposals describe a complete research effort. The proposer should incorporate the appropriate time, schedule, and cost requirements to accomplish the scope of work proposed. SERDP projects normally run from two to five years in length and vary considerably in cost consistent with the scope of the effort. It is expected that most proposals will fall into this category. 

Limited Scope Proposals: Proposers with innovative approaches to the SON that entail high technical risk or have minimal supporting data may submit a Limited Scope Proposal for funding up to $250,000 and approximately one year in duration. Such proposals may be eligible for follow-on funding if they result in a successful initial project. The objective of these proposals should be to acquire the data necessary to demonstrate proof-of-concept or reduction of risk that will lead to development of a future Standard Proposal. Proposers should submit Limited Scope Proposals in accordance with the SERDP Core Solicitation instructions and deadlines.