mapBioControl

www.mapbiocontrol.org

Funding Sources: USDA APHIS PPQ

The emerald ash borer (EAB) threatens forests and economies nationwide. Biological control using parasitoid wasps depends on reliable tracking of releases and recoveries. The mapBioControl project, led by Michigan State University with USDA partners, delivers a geospatial platform that standardizes data, supports real-time reporting, and strengthens invasive species management.

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Project deliverables

01     Improved Forest Health
02    Smart Management Savings
03    National Data Standardization
04    Rapid Field–to-DB Sync
05    Long-Term Infrastructure

Overview and Summary

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Key Achievements & Impacts

Improved Forest Health Outcomes
mapBioControl enables agencies to evaluate which sites support the successful establishment of parasitoids, directly informing where future releases will have the greatest ecological impact.
Cost Savings through Smarter Management
By identifying high-success sites early, agencies avoid wasting resources on ineffective release areas. This leads to more efficient use of federal and state funding.
National Data Standardization
For the first time, cooperators across more than a dozen states and Canadian provinces can contribute to and access a unified dataset, strengthening cross-agency collaboration.
Rapid Field-to-Database Integration
Mobile GIS tools streamline fieldwork, reducing data entry errors and enabling real-time updates that improve responsiveness during active release seasons.
Resilient Infrastructure for Long-Term Use
With enhanced server security, daily backups, and a new replication system, mapBioControl ensures uninterrupted access to critical data for decision-makers nationwide.

Outcomes to Date

Extensive Tracking of Biological Control: Since 2010, mapBioControl has documented thousands of parasitoid release and recovery events, creating the most comprehensive dataset for EAB biocontrol in North America.
National Collaboration: The platform supports cooperators across more than a dozen U.S. states and Canadian provinces, providing a common framework for monitoring, evaluation, and data sharing.
Improved Field Efficiency: Mobile GIS tools have reduced errors, streamlined field data collection, and enabled near real-time reporting of parasitoid establishment.
Enhanced Data Transparency: Web dashboards and mapping tools provide open access to standardized data, helping agencies, researchers, and policymakers track progress and make informed decisions.
Resilient Infrastructure: Secure servers, daily backups, and the installation of a replication system ensure uninterrupted data availability and protect critical national datasets.

Future Directions

Scaling Beyond EAB: Expand the mapBioControl framework to support biological control programs for other invasive pests, leveraging its proven adaptability to new species and regions.
Advanced Analytics: Develop enhanced tools to model site conditions, predict establishment success, and identify high-priority areas for future releases.
Greater Integration: Link mapBioControl with other USDA and state invasive species databases to improve interoperability and broaden data sharing.
User Expansion: Continue onboarding new cooperators and provide training to ensure wider adoption and consistent data quality across agencies.
Policy and Management Support: Use mapBioControl insights to guide federal and state decision-making, strengthening cost-effective forest health strategies and long-term resilience.

Highlights

EAB Known Infested Counties

Hosted by the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS). Interactive map showing know US counties infested by the Emerald Ash Borer beetle.

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