5) Impacts b) Economic Pimentel et al. (2000) BioScience 50(1): 53-65 Pimental et al. (2005) Ecol Econ 52 (3): 273-288 • Introduced crops and animals provide 98% US food, $800 billion value per year • Some species have harmed agriculture, forestry, other economic segments, and environment. • Estimated 25,000 non-indigenous plants in US; 5000 have escaped to natural systems What are the economic losses due to invasives? 5) Impacts b) Economic i) Total damage estimates: From Pimentel et al. (2000) • United States 5) Impacts b) Economic i) Total damage estimates: annual. From Pimentel et al. (2000) • United States Economic impacts from losses/damage 5) Impacts b) Economic i) Total damage estimates: From Pimentel et al. (2000) • United States Economic impacts from losses/damage and from costs to control 5) Impacts b) Economic i) Total damage estimates: From Pimentel et al. (2000) • United States Economic impacts from losses/damage and from costs to control. Sum to get total. 5) Impacts b) Economic i) Total damage estimates: From Pimentel et al. (2000) • United States Economic impacts Focus only on plants 5) Impacts b) Economic i) Total damage estimates: From Pimentel et al. (2000) • United States Economic impacts Focus only on plants For example: Aquatic weeds Mark W. Skinner @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database 5) Impacts b) Economic i) Total damage estimates: From Pimentel et al. (2000) • United States Economic impacts Focus only on plants For example: Crop weeds Patrick J. Alexander @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database 5) Impacts b) Economic i) Total damage estimates: From Pimentel et al. (2000) • United States Economic impacts Focus only on plants For example: Lawns, gardens, golf courses Patrick J. Alexander @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database 5) Impacts b) Economic i) Total damage estimates: From Pimentel et al. (2000) • United States Economic impacts Focus only on plants: Total ~$34 billion annually 5) Impacts b) Economic i) Total damage estimates: From Pimentel et al. (2001) Ag Ecosys Environ 84:1-20 • United States • Global Losses/damage only from plants: $34 billion for US 5) Impacts b) Economic i) Total damage estimates: From Pimentel et al. (2001) Ag Ecosys Environ 84:1-20 • United States • Global Losses/damage only from plants: $34 billion for US, but India is even more 5) Impacts b) Economic i) Total damage estimates: From Pimentel et al. (2001) Ag Ecosys Environ 84:1-20 • United States • Global Losses/damage only from plants: $34 billion for US, but India is even more, and Brazil not far behind 5) Impacts b) Economic i) Total damage estimates: From Pimentel et al. (2001) Ag Ecosys Environ 84:1-20 • United States • Global Losses/damage only from plants: Total ~$95 billion (42% of total losses from all organisms) 5) Impacts b) Economic i) Total damage estimates: From Pimentel et al. (2001) Ag Ecosys Environ 84:1-20 • United States • Global Losses/damage only from plants: Total ~$95 billion (42% of total losses from all organisms) But only a small fraction of other environmental losses or control costs and environmental costs hard to estimate 5) Impacts b) Economic ii) Methodology (1) Cost effectiveness analyses • aka: Ex post (after the fact) analysis • Assesses damage from invasives vs. cost of various methods to control them 5) Impacts b) Economic ii) Methodology (1) Cost effectiveness (ex post) analyses • Damage from invasives vs. cost to control them • Focus generally is on minimizing the cost of controlling to a certain level of damage – in other words, what is the least cost method to control an invasion that has already occurred 5) Impacts b) Economic ii) Methodology (1) Cost effectiveness (ex post) analyses • Damage from invasives vs. cost to control them • Minimize control cost to a certain level of damage – least cost method to control • Doesn’t quantify economic benefits of control. Assumes that the benefits will exceed the least cost method to control 5) Impacts b) Economic ii) Methodology (1) Cost effectiveness (ex post) analyses • Minimize control cost to a certain level of damage – least cost method to control • Assumes: benefits > least cost method to control (2) Ex ante (before the fact) analyses 5) Impacts b) Economic ii) Methodology (1) Cost effectiveness (ex post) analyses • Minimize control cost to a certain level of damage – least cost method to control • Assumes: benefits > least cost method to control (2) Ex ante analyses • Cost – benefit analysis: what are costs to prevent invasion vs. costs if invasion occurs. Maximizes the cost-benefit ratio. 5) Impacts b) Economic ii) Methodology (1) Cost effectiveness (ex post) analyses • Minimize control cost to a certain level of damage – least cost method to control • Assumes: benefits > least cost method to control (2) Ex ante analyses • Cost – benefit analysis • 2-step process: (a) Understand how invasion affects different species, ecosystem services, and economic activities 5) Impacts b) Economic ii) Methodology (1) Cost effectiveness (ex post) analyses • Minimize control cost to a certain level of damage – least cost method to control • Assumes: benefits > least cost method to control (2) Ex ante analyses • Cost – benefit analysis • 2-step process: (a) Understand how invasion affects different species, ecosystem services, and economic activities (b) Assess the monetary value of all these: “valuation” 5) Impacts b) Economic ii) Methodology (1) Cost effectiveness (ex post) analyses – least cost method to control (2) Ex ante analyses – Cost-benefit analysis 3 major components of valuation • Direct-use values Consumptive = monetary worth of specific, market-based goods & services 5) Impacts b) Economic ii) Methodology (1) Cost effectiveness (ex post) analyses – least cost method to control (2) Ex ante analyses – Cost-benefit analysis 3 major components of valuation • Direct-use values Consumptive = monetary worth of specific, market-based goods & services Often easy to analyze 5) Impacts b) Economic ii) Methodology (1) Cost effectiveness (ex post) analyses – least cost method to control (2) Ex ante analyses – Cost-benefit analysis 3 major components of valuation • Direct-use values Consumptive = monetary worth of specific, market-based goods & services Often easy to analyze But need to include both private (financial) and social (economic) prices 5) Impacts b) Economic ii) Methodology (1) Cost effectiveness (ex post) analyses – least cost method to