Vertebrate pest research needs assessment for California agricultural commodities : final report for Vertebrate Pest Control Research Advisory Committee

Many wildlife species such as the California ground squirrel (Spermophilus beecheyi), pocket gopher (Thomomys spp.), and meadow vole (Microtus spp.) cause extensive damage to a variety of agricultural commodities in California, with estimates of damage in excess of $168 million annually. Controlling these pests is obviously warranted, but the scope of the problem far exceeds our ability to properly address all aspects of the problem. Given a limited availability of resources to solve all human-wildlife conflicts, we should focus our efforts on issues that will provide the greatest benefit to agricultural commodities in Californi