Now that the report is done, what is the next step for USGS?
The authors of this work are researchers whose responsibility is to apply the best science to key ecological management problems of our time. Research into invasive reptile species can take many forms. For example, the authors are well aware that many aspects of risk assessment are not as refined as one would like. The authors are therefore studying a variety of ways of improving the science of invasive species risk assessment. They are also studying ways of improving the control of invasive snake populations, such as the Burmese python, boa constrictor, and northern African python in Florida, three species of watersnake in California, and the brown treesnake in Guam. However, this report will also be used by other agencies, such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, to consider educational and regulatory initiatives that might be taken to keep the U.S. safe from harm by invasive species.