control (2) Ex ante analyses – Cost-benefit analysis 3 major components of valuation • Direct-use values Consumptive = monetary worth of specific, market-based goods & services Often easy to analyze But need to include both private (financial) and social (economic) prices Non-consumptive = monetary worth of non-market goods & services (for example, tourism, recreational activities, etc.) 5) Impacts b) Economic ii) Methodology (1) Cost effectiveness (ex post) analyses – least cost method to control (2) Ex ante analyses – Cost-benefit analysis 3 major components of valuation • Direct-use values Consumptive = monetary worth of specific, market-based goods & services Often easy to analyze But need to include both private (financial) and social (economic) prices Non-consumptive = monetary worth of non-market goods & services (for example, tourism, recreational activities, etc.) More difficult to analyze; usually entail indirect approaches such as “travel cost” or “survey” methods 5) Impacts b) Economic ii) Methodology (1) Cost effectiveness (ex post) analyses – least cost method to control (2) Ex ante analyses – Cost-benefit analysis 3 major components of valuation • Direct-use values: Consumptive & Non-consumptive • Indirect-use values Value of ecosystem services 5) Impacts b) Economic ii) Methodology (1) Cost effectiveness (ex post) analyses – least cost method to control (2) Ex ante analyses – Cost-benefit analysis 3 major components of valuation • Direct-use values: Consumptive & Non-consumptive • Indirect-use values Value of ecosystem services Even more difficult to assess “Replacement” costs: cost to replace the services provided by the intact ecosystem. 5) Impacts b) Economic ii) Methodology (1) Cost effectiveness (ex post) analyses – least cost method to control (2) Ex ante analyses – Cost-benefit analysis 3 major components of valuation • Direct-use values: Consumptive & Non-consumptive • Indirect-use values Value of ecosystem services Even more difficult to assess “Replacement” costs: cost to replace the services provided by the intact ecosystem. e.g. cost of water treatment if wetlands lost 5) Impacts b) Economic ii) Methodology (1) Cost effectiveness (ex post) analyses – least cost method to control (2) Ex ante analyses – Cost-benefit analysis 3 major components of valuation • Direct-use values: Consumptive & Non-consumptive • Indirect-use values Value of ecosystem services Even more difficult to assess “Replacement” costs OR “Opportunity” costs 5) Impacts b) Economic ii) Methodology (1) Cost effectiveness (ex post) analyses – least cost method to control (2) Ex ante analyses – Cost-benefit analysis 3 major components of valuation • Direct-use values: Consumptive & Non-consumptive • Indirect-use values Value of ecosystem services Even more difficult to assess “Replacement” costs OR “Opportunity” costs: cost of lost opportunities or resources. 5) Impacts b) Economic ii) Methodology (1) Cost effectiveness (ex post) analyses – least cost method to control (2) Ex ante analyses – Cost-benefit analysis 3 major components of valuation • Direct-use values: Consumptive & Non-consumptive • Indirect-use values Value of ecosystem services Even more difficult to assess “Replacement” costs OR “Opportunity” costs: cost of lost opportunities or resources. e.g. 260-570 million gallons of water lost to Tamarisk transpiration in southern CA 5) Impacts b) Economic ii) Methodology (1) Cost effectiveness (ex post) analyses – least cost method to control (2) Ex ante analyses – Cost-benefit analysis 3 major components of valuation • Direct-use values: Consumptive & Non-consumptive • Indirect-use values • Non-use values “Existence” value : how to assess? 5) Impacts b) Economic ii) Methodology (1) Cost effectiveness (ex post) analyses – least cost method to control (2) Ex ante analyses – Cost-benefit analysis 3 major components of valuation • Direct-use values: Consumptive & Non-consumptive • Indirect-use values • Non-use values “Existence” value : how to assess? ‘Willingness to pay’ e.g. how much would you pay in tax to preserve wilderness areas even if you didn’t visit them for recreation? 5) Impacts b) Economic ii) Methodology (1) Cost effectiveness (ex post) analyses – least cost method to control (2) Ex ante analyses – Cost-benefit analysis 3 major components of valuation • Direct-use values: Consumptive & Non-consumptive • Indirect-use values • Non-use values Discount rate: preference for having $$ now versus having the same amount (adjusted for inflation) in the future 5) Impacts b) Economic ii) Methodology (1) Cost effectiveness (ex post) analyses – least cost method to control (2) Ex ante analyses – Cost-benefit analysis 3 major components of valuation • Direct-use values: Consumptive & Non-consumptive • Indirect-use values • Non-use values Discount rate: preference for having $$ now versus having the same amount (adjusted for inflation) in the future Typically set at the after-tax interest rate 5) Impacts b) Economic ii) Methodology (1) Cost effectiveness (ex post) analyses – least cost method to control (2) Ex ante analyses – Cost-benefit analysis 3 major components of valuation • Direct-use values: Consumptive & Non-consumptive • Indirect-use values • Non-use values Discount rate: preference for having $$ now versus having the same amount (adjusted for inflation) in the future Typically set at the after-tax interest rate For industrialized countries, typically 1-4% (2-3% commonly used in US) 5) Impacts b) Economic ii) Methodology (1) Cost effectiveness (ex post) analyses – least cost method to control (2) Ex ante analyses – Cost-benefit analysis 3 major components of valuation • Direct-use values: Consumptive & Non-consumptive • Indirect-use values • Non-use values Discount rate: preference for having $$ now versus having the same amount (adjusted for inflation) in the future Typically set at the after-tax interest rate For industrialized countries, typically 1-4% (2-3% commonly used in US) For developing countries with rapid economic growth and high rates of returns on investments, can be up to 10% 5) Impacts b) Economic Case study: Tamarix (saltcedar): Zavaleta 2002 • Relatively complete and detailed economic analysis Incorporates direct-use & indirect-use (but not non-use) values 5) Impacts b) Economic Case study: Tamarix • Introduced in mid-late 1800’s • Originally encouraged and subsidized by governments for windbreaks, erosion control & stream bank stabilization, ornamentals • Now widespread & dominant invader on much of the riparian areas of western US 5) Impacts b) Economic Case study: Tamarix • Introduced in mid-late 1800’s • Originally encouraged and subsidized by governments for windbreaks, erosion control & stream bank stabilization, ornamentals • Now widespread & dominant invader on much of the riparian areas of western US • Because of widespread distribution and dominance, likely to very expensive to eradicate 5) Impacts b) Economic Case study: Tamarix • Introduced in mid-late 1800’s • Originally encouraged and subsidized by governments for windbreaks, erosion control & stream bank stabilization, ornamentals • Now widespread & dominant invader on much of the riparian areas of western US • Because of widespread distribution and dominance, likely to very expensive to eradicate Will the economic benefits justify the costs? 