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Exotic Brome-Grasses in Arid and Semiarid Ecosystems of the Western US pp 429–456Cite as

Economic Modeling and the Management of Exotic Annual Bromus Species: Accounting for Ecosystem Dynamics, Ecological Thresholds, and Spatial Interdependencies

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Part of the book series: Springer Series on Environmental Management ((SSEM))

Abstract

This chapter describes how economic models can inform management of exotic annual Bromus species on rangelands in the Western United States. It surveys published studies that develop bio-economic models of the management of Bromus species and other exotic annual invasive grasses, focusing on the challenges of representing the complex dynamics of rangeland ecosystems within tractable models of economic decision-making. The discussion starts with elements that are common to most economic models of Bromus management, then turns to contributions from the literature that have developed bio-economic models that capture three salient features of Bromus invasion: the dynamics of Bromus invasion, ecological thresholds related to Bromus, and spatial interdependencies in biophysical and human systems. The chapter synthesizes insights gained from this literature for managing Bromus in the Western United States, including insights on where to direct Bromus management resources on the landscape to achieve the greatest benefit given limited funds for management and on how to improve the design of policies that encourage socially efficient Bromus management by private land managers. The chapter concludes by identifying key areas where further research into the economics of Bromus management is needed.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Economics, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO, 80639, USA

    Mark Eiswerth

  2. Resources for the Future, Washington, DC, 20036, USA

    Rebecca Epanchin-Niell

  3. Department of Economics, University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, NV, 89557, USA

    Kimberly Rollins & Michael H. Taylor

Authors
  1. Mark Eiswerth
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  2. Rebecca Epanchin-Niell
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  3. Kimberly Rollins
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  4. Michael H. Taylor
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mark Eiswerth .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. US Geological Survey, Boise, Idaho, USA

    Matthew J. Germino

  2. Rocky Mountain Experimental Station, US Forest Service, Reno, Nevada, USA

    Jeanne C. Chambers

  3. Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA

    Cynthia S. Brown

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Eiswerth, M., Epanchin-Niell, R., Rollins, K., Taylor, M.H. (2016). Economic Modeling and the Management of Exotic Annual Bromus Species: Accounting for Ecosystem Dynamics, Ecological Thresholds, and Spatial Interdependencies. In: Germino, M., Chambers, J., Brown, C. (eds) Exotic Brome-Grasses in Arid and Semiarid Ecosystems of the Western US. Springer Series on Environmental Management. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-24930-8_15

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