An economic evaluation of biological control of hieracium

Abstract

This report presents the results of a cost-benefit analysis of biological control of hieracium. In South Island high country areas, species of the introduced hieracium genus are problem weeds. Mouse-ear hawkweed and king devil hawkweed are among two of the most abundant tussock grassland species in some areas of the South Island run country. These species exclude other plants and reduce feed availability, so causing a loss of agricultural production. They also exclude native grassland species and represent a threat to conservation values. The analytical framework presented provides a useful tool for further analysis of the assumptions used and the issues involved in biological control.