5) Impacts b) Economic Case study: Tamarix – Will economic benefits justify costs? Economic analyses done by: • Zavaleta (2000) Ambio 29:462-467 • Zavaleta (2000) in Mooney & Hobbs 5) Impacts b) Economic Case study: Tamarix – Will economic benefits justify costs? Economic analyses done by: • Zavaleta (2000) Ambio 29:462-467 • Zavaleta (2000) in Mooney & Hobbs Assumptions: • Discount rate = 0% (overestimates the benefits) 5) Impacts b) Economic Case study: Tamarix – Will economic benefits justify costs? Economic analyses done by: • Zavaleta (2000) Ambio 29:462-467 • Zavaleta (2000) in Mooney & Hobbs Assumptions: • Discount rate = 0% (overestimates the benefits) • Costs are computed over a 20-year period to: (1) Evaluate sites (2) Eradicate Tamarix (3) Revegetate and monitor effectiveness 5) Impacts b) Economic Case study: Tamarix – Will economic benefits justify costs? Economic analyses done by: • Zavaleta (2000) Ambio 29:462-467 • Zavaleta (2000) in Mooney & Hobbs Assumptions: • Discount rate = 0% (overestimates the benefits) • Costs are computed over a 20-year period to: (1) Evaluate sites (2) Eradicate Tamarix (3) Revegetate and monitor effectiveness • Benefits of removing Tamarix and restoring natives are computed over a 55-year period 5) Impacts b) Economic Case study: Tamarix – Will economic benefits justify costs? Step #1 – aerial extent of Tamarix 5) Impacts b) Economic Case study: Tamarix – Will economic benefits justify costs? Step #1 – aerial extent of Tamarix. 2 estimates of acreage infested: • Conservative estimate: Based on surveys and observed minimal rates of spread – 1.16 million acres 5) Impacts b) Economic Case study: Tamarix – Will economic benefits justify costs? Step #1 – aerial extent of Tamarix. 2 estimates of acreage infested: • Conservative estimate: Based on surveys and observed minimal rates of spread – 1.16 million acres • Bold estimate: Based on very detailed information for the Lower Colorado River, extrapolated throughout the known distribution – 1.61 million acres 5) Impacts b) Economic Case study: Tamarix – Will economic benefits justify costs? Step #2 – Because Tamarix invades riparian areas, key to economic damage in arid West is water 5) Impacts b) Economic Case study: Tamarix – Will economic benefits justify costs? Step #2 – Because Tamarix invades riparian areas, key to economic damage in arid West is water • Estimated water loss from Tamarix vs. natives 5) Impacts b) Economic Case study: Tamarix – Will economic benefits justify costs? Step #2 – Because Tamarix invades riparian areas, key to economic damage in arid West is water • Estimated water loss from Tamarix vs. natives • All studies say Tamarix > natives, but the amount greater varies 5) Impacts b) Economic Case study: Tamarix – Will economic benefits justify costs? Step #2 – Because Tamarix invades riparian areas, key to economic damage in arid West is water • Estimated water loss from Tamarix vs. natives • All studies say Tamarix > natives, but the amount greater varies 2 estimates: (1) Mean of all studies: Tamarix uses 1.5 a.f. per year more than native vegetation – Bold estimate 5) Impacts b) Economic Case study: Tamarix – Will economic benefits justify costs? Step #2 – Because Tamarix invades riparian areas, key to economic damage in arid West is water • Estimated water loss from Tamarix vs. natives • All studies say Tamarix > natives, but the amount greater varies 2 estimates: (1) Bold estimate: Tamarix uses 1.5 a.f. per year more (2) Conservative estimate: 1.0 a.f. per year 5) Impacts b) Economic Case study: Tamarix – Will economic benefits justify costs? Step #2 – Because Tamarix invades riparian areas, key to economic damage in arid West is water • Estimated water loss from Tamarix vs. natives • All studies say Tamarix > natives, but the amount greater varies 2 estimates: (1) Bold estimate: Tamarix uses 1.5 a.f. per year more (2) Conservative estimate: 1.0 a.f. per year • Then simple math to estimate annual greater water loss due to Tamarix 5) Impacts b) Economic Case study: Tamarix – Will economic benefits justify costs? Step #3 – Convert water loss into economic loss • Economic losses related to • Consumptive use by municipalities 5) Impacts b) Economic Case study: Tamarix – Will economic benefits justify costs? Step #3 – Convert water loss into economic loss • Economic losses related to • Consumptive use by municipalities • Consumptive use for irrigation 5) Impacts b) Economic Case study: Tamarix – Will economic benefits justify costs? Step #3 – Convert water loss into economic loss • Economic losses related to • Consumptive use by municipalities • Consumptive use for irrigation • Non-consumptive use for hydro power and recreation 5) Impacts b) Economic Case study: Tamarix – Will economic benefits justify costs? Step #3 – Convert water loss into economic loss • Economic losses related to • Consumptive use by municipalities • Consumptive use for irrigation • Non-consumptive use for hydro power and recreation • Additional cost of increased flooding and flood mitigation • Impact on threatened species • Benefits: reservoirs (reduced sedimentation) habitat for game birds 5) Impacts b) Economic Case study: Tamarix – Will economic benefits justify costs? Step #3 – Convert water loss into economic loss • Municipal uses – Examined costs in 2 major urban areas: Southern California (Los Angeles south to San Diego) & Central Arizona (Phoenix) 5) Impacts b) Economic Case study: Tamarix – Will economic benefits justify costs? Step #3 – Convert water loss into economic loss • Municipal uses (1) Southern California – Metropolitan Water District of S. California plans to line 2 canal systems