Using decision analysis to support proactive management of emerging infectious wildlife diseases

Authors

Evan H. Campbell Grant, US Geological Survey
Erin Muths, USGS
Rachel A. Katz, US Geological Survey, University of Massachusetts–Amherst
Stefano Canessa, Zoological Society of London
Michael J. Adams, USGS
Jennifer R. Ballard, US Fish and Wildlife Service
Lee Berger, James Cook University
Cheryl J. Briggs, University of California–Santa Barbara
Jeremy TH Coleman, USFWS
Matthew J. Gray, University of Tennessee
M Camille Harris, USGS – Ecosystems
Reid N. Harris, James Madison University
Blake Hossack, USGS
Kathryn P. Huyvaert, Colorado State University
Jonathan Kolby, James Cook University
Karen R. Lips, University of Maryland
Robert E. Lovich, Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southwest
Hamish I. McCallum, Environmental Futures Research Institute and Griffith School of Environment
Joseph R. Mendelson III, Zoo Atlanta, Georgia Institute of Technology
Priya Nanjappa, Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies
Deanna H. Olson, US Forest Service
Jenny G. Powers, US National Park Service
Katherine LD Richgels, USGS, University of Wisconsin Madison
Robin E. Russell, USGS
Benedikt R. Schmidt, KARCH, University of Zurich
Annemarieke Spitzen-van der Sluijs, Reptielen Amfibieën Vissen Onderzoek Nederland
Mary Kay Watry, Rocky Mountain National Park
Douglas C. Woodhams, University of Massachusetts Boston
C LeAnn White, USGS

Date of this Version

2017

Citation

Front Ecol Environ 2017; 15(4): 214–221, doi:10.1002/fee.1481

Comments

This document is a U.S. government work and is not subject to copyright in the United States.

Abstract

Despite calls for improved responses to emerging infectious diseases in wildlife, management is seldom considered until a disease has been detected in affected populations. Reactive approaches may limit the potential for control and increase total response costs. An alternative, proactive management framework can identify immediate actions that reduce future impacts even before a disease is detected, and plan subsequent actions that are conditional on disease emergence. We identify four main obstacles to developing proactive management strategies for the newly discovered salamander pathogen Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal). Given that uncertainty is a hallmark of wildlife disease management and that associated decisions are often complicated by multiple competing objectives, we advocate using decision analysis to create and evaluate trade-offs between proactive (pre-emergence) and reactive (post-emergence) management options. Policy makers and natural resource agency personnel can apply principles from decision analysis to improve strategies for countering emerging infectious diseases.