Predicting the total economic impacts of invasive species: The case of B. rubostriata (red streaked leafhopper)

• Autores: Lirong Liu, Brian Piper
• Localización: Ecological Economics, ISSN-e 1873-6106, Nº. 128, 2016, págs. 139-146
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • Abstract This paper predicts the total economic impacts of an impending invasion of Balclutha rubostriata (henceforth B. rubostriata) in the sugarcane-producing regions of Louisiana. B. rubostriata is a non-native species that feeds on sugarcane and can be a carrier of sugarcane white leaf phytoplasma, a disease capable of causing up to 100% crop loss. The total economic impacts considered in the prediction include direct, indirect and induced economic impacts. These estimates are essential for policy-makers to formulate appropriate responses. Results show that the cumulative total impacts could be as high as $5.4 million from B. rubostriata only or $71.6 million from B. rubostriata and the phytoplasma after 5 years. State and local governments could lose a cumulative total of $438,450 in tax while federal revenues would be reduced by $4 million with B. rubostriata and phytoplasma after 5 years. Cumulative employment effects range from 184 lost jobs with just B. rubostriata to 2460 lost jobs with B. rubostriata and phytoplasma by year 5, about one-tenth percentage point increase in Louisiana's unemployment rate at current employment levels.