to conserve water plus build a desalination plant for drainage water from agricultural fields (this would ‘replace’ losses to tamarisk) 5) Impacts b) Economic Case study: Tamarix – Will economic benefits justify costs? Step #3 – Convert water loss into economic loss • Municipal uses (1) Southern California – Metropolitan Water District of S. California plans to line 2 canal systems to conserve water plus build a desalination plant for drainage water from agricultural fields Amount of water involved 5) Impacts b) Economic Case study: Tamarix – Will economic benefits justify costs? Step #3 – Convert water loss into economic loss • Municipal uses (1) Southern California – Metropolitan Water District of S. California plans to line 2 canal systems to conserve water plus build a desalination plant for drainage water from agricultural fields Amount of water involved Amount of $$ involved 5) Impacts b) Economic Case study: Tamarix – Will economic benefits justify costs? Step #3 – Convert water loss into economic loss • Municipal uses (1) Southern California – Metropolitan Water District of S. California plans to line 2 canal systems to conserve water plus build a desalination plant for drainage water from agricultural fields Amount of water involved Amount of $$ involved Estimate of cost per a.f. per year = total$ / (a.f. * 55 years) 5) Impacts b) Economic Case study: Tamarix – Will economic benefits justify costs? Step #3 – Convert water loss into economic loss • Municipal uses (1) Southern California – total costs $1.2 – 3.2 billion over 55 years ($22-58 million per year) 5) Impacts b) Economic Case study: Tamarix – Will economic benefits justify costs? Step #3 – Convert water loss into economic loss • Municipal uses (1) Southern California – $1.2 – 3.2 billion over 55 years (2) Central Arizona – Metropolitan Water District buying farmland and fallowing it at ~$150 per a.f. 5) Impacts b) Economic Case study: Tamarix – Will economic benefits justify costs? Step #3 – Convert water loss into economic loss • Municipal uses (1) Southern California – $1.2 – 3.2 billion over 55 years (2) Central Arizona – Metropolitan Water District buying farmland and fallowing it at ~$150 per a.f. Based on local Tamarix infestations & water use, costs $5-10 million per year 5) Impacts b) Economic Case study: Tamarix – Will economic benefits justify costs? Step #3 – Convert water loss into economic loss • Municipal uses (1) Southern California – $1.2 – 3.2 billion over 55 years (2) Central Arizona – Metropolitan Water District buying farmland and fallowing it at ~$150 per a.f. Based on local Tamarix infestations & water use, costs $5-10 million per year, or $270-530 million over 55 years 5) Impacts b) Economic Case study: Tamarix – Will economic benefits justify costs? Step #3 – Convert water loss into economic loss • Municipal uses (1) Southern California – $1.12 – 3.20 billion over 55 years (2) Central Arizona – $0.27 – 0.53 billion over 55 years 5) Impacts b) Economic Case study: Tamarix – Will economic benefits justify costs? Step #3 – Convert water loss into economic loss • Municipal uses (1) Southern California – $1.12 – 3.20 billion over 55 years (2) Central Arizona – $0.27 – 0.53 billion over 55 years ___________________________ TOTAL $1.4 – 3.7 billion 5) Impacts b) Economic Case study: Tamarix – Will economic benefits justify costs? Step #3 – Convert water loss into economic loss • Municipal uses (1) Southern California – $1.12 – 3.20 billion over 55 years (2) Central Arizona – $0.27 – 0.53 billion over 55 years ___________________________ TOTAL $1.4 – 3.7 billion + other metro areas 5) Impacts b) Economic Case study: Tamarix – Will economic benefits justify costs? Step #3 – Convert water loss into economic loss • Municipal uses – $1.4 – 3.7 billion • Agricultural uses 5) Impacts b) Economic Case study: Tamarix – Will economic benefits justify costs? Step #3 – Convert water loss into economic loss • Municipal uses – $1.4 – 3.7 billion • Agricultural uses More difficult to estimate because: (1) what crops are planted vary around the area and through time 5) Impacts b) Economic Case study: Tamarix – Will economic benefits justify costs? Step #3 – Convert water loss into economic loss • Municipal uses – $1.4 – 3.7 billion • Agricultural uses More difficult to estimate because: (1) what crops are planted vary around the area and through time (2) Some crops are cheap (e.g. grains) whereas others are more costly (e.g. melons) 5) Impacts b) Economic Case study: Tamarix – Will economic benefits justify costs? Step #3 – Convert water loss into economic loss • Municipal uses – $1.4 – 3.7 billion • Agricultural uses Low & high estimates of value of irrigation water based on lowest & highest reported values of crops in each region 5) Impacts b) Economic Case study: Tamarix – Will economic benefits justify costs? Step #3 – Convert water loss into economic loss • Municipal uses – $1.4 – 3.7 billion • Agricultural uses Low & high estimates of irrigation water value Next, 2 estimates of total annual losses: (1) Low estimate based on low irrigation water value and low (1.0 a.f.) Tamarisk water use 5) Impacts b) Economic Case study: Tamarix – Will economic benefits justify costs? Step #3 – Convert water loss into economic loss • Municipal uses – $1.4 – 3.7 billion • Agricultural uses Low & high estimates of irrigation water value Next, 2 estimates of total annual losses: (1) Low estimate: low irrigation water value and low water use (2) Mean estimate using a 80:20 of Low:High value of irrigation water and mean (1.5 a.f.) Tamarisk water use 5) Impacts b) Economic Case study: Tamarix – Will economic benefits justify costs? Step #3 – Convert water loss into economic loss • Municipal uses – $1.4 – 3.7 billion • Agricultural uses – $2.1 – 6.7 billion Low & high estimates of irrigation water value Next, 2 estimates of total annual losses: (1) Low estimate: low irrigation water value and low water use (2) Mean estimate using a 80:20 of Low:High value of irrigation water and mean (1.5 a.f.) Tamarisk water use 5) Impacts b) Economic Case study: Tamarix – Will economic benefits justify costs? Step #3 – Convert water loss into economic loss • Municipal uses – $1.4 – 3.7 billion • Agricultural uses – $2.1 – 6.7 billion • Hydroelectric power 5) Impacts b) Economic Case study: Tamarix – Will economic benefits justify costs? Step #3 – Convert water loss into economic loss • Municipal uses – $1.4 – 3.7 billion • Agricultural uses – $2.1 – 6.7 billion • Hydroelectric power Used values from the literature on how much it would cost to replace the power generated by 4 dams along the Colorado River 5) Impacts b) Economic Case study: Tamarix – Will economic benefits justify costs? Step #3 – Convert water loss into economic loss • Municipal uses – $1.4 – 3.7 billion • Agricultural uses – $2.1 – 6.7 billion • Hydroelectric power Cost to replace hydropower along the Colorado River Next, estimated the amount of acreage in Tamarisk upstream from dam and the corresponding amount of water used by Tamarisk 5) Impacts b) Economic Case study: Tamarix – Will economic benefits justify costs? Step #3 – Convert water loss into economic loss • Municipal uses – $1.4 – 3.7 billion • Agricultural uses – $2.1 – 6.7 billion • Hydroelectric power Cost to replace hydropower along the Colorado River Amount of water used by Tamarisk upstream from dam Then calculated the economic value of lost hydroelectric power generation 5) Impacts b) Economic Case study: Tamarix – Will economic benefits justify costs? Step #3 – Convert water loss into economic loss • Municipal uses – $1.4 – 3.7 billion • Agricultural uses – $2.1 – 6.7 billion • Hydroelectric power – $0.8 – 2.4 billion Cost to replace hydropower along the Colorado River Amount of water used by Tamarisk upstream from dam Economic value of lost hydroelectric power generation 5) Impacts b) Economic Case study: Tamarix – Will economic benefits justify costs? Step #3 – Convert water loss into economic loss • Municipal uses – $1.4 – 3.7 billion • Agricultural uses – $2.1 – 6.7 billion • Hydroelectric power – $0.8 – 2.4 billion Cost to replace hydropower along the Colorado River Amount of water used by Tamarisk upstream from dam Economic value of lost hydroelectric power generation Only a part of the hydroelectric power generation in the area 5) Impacts b) Economic Case study: Tamarix – Will economic benefits justify costs? Step #3 – Convert water loss into economic loss • Municipal uses – $1.4 – 3.7 billion • Agricultural uses – $2.1 – 6.7 billion • Hydroelectric power – $0.8 – 2.4 billion • Recreation Again, limited in data availability 5) Impacts b) Economic Case study: Tamarix – Will economic benefits justify costs? Step #3 – Convert water loss into economic loss • Municipal uses – $1.4 – 3.7 billion • Agricultural uses – $2.1 – 6.7 billion • Hydroelectric power – $0.8 – 2.4 billion • Recreation Limited data availability Some uses (e.g. fishing) are not an issue until water becomes extremely limited (which is not likely to be due to just Tamarisk) 5) Impacts b) Economic Case study: Tamarix – Will economic benefits justify costs? Step #3 – Convert water loss into economic loss • Municipal uses – $1.4 – 3.7 billion • Agricultural uses – $2.1 – 6.7 billion • Hydroelectric power – $0.8 – 2.4 billion • Recreation Limited data availability Some uses (e.g. fishing) are not an issue until water becomes extremely limited (which is not likely to be due to just Tamarisk) Rafting and kayaking are more sensitive to flows, and studies are available that have determined the value that boaters are willing to pay for increased flows 5) Impacts b) Economic Case study: Tamarix – Will economic benefits justify costs? Step #3 – Convert water loss into economic loss • Municipal uses – $1.4 – 3.7 billion • Agricultural uses – $2.1 – 6.7 billion • Hydroelectric power – $0.8 – 2.4 billion • Recreation Limited data availability Some uses are not valuable, but rafting and kayaking are valuable For Green River and Colorado River above Lake Mead, value of lost water for boating estimated at $0.5 – 2.3 million per year 5) Impacts b) Economic Case study: Tamarix – Will economic benefits justify costs? Step #3 – Convert water loss into economic loss • Municipal uses – $1.4 – 3.7 billion • Agricultural uses – $2.1 – 6.7 billion • Hydroelectric power – $0.8 – 2.4 billion • Recreation – $0.03 – 0.13 billion Limited data availability Some uses are not valuable, but rafting and kayaking are valuable For Green River and Colorado River above Lake Mead, value of lost water for boating estimated at $0.5 – 2.3 million per year times 55 years 5) Impacts b) Economic Case study: Tamarix – Will economic benefits justify costs? Step #3 – Convert water loss into economic loss • Municipal uses – $1.4 – 3.7 billion • Agricultural uses – $2.1 – 6.7 billion • Hydroelectric power – $0.8 – 2.4 billion • Recreation – $0.03 – 0.13 billion Limited data availability Some uses are not valuable, but rafting and kayaking are valuable For Green River and Colorado River above Lake Mead, value of lost water for boating estimated at $0.5 – 2.3 million per year Underestimates total value because only considers part of system 5) Impacts b) Economic Case study: Tamarix – Will economic benefits justify costs? Step #3 – Convert water loss into economic loss • Municipal uses – $1.4 – 3.7 billion • Agricultural uses – $2.1 – 6.7 billion • Hydroelectric power – $0.8 – 2.4 billion • Recreation – $0.03 – 0.13 billion • Flood control Tamarisk stand trap sediments, which leads to a narrowing river channel, and narrowing of the flood plain 1953 CHANGES IN RIPARIAN VEGETATION IN THE SOUTHWESTERN UNITED STATES: Floods and Riparian Vegetation on the San Juan River, Southeastern Utah-- USGS 1998 5) Impacts b) Economic Case study: Tamarix – Will economic benefits justify costs? Step #3 – Convert water loss into economic loss • Municipal uses – $1.4 – 3.7 billion • Agricultural uses – $2.1 – 6.7 billion • Hydroelectric power – $0.8 – 2.4 billion • Recreation – $0.03 – 0.13 billion • Flood control Tamarisk narrows river channel and flood plain Narrower channels means channel can hold less water, which means floods at lower volumes of water 5) Impacts b) Economic Case study: Tamarix – Will economic benefits justify costs? Step #3 – Convert water loss into economic loss • Municipal uses – $1.4 – 3.7 billion • Agricultural uses – $2.1 – 6.7 billion • Hydroelectric power – $0.8 – 2.4 billion • Recreation – $0.03 – 0.13 billion • Flood control Tamarisk narrows river channel and flood plain Narrower channels means more frequent floods Plus the dense vegetation backs-up the water , spreading it out over a larger area 5) Impacts b) Economic Case study: Tamarix – Will economic benefits justify costs? Step #3 – Convert water loss into economic loss • Municipal uses – $1.4 – 3.7 billion • Agricultural uses – $2.1 – 6.7 billion • Hydroelectric power – $0.8 – 2.4 billion • Recreation – $0.03 – 0.13 billion • Flood control Tamarisk