Progress 09/01/09 to 08/31/12
Outputs
Target Audience: Research scientists and government agencies working in partnership to control and eliminate harmful invasive pests, plants, and diseases that threaten harm to natural ecosystems and important food production systems. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? The project provided funds for the 2011 and 2012 CFCS Alien Invasive Species workshops. The TSTAR Administrative Grant workshop funds help directly and indirectly train graduate students and new scientists to gain exposure to a broad base of research on invasive pests and diseases. Because of the diversity that exists in the Caribbean, the scientists are able to collaborate with those from different University systems, various government entities, and a broad base of stakeholders all working together across the Caribbean region. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Primarily individual project directors have reported results in various peer reviewed journals. Additionally, project directors and research assistants present at conferences like the TSTAR sponsored Caribbean Food Crops Society - Alien Invasive Species (CFCS-AIS) annual meeting. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
26 New TSTAR recipients in 2009 received funding targeted on the control and eradication of invasive pests and diseases in the Southeastern US and the Caribbean. Researchers from the University of Florida, University of Puerto Rico, and the University of the Virgin Islands led distinct efforts which are separately documented in the USDA CRIS/REEport System. The management functions accomplished to ensure quality research include: Requesting and obtaining research proposals; have proposals peer reviewed; provide results of reviews to Caribbean Administrative Group (CAG); review all paperwork required for funding projects approved by CAG; work with PI's in preparing documentation for extensions of funding; work with scientists in organizing special workshops approved by CAG; prepare paperwork necessary for semiannual meetings of CAG at which program decisions are made; implement CAG's program decisions; obtain annual and termination reports of research; maintain documentation on CAG program objectives and high-priority research objectives; collect and store reprints of journal publications produced by CAG-sponsored research and maintain computerized databases of the research accomplishments; and provide information in response to inquiries about the CAG program and its technical output.
Publications
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Progress 09/01/09 to 08/31/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The 26 New TSTAR recipients in 2009 supported by the management grant's activities focused primarily on control and eradication of invasive pests and diseases that plague the Southeast Region of the US and the Caribbean. Researchers from University of Florida, University of Puerto Rico and the University of the Virgin Islands led these initiatives which each have a distinct CRIS entry. Activities undertaken related to the management of those 26 grants included: Obtain research proposals; have proposals peer reviewed; provide results of reviews to Caribbean Administrative Group (CAG); review all paperwork required for funding projects approved by CAG; obtain and assemble progress reports during the tenure of research projects; work with PI's in preparing documentation for extension of funding; work with scientists in organizing special workshops approved by CAG; prepare paperwork necessary for semiannual meetings of CAG at which program decisions are made; implement CAG's program decisions; obtain annual and termination reports of research; maintain documentation on CAG program objectives and high-priority research objectives; Events organized as a result of these funds include: TSTAR sponsored and organized Alien Invasive Species Workshop held at the 45th Annual Meeting of the Caribbean Food Crops Society, July 12-17th in St Kitts. Dissemination of the above events include: 1) Information related to TSTAR grants located on the official TSTAR website: http://research.ifas.ufl.edu/tstar 2) CFCS proceedings from 2009 and 2010 details the information presented at the TSTAR sponsored AIS workshop as well as displaying other TSTAR research in the various other symposia at the CFCS. Proceedings available at: http://cfcs.eea.uprm.edu/ PARTICIPANTS: TSTAR-Caribbean Administrative Group responsible for the Management Grant include: Dr. Douglas Archer, TSTAR Program Manager, 2) Dr. Wayne Smith, Peer Review Coordinator for the Caribbean Administrative Group, University of Florida 3) Dr. Vivian Carro, Assistant Dean, University of Puerto Rico 4) Dr. Bob Godfrey, Assistant Director, University of the Virgin Islands 5) Dr. Eric Young, Executive Director, Southern Association of Agricultural Experiment Station Directors 6) Dr. Mervalin Morrant, Program Manager, USDA/CSREES, Washington, D.C. 7) Dr. Ricardo Goenaga, USDA/ARS Director, Tropical Agriculture Research Station, Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. and 8) Mr. Mark Trujillo, Administrative Assistant for TSTAR-C. TARGET AUDIENCES: Faculty at the University of Florida, University of Puerto Rico, and University of the Virgin Islands who conduct research on Tropical or SubTropical Agricultural Issues, particularly ones that are focused on eradicating or reducing the harmful effects of invasive species to food and the natural environment. Through the varied research projects facilitated by the TSTAR-C management grant program, the stakeholders from various Caribbean countries and US territories are able to collaborate on Invasive Species Research and other agricultural challenges and improvements that impact the region. Each researcher also disseminates their research findings through peer review journals, extension articles, the web, and other popular and scientific media. The TSTAR-C program facilitates further dissemination by hosting workshops at the annual Caribbean Food Crops Society Conference and through other special TSTAR-C workshops. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Based on a study of TSTAR FY2008 research conducted in 2011, the previous TSTAR research on invasives evidences more than 10x return on investment. That is, for every state and federal dollar invested in TSTAR research, there is an expected savings of $10 or more to agricultural producers, etc. Projections are that there will be close to 100 publications based on findings from TSTAR Research in FY2009. Continued followup on the progress of these 26 grants from the management grant staff will determine what effect TSTAR funds are having on crops and the natural environment.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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