Ability to Respond Total:3 / 25Ability to Respond = ( Ease of Response + Tools in Place )
Confidence:High
Confidence Notes:
Impact
Spread
Notes
Score
Spread Rate
It has been migrating towards the West. It is unclear if it could survive in Southern California's warmer temperatures, but it seems likely that it could survive in the North.
3
Spread Amount
Thus far the taxon has remained along the East Coast and seems to thrive in colder temperatures. It has proven to be highly contagious.
3
Damage
Notes
Score
Ecological
The supreme toll that this taxon takes on bats, who are a keystone species in terms of pollination and insect control, cannot be understated.
5
Agricultural
The loss of such an important natural check on insect populations will most definitely be detrimental to agriculture (increased pest damage, increased pesticide usage, etc.).
2
Infrastructure
0
Cultural
Loss of the bat populations and the effect that it will have on local ecosystems (loss of local plant life, increased insect populations) will definitely impact people's enjoyment of nature and outdoor activities.
3
Health
Losing an important check on insects, many of whom can be hosts for zoonotic pathogens, could have public health consequences.
2
Benefit
Notes
Score
Ecological
0
Agricultural
0
Infrastructure
0
Cultural
0
Health
0
Total
18
Ability to Respond
Ease of Response
Notes
Score
Detection
It is fairly easy to detect WNS, as it is outwardly apparent. However, it is still unclear as to how the pathogen promulgates.
3
Control
Because the spreading agent is unclear and the taxon has spread rapidly throughout the East Coast since its discovery in 2006, control has proven elusive.
0
Tools in Place
Notes
Score
Entry
It does not seem as though there are regulatory barriers to prevent infected bats from entering the state. As this is a taxon that effects wild populations, entry will be hard to curtail.
0
Control
Means of control are unknown at present.
0
Outreach
It does not seem as though there are outreach programs in place in California.
