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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 12, 2026

Linking Predation Risk, Herbivore Physiological Stress and Microbial Decomposition of Plant Litter

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Published on: March 12, 2013

Ecology. Biological control of invading species--risk and reform.

D R Strong¹, R W Pemberton

¹Section of Evolution and Ecology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA. drstrong@ucdavis.edu

Science (New York, N.Y.)

|July 6, 2000

Summary

Biological control (BC) is vital for conservation but can harm native species. Reforms are needed to improve ecological safety and protect biodiversity.

Area of Science:

Ecology
Conservation Biology
Biological Control

Background:

Biological control (BC) is increasingly used globally for invasive species management in natural and agricultural ecosystems.
Some BC agents have unintended negative impacts on native species, posing ecological risks.
Current US regulations, designed for agricultural pests, inadequately protect native invertebrates.

Purpose of the Study:

To highlight the ecological risks associated with biological control agents.
To advocate for improved regulatory frameworks and selection criteria for BC agents.
To ensure the sustainable use of biological control in conservation and agriculture.

Main Methods:

Review of existing literature on biological control impacts.

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Analysis of current regulatory approaches in the United States.

Ecological risk assessment principles for BC agents.

Main Results:

Biological control agents can pose significant threats to native flora and fauna.
Existing regulations are insufficient to prevent harm to non-target species, especially invertebrates.
The selection and deployment of BC agents often overlook ecological safety.

Conclusions:

Ecological safety must be paramount in selecting and implementing biological control.
Reforming regulations is crucial to protect native biodiversity from harmful BC agents.
A balanced approach is necessary to maintain biological control as a viable conservation and agricultural tool.