Introduction Potential Surface for woodwasp (Sirex noctilio) for the conterminous US

The Introduction Potential Surface for Sirex noctilio was produced for the Conterminous United States (CUS) in 1 square kilometer (km2) units by the U.S. Forest Service, Forest Health Technology Enterprise Teams (FHTET) Invasive Species Steering Committee. The products intended use in conjunction with the Establishment Potential Surface is to develop a Susceptibility Potential Surface for Sirex noctilio. Three primary datasets with standardized values from 0 to 10 were used as variables in the analysis. Each data set was used in a weighted overlay process where Principal Ports = 33% and Markets = 33% and Distribution centers = 34%.

Each of the variables was used to depict potential locations where Sirex noctilio could be released into the CUS. To delineate Sirex noctilio potential flight range, a curvilinear distance decay value was assigned with a risk rating of 10 at the source location and decreasing to 0 at 50 miles away.

Principal Ports. Source: Army Corps of Engineer, Waterborne Commerce, Foreign Cargo Statistics (1996 to 2003). A summary of imported tonnage of commodities that use Solid Wood Packing Material (SWPM), the packing material associated with Siricidae species interceptions, recorded in the APHIS PINS data base. Only commodities exported from countries where Sirex noctilio is present were included, countries of origin were not ranked. This point data was converted to 1 km2 grid cells.

Markets. Source: Federal Highway Administration, Freight Management and Operations, Freight Analysis Framework, Highway Truck Volume and Capacity Data and Environmental Systems Research Institutes (ESRI) City polygon Data. Flow/capacity data was used to determine the number of truck trips occurring within the city polygons, which were then used to define potential markets.