narrows river channel and flood plain Narrower channels means more frequent floods Dense vegetation means larger floods Thus get more frequent and large floods 5) Impacts b) Economic Case study: Tamarix – Will economic benefits justify costs? Step #3 – Convert water loss into economic loss • Municipal uses – $1.4 – 3.7 billion • Agricultural uses – $2.1 – 6.7 billion • Hydroelectric power – $0.8 – 2.4 billion • Recreation – $0.03 – 0.13 billion • Flood control Tamarisk narrows river channel and flood plain Thus get more frequent and large floods Used Army Corps of Engineer’s conservative estimates of extra flood damage due to Tamarisk of $52 million per year 5) Impacts b) Economic Case study: Tamarix – Will economic benefits justify costs? Step #3 – Convert water loss into economic loss • Municipal uses – $1.4 – 3.7 billion • Agricultural uses – $2.1 – 6.7 billion • Hydroelectric power – $0.8 – 2.4 billion • Recreation – $0.03 – 0.13 billion • Flood control – $2.9 billion Tamarisk narrows river channel and flood plain Thus get more frequent and large floods Used Army Corps of Engineer’s conservative estimates of extra flood damage due to Tamarisk of $52 million per year times 55 years 5) Impacts b) Economic Case study: Tamarix – Will economic benefits justify costs? Step #3 – Convert water loss into economic loss • Municipal uses – $1.4 – 3.7 billion • Agricultural uses – $2.1 – 6.7 billion • Hydroelectric power – $0.8 – 2.4 billion • Recreation – $0.03 – 0.13 billion • Flood control – $2.9 billion • Wildlife Estimated impact for 3 federally-listed endangered and 1 candidate threatened species 5) Impacts b) Economic Case study: Tamarix – Will economic benefits justify costs? Step #3 – Convert water loss into economic loss • Municipal uses – $1.4 – 3.7 billion • Agricultural uses – $2.1 – 6.7 billion • Hydroelectric power – $0.8 – 2.4 billion • Recreation – $0.03 – 0.13 billion • Flood control – $2.9 billion • Wildlife Estimated impact Used a “Willingness To Pay” (WTP) method to estimate worth of wildlife habitat 5) Impacts b) Economic Case study: Tamarix – Will economic benefits justify costs? Step #3 – Convert water loss into economic loss • Municipal uses – $1.4 – 3.7 billion • Agricultural uses – $2.1 – 6.7 billion • Hydroelectric power – $0.8 – 2.4 billion • Recreation – $0.03 – 0.13 billion • Flood control – $2.9 billion • Wildlife Estimated impact Used a “Willingness To Pay” (WTP) method to estimate worth For willow flycatcher, discounted worth by 50% to account for possibility that people perceive less value in small songbirds than in “charismatic” eagles, cranes, and bighorn sheep 5) Impacts b) Economic Case study: Tamarix – Will economic benefits justify costs? Step #3 – Convert water loss into economic loss • Municipal uses – $1.4 – 3.7 billion • Agricultural uses – $2.1 – 6.7 billion • Hydroelectric power – $0.8 – 2.4 billion • Recreation – $0.03 – 0.13 billion • Flood control – $2.9 billion • Wildlife Estimated impact Used a “Willingness To Pay” (WTP) method to estimate worth Annual cost of $3.7 – 8.7 million 5) Impacts b) Economic Case study: Tamarix – Will economic benefits justify costs? Step #3 – Convert water loss into economic loss • Municipal uses – $1.4 – 3.7 billion • Agricultural uses – $2.1 – 6.7 billion • Hydroelectric power – $0.8 – 2.4 billion • Recreation – $0.03 – 0.13 billion • Flood control – $2.9 billion • Wildlife – $0.09 – 0.37 billion Estimated impact Used a “Willingness To Pay” (WTP) method to estimate worth Annual cost of $3.7 – 8.7 million times 55 years 5) Impacts b) Economic Case study: Tamarix – Will economic benefits justify costs? Step #3 – Convert water loss into economic loss and benefits • Municipal uses – $1.4 – 3.7 billion • Agricultural uses – $2.1 – 6.7 billion • Hydroelectric power – $0.8 – 2.4 billion • Recreation – $0.03 – 0.13 billion • Flood control – $2.9 billion • Wildlife – $0.09 – 0.37 billion • Sedimentation Tamarisk traps sediments, and hence increases lifetime of reservoirs 5) Impacts b) Economic Case study: Tamarix – Will economic benefits justify costs? Step #3 – Convert water loss into economic loss and benefits • Municipal uses – $1.4 – 3.7 billion • Agricultural uses – $2.1 – 6.7 billion • Hydroelectric power – $0.8 – 2.4 billion • Recreation – $0.03 – 0.13 billion • Flood control – $2.9 billion • Wildlife – $0.09 – 0.37 billion • Sedimentation – Benefits of $0.07 billion Tamarisk traps sediments, and hence increases lifetime of reservoirs 5) Impacts b) Economic Case study: Tamarix – Will economic benefits justify costs? Step #3 – Convert water loss into economic loss and benefits • Municipal uses – $1.4 – 3.7 billion • Agricultural uses – $2.1 – 6.7 billion • Hydroelectric power – $0.8 – 2.4 billion • Recreation – $0.03 – 0.13 billion • Flood control – $2.9 billion • Wildlife – $0.09 – 0.37 billion • Sedimentation – Benefits of $0.07 billion • Dove hunting Doves like Tamarisk thickets Increases value for hunting 5) Impacts b) Economic Case study: Tamarix – Will economic benefits justify costs? Economic losses and benefits • Municipal uses – $1.4 – 3.7 billion • Agricultural uses – $2.1 – 6.7 billion • Hydroelectric power – $0.8 – 2.4 billion • Recreation – $0.03 – 0.13 billion • Flood control – $2.9 billion • Wildlife – $0.09 – 0.37 billion • Sedimentation – Benefits of $0.07 billion • Dove hunting – Benefits of $0.02 billion Doves like Tamarisk thickets Increases value for hunting 5) Impacts b) Economic Case study: Tamarix – Will economic benefits justify costs? Add up the total cost • Municipal uses $1.4 – 3.7 billion • Agricultural uses $2.1 – 6.7 billion • Hydroelectric power $0.8 – 2.4 billion • Recreation $0.03 – 0.13 billion • Flood control $2.9 billion • Wildlife $0.09 – 0.37 billion • Sedimentation - $0.07 billion • Dove hunting - $0.02 billion ________________ TOTAL $7.3 – 16.1 billion loss 5) Impacts b) Economic Case study: Tamarix – Will economic benefits justify costs? Step #4 – What are the costs to eradicate Tamarisk? • Used a 20-year, progressive eradication program 5) Impacts b) Economic Case study: Tamarix – Will economic benefits justify costs? Put it all together 5) Impacts b) Economic Case study: Tamarix – Will economic benefits justify costs? Put it all together Economic losses 5) Impacts b) Economic Case study: Tamarix – Will economic benefits justify costs? Put it all together Economic losses, even when take out the “non-use” values 5) Impacts b) Economic Case study: Tamarix – Will economic benefits justify costs? Put it all together Economic losses, even when take out the “non-use” values, are greater then the costs to eradicate 5) Impacts b) Economic Case study: Tamarix – Will economic benefits justify costs? Put it all together Economic losses greater then the costs to eradicate Thus economically beneficial to eradicate 5) Impacts b) Economic Case study: Tamarix – Will economic benefits justify costs? Put it all together Economic losses greater then the costs to eradicate Thus economically beneficial to eradicate Benefits 2-3 times greater than costs 5) Impacts b) Economic Case study: Tamarix – Will economic benefits justify costs? Put it all together -- Benefits greater than costs even up to 6% discount rate 5) Impacts b) Economic Case study: Klamath weed (Hypericum perforatum) • Broad-leaved, perennial herb • Introduced to North America from Europe in 1793 • Reached California in late 1800’s Jim Stasz @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database 5) Impacts b) Economic Case study: Klamath weed (Hypericum perforatum) • Broad-leaved, perennial herb • Introduced from Europe in 1793; reached California late 1800’s • Extremely invasive • Toxic to wildlife & livestock Photos: Ian Davidson ©Norman E. Rees, USDA ARS, www.forestryimages.org From northwestweeds.nsw.gov.au 5) Impacts b) Economic Case study: Klamath weed (Hypericum perforatum) • Broad-leaved, perennial herb • Introduced from Europe in 1793; reached California late 1800’s • Extremely invasive; toxic • By early 1940’s: 5 million acres of rangeland in western North America infested 5) Impacts b) Economic Case study: Klamath weed (Hypericum perforatum) • Broad-leaved, perennial herb • Introduced from Europe in 1793; reached California late 1800’s • Extremely invasive; toxic • By early 1940’s: 5 million acres of infested rangeland • Biological control in California 1945/1946: 2 leaf feeders introduced 1950: root feeder introduced 5) Impacts b) Economic Case study: Klamath weed (Hypericum perforatum) • Broad-leaved, perennial herb • Introduced from Europe in 1793; reached California late 1800’s • Extremely invasive; toxic • By early 1940’s: 5 million acres of infested rangeland • Biological control in California 1945/1946: 2 leaf feeders introduced 1950: root feeder introduced Total Cost: $750,000 5) Impacts b) Economic Case study: Klamath weed (Hypericum perforatum) • Broad-leaved, perennial herb • Introduced from Europe in 1793; reached California late 1800’s • Extremely invasive; toxic • By early 1940’s: 5 million acres of infested rangeland • Biological control in California: 1945-1950 @ $750,000 total cost • By early 1960’s in California, insects had reduced Klamath weed acreage to <1% of peak acreage 5) Impacts b) Economic Case study: Klamath weed (Hypericum perforatum) • Broad-leaved, perennial herb • Introduced from Europe in 1793; reached California late 1800’s • Extremely invasive; toxic • By early 1940’s: 5 million acres of infested rangeland • Biological control in California: 1945-1950 @ $750,000 total cost • By early 1960’s in California, insects had reduced Klamath weed acreage to <1% of peak acreage • Annual benefits estimated @ $3,500,000 per year in California 5) Impacts b) Economic Case study: Klamath weed (Hypericum perforatum) • Broad-leaved, perennial herb • Introduced from Europe in 1793; reached California late 1800’s • Extremely invasive; toxic • By early 1940’s: 5 million acres of infested rangeland • Biological control in California: 1945-1950 @ $750,000 total cost • By early 1960’s in California, insects had reduced Klamath weed acreage to <1% of peak acreage • Annual benefits estimated @ $3,500,000 per year in California Total Benefits (1965 – 2005): $140 million Benefit : Cost ratio = 187 : 1 (not adjusted for inflation) 5) Impacts b) Economic Case study: Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum) From Eiswerth et al. (2000) Weed Technology 14:511-518 • Aquatic weed • Submersed, rooted perennial whose stems branch near water surface and form dense mats. Grows in waters up to 6 m deep, depending on light penetration. • Best suited for still waters (lakes, ponds), but does well in rivers and irrigation ditches fwcb.cfans.umn.edu 5) Impacts b) Economic Case study: Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum) From Eiswerth et al. (2000) Weed Technology 14:511-518 • Aquatic weed that forms dense, floating mats • Native to Europe, Asia, & North Africa • Introduced to Chesapeake Bay in 1880’s • Today, in 45 of the 48 continental states Colette C. Jacono and M.M. Richerson USGS 5) Impacts b) Economic Case study: Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum) From Eiswerth et al. (2000) Weed Technology 14:511-518 • Aquatic weed that forms dense, floating mats • Introduced to Chesapeake Bay in 1880’s; now widespread throughout US • Spreads primarily by plant fragments Fragments float downstream, growing leaves and stems until it settles in and roots Fragments also adhere to boats & trailers, and thus are transported from lake to lake 5) Impacts b) Economic Case study: Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum) From Eiswerth et al. (2000) Weed Technology 14:511-518 • Aquatic weed that forms dense, floating mats • Introduced to Chesapeake Bay in 1880’s; now widespread throughout US • Spreads primarily by plant fragments • Population reported at Tahoe Keys Marina since 1960’s Virtually all marinas & shorelines areas around Lake Tahoe are now invaded In 1999, found near Verdi and at Stillwater 5) Impacts b) Economic Case study: Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum) From Eiswerth et al. (2000) Weed Technology 14:511-518 • Aquatic weed that forms dense, floating mats • Introduced to Chesapeake Bay in 1880’s; now widespread throughout US • Spreads primarily by plant fragments • Population reported at Lake Tahoe since 1960’s • Economic impacts include ↓ recreational activities (fishing, boating, swimming, etc.) Clog irrigation canals, gates, etc. ↓hydroelectric generation by clogging intake pipes Non-use value: degradation of Lake Tahoe 5) Impacts b) Economic Case study: Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum) From Eiswerth et al. (2000) Weed Technology 14:511-518 • Aquatic weed that forms dense, floating mats • Introduced to Chesapeake Bay in 1880’s; now widespread throughout US • Spreads primarily by plant fragments • Population reported at Lake Tahoe since 1960’s • Economic impacts include ↓ recreational activities (fishing, boating, swimming, etc.) Clog