Stakeholder perceptions: Biological control of Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia)
| Authors: | Sharlene E. Sing, Kevin J. Delaney |
| Year: | 2016 |
| Type: | Paper |
| Station: | Rocky Mountain Research Station |
| Source: | In: Schwarzlander, Mark; Gaskin, John F., eds. Proceedings of the 3rd Northern Rockies Invasive Plants Council Conference; February 10-13, 2014; Airway Heights, WA. FHTET-2016-03. Morgantown, WV: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team. p. 63-72. |
Abstract
An online survey was distributed through email lists provided by various stakeholder groups on behalf of the International Consortium for Biological Control of Russian Olive in spring of 2012. A total of 392 respondents replied from 24 U.S. states and 1 Canadian province. Questions posed in the survey were designed to identify and categorize 1) stakeholders by geographic location, profession and professional affiliation; 2) stakeholder perceptions of Russian olive as a problematic and/or beneficial organism; 3) by ecological, economic and geographic scale stakeholders’ perceived benefits and/or detriments associated with Russian olive; and 4) potential benefits and/or risks stakeholders thought might arise from the implementation of a classical biological control program for Russian olive. The survey also asked stakeholders to suggest additional research to improve understanding both of Russian olive and Russian olive biological control. The survey link was widely distributed and respondents were given from February through May 2012 to complete the questionnaire. The questionnaire was highly informative because it included many opportunities for respondents to provide detailed responses in their own words.