429Chapter 15
Economic Modeling and the Management
of Exotic Annual Bromus Species: Accounting
for Ecosystem Dynamics, Ecological
Thresholds, and Spatial Interdependencies
Mark Eiswerth , Rebecca Epanchin-Niell , Kimberly Rollins ,
and Michael H. Taylor
Abstract This chapter describes how economic models can inform management of
exotic annual Bromus species on rangelands in the Western United States. It surveys
published studies that develop bio-economic models of the management of Bromus
species and other exotic annual invasive grasses, focusing on the challenges of rep-
resenting the complex dynamics of rangeland ecosystems within tractable models
of economic decision-making. The discussion starts with elements that are common
to most economic models of Bromus management, then turns to contributions from
the literature that have developed bio-economic models that capture three salient
features of Bromus invasion: the dynamics of Bromus invasion, ecological thresh-
olds related to Bromus , and spatial interdependencies in biophysical and human
systems. The chapter synthesizes insights gained from this literature for managing
Bromus in the Western United States, including insights on where to direct Bromus
management resources on the landscape to achieve the greatest benefi t given limited
funds for management and on how to improve the design of policies that encourage
socially effi cient Bromus management by private land managers. The chapter con-
cludes by identifying key areas where further research into the economics of Bromus
management is needed.
M. Eiswerth (*)
Department of Economics , University of Northern Colorado , Greeley , CO 80639 , USA
e-mail: [email protected]
R. Epanchin-Niell
Resources for the Future , Washington , DC 20036 , USA
e-mail: [email protected]
K. Rollins • M. H. Taylor
Department of Economics , University of Nevada, Reno , Reno , NV 89557 , USA
e-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]
© Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2016
M.J. Germino et al. (eds.), Exotic Brome-Grasses in Arid and Semiarid
Ecosystems of the Western US, Springer Series on Environmental Management,
DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-24930-8_15