irrigation canals, gates, etc. ↓hydroelectric generation by clogging intake pipes Non-use value: degradation of Lake Tahoe Study only focused on recreational uses 5) Impacts b) Economic Case study: Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum) From Eiswerth et al. (2000) Weed Technology 14:511-518 • Economic impacts on recreational activities • Used “Benefits Transfer Approach” Used economic values for activities that were developed in other studies and applied them to this case (rather then conduct new and expensive studies) But used local visitation records to calculate the total economic value 5) Impacts b) Economic Case study: Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum) From Eiswerth et al. (2000) Weed Technology 14:511-518 • Economic impacts on recreational activities • Used “Benefits Transfer Approach” • Estimated low & high economic values 5) Impacts b) Economic Case study: Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum) From Eiswerth et al. (2000) Weed Technology 14:511-518 • Economic impacts on recreational activities • Used “Benefits Transfer Approach” • Estimated low & high economic values for only 4 sites on the Tahoe-Truckee-Pyramid watershed 5) Impacts b) Economic Case study: Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum) From Eiswerth et al. (2000) Weed Technology 14:511-518 • Economic impacts on recreational activities • Used “Benefits Transfer Approach” • Low & high economic values for 4 sites on watershed • Baseline economic value of 4 areas = $30-45 million per year 5) Impacts b) Economic Case study: Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum) From Eiswerth et al. (2000) Weed Technology 14:511-518 • Economic impacts on recreational activities • Used “Benefits Transfer Approach” • Low & high economic values for 4 sites on watershed • Baseline economic value of 4 areas = $30-45 million per year If 100% infestation, lose $30-45 million per year 5) Impacts b) Economic Case study: Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum) From Eiswerth et al. (2000) Weed Technology 14:511-518 • Economic impacts on recreational activities • Used “Benefits Transfer Approach” • Low & high economic values for 4 sites on watershed • Baseline economic value of 4 areas = $30-45 million per year If 100% infestation, lose $30-45 million per year If 5% infestation, lose >$1 million per year 5) Impacts b) Economic Case study: Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum) From Eiswerth et al. (2000) Weed Technology 14:511-518 • Economic impacts on recreational activities • Used “Benefits Transfer Approach” • Low & high economic values for 4 sites on watershed • Baseline economic value of 4 areas = $30-45 million per year If 100% infestation, lose $30-45 million per year If 5% infestation, lose >$1 million per year Only part of watershed in economic analysis 5) Impacts b) Economic Other examples include: Fires due to invasive species • Loss of property & resources • Loss of human life • Fire suppression & rehabilitation costs http://dcnr.nv.gov/graphic/waterfall_fire4.jpg 5) Impacts b) Economic Other examples include: Fires due to invasive species Loss of ecosystem functions • Wetland degradation (water purification) • Habitat loss and consequences for TES protection & mitigation 5) Impacts b) Economic Other examples include: Fires due to invasive species Loss of ecosystem functions Agricultural losses • Weeds in crops • Weeds in pastures • Weeds that have escaped from crops/pastures 5) Impacts c) Social i) Water quantity and quality 5) Impacts c) Social i) Water quantity and quality Water use by Tamarix in western US • 3000-4600 m3 ha-1 yr-1 more than native vegetation (1.16 – 2.41 million acre-feet) 5) Impacts c) Social i) Water quantity and quality Water use by Tamarix in western US • 3000-4600 m3 ha-1 yr-1 more than native vegetation (1.16 – 2.41 million acre-feet) • This amount comparable to TOTAL annual precip (2000 – 4500 m3 ha-1 yr-1) throughout invaded region 5) Impacts c) Social i) Water quantity and quality Water use by Tamarix in western US • 3000-4600 m3 ha-1 yr-1 more than native vegetation (1.16 – 2.41 million acre-feet) • This amount comparable to TOTAL annual precip (2000 – 4500 m3 ha-1 yr-1) throughout invaded region • Increases water use in several ways: more transpiration, accesses deeper water, creates more areas of dense vegetation, and traps sediment creating banks that it then colonizes (further increasing vegetation along river) 5) Impacts c) Social i) • • Water quantity and quality Tamarix in western US South African fynbos Eucalypts, pines, Acacias, and other species have invaded the fynbos of South Africa’s Cape Province 5) Impacts c) Social i) • • Water quantity and quality Tamarix in western US South African fynbos Eucalypts, pines Acacias, and other species have invaded the fynbos of South Africa’s Cape Province Trees use prodigious amounts of water (2.4 million acre-feet per year) 5) Impacts c) Social i) • • Water quantity and quality Tamarix in western US South African fynbos Eucalypts, pines Acacias, and other species have invaded the fynbos of South Africa’s Cape Province Trees use prodigious amounts of water (2.4 million acre-feet per year) Has lead to major water losses: many rivers now flow very infrequently or not at all! Agricultural production has severely declined 5) Impacts c) Social ii) Human health • Most examples involve animals; are intermediate hosts for infectious diseases • Example where plant is directly implicated is with sleeping sickness in Africa 5) Impacts c) Social ii) Human health • Most examples involve animals; are intermediate hosts for infectious diseases • Example where plant is directly implicated is with sleeping sickness in Africa Neotropical shrub Lantana camara is invading east Africa Provides a habitat for the normally stream-dwelling tsetse fly ↑ incidence of sleeping sickness in humans as well as wild & domesticated animals. Studies show three species Of tsetse attracted to Compounds in flowers and Foliage of L. camara 5) Impacts c) Social ii) Human health • Most examples involve animals; are intermediate hosts for infectious diseases • Another example where plant is directly implicated: Parthinium weed (Parthenium hysterophorus) in Pakistan and Australia • Pollen and plant materials contain strongly toxic and irritating volatiles • Major cause of severe allergic reaction in Islamabad • Symptoms include skin irritations, hay fever, itchy eyes and blistered eyelids