Cooperative Agreement for Affiliated Partner with the Hawaii- Pacific Islands Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU)

Summary

The USGS is offering a funding opportunity to a CESU partner for research on brown treesnakes (Boiga irregularis) in the Pacific Islands. Brown treesnakes (BTS) have caused the severe decline, extirpation, or extinction of several native terrestrial vertebrate species in Guam. The USGS Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center (PIERC) has staff on Guam and elsewhere that conduct research on biology and control of BTS to mitigate economic and ecological impacts and risks of BTS, including enhancing military readiness through participating in biosecurity and biosurveillance initiatives. USGS- PIERC also manages the BTS Rapid Response Team, which trains cooperators throughout the Pacific region and stands ready to respond to snake sightings on short notice. Research by USGS-PIERC on control and interdiction of brown treesnakes is currently funded by U.S. Department of the Navy, DOI Office of Insular Affairs, and the USGS Invasive Species Program.USGS is looking to leverage collaborations to incorporate skills in the capture, removal, detection, and technical familiarity with Guam into the broader research goals of long-standing USGS research on BTS in